14 replies to this topic

[Dom]

what causes overheating?

because i may have a problem with my mini.

[Teapot]

Water pump ok?
Blocked/damaged radiator?
Fanbelt slipping?
Timing out?

[Guess-Works.com]

and lack of water !

[tipcat]

Water pump ok?
Blocked/damaged radiator?
Fanbelt slipping?
Timing out?

Thermostat?
Broken fan?
I think you need to be more specific - what's the problem, when does it happen, that sort of stuff!

[Dom]

well i wasnt too sure if it was a problem.

i thought it had been overheating as during the day my fan was constantly on but was that due to it being a hot day or was there a problem? i had a look at the fan etc there doesnt seem to be a problem.

ive just got back from a drive, its a lot cooler now and there was not problem, could it just be because it was a hot day?

i didnt notice this last summer, one day it was extremely hot and the fan came on but it seems odd that at this time of year it comes on.

[Bungle]

I have a cooper carb like you and have owned mine from new

When i first had mine the fan never came i even tested once .

then after about 5-6 years it started coming on if the temp went above 1/2 way

about 12-13 years old it started coming on at 1/2 way

now its 15 years old it comes on just under 1/2 way

I think the thermostat is on its way out and has been doing so slowley

maybe at 18 years old i will need a new one

[Sam]

Dom, was looking through your pictures in projects, and you just have the standard fan, not an electric one- so your fan is always on no matter how hot/cold it is.

Pic here

[Bungle]

no 1990 cooper carb has 2 fans engine driven one and electric fan in wheel arch .

[Dom]

i thought it had 2 as one is always on and then the other kicks in when it gets over halfway.

i think you are right 'bungle' the thermostat must be on its way out.

[psycho mini driver]

yeah, replace thermostat, mine went and it overheated in snow! lol. had been meaning to do it for ages! but be warned, be prepared, have all the bits and leave a good day (pref 2 just incase) as it can be a real b*&£h to do!! the housing and studs corrode and are pain to get out. its ok to get the stunds out the head though, so just replace it all!

[Bungle]

I ment the electric stat for the fan not the water one if its only the fan coming on early

[Dom]

err... now confused, can someone elxplain

[Bungle]

theres one stat in the head replace this one if the water temp is high

and theres a electrical stat for the fan replace this if the fan comes on to soon

[Dan]

It's a thermic switch and it could be in the thermostat housing or in the bottom of the rad depending on exactly which car you have.

If your engine thermostat was dodgy then you'd get other signs like an incredibly hot heater or a boiling rad. Keep an eye on the temp gauge and if the gauge works and doesn't go above normal but the fan still comes on then you need a new thermic switch.

[Bungle]

it screws in to thermostat housing near the top look for the two wires coming out of it .