So twice now on a long journey our SMax has cut out with an engine malfunction warning. The garage looked at it after the first occurence and basically came up empty.

 

It happened about 2-3 months ago, and happened again (second time) over the weekend (after 2hrs of driving):-

- Engine cut out/stopped and an Engine Malfunction was reported on the dash.

- A misty/foggy whitish vapour could be seen coming up from the rear of bonnet at the bottom of the windscreen.

- Engine is not over heating (at least according to temp gauge).

- Engine would restart but would cut out again randomly (even at idle) with Enginer Malfunction.

- Engine could then (at times) be lumpy. eg: When driving it onto rear of recovery vehicle it was lumpy and on the verge of stalling.

- Once cool/later it seems fine again, and indeed is perfectly drivable.

 

To me, the small amount of misty fog coming up at the bottom of the windscreen/rear of bonnet must surely be a significant bit of evidence as to the cause?

 

Any suggestions from knowledgable folks?

Note: On the second occurence of this issue, the coolant level was very low! It was down to just an inch or so. I can't say if this was a recent thing or been happening over a long period. But the car has been regularly service and schecked after the previous occurence of this problem a couple of months ago.

 

So it could well be coolant plays a part in this matter? eg: Maybe the mist/fog when it happens is coolant?