15 replies to this topic

[Masoa010]

I've found over the last few days and the weathers been super hot, that my engine seems to get hot and overheat more then normal, I just wondered what the best way to keep it cooler was? i wondered about moving the duckting pipe from the air filter to the to where the hot air from the exhaust comes off and extending it to the front next to the grill?

[Algordo1100]

Fresh air is good for your engine as its cooler than air under the bonnet, therefore denser, so you will get ever so slightly more air in and it may run better. It wont effect your engine temp noticably at all.
All that heat is coming from the fact that you are exploding petrol. that heat goes to the block, then the water, then to the air and away via the radiator. if the ambient temp is up (lovely weather) Then any inefficiencies in your cooling system are going to show as overheating because the air going through the rad is warmer, so it takes less of the heat from the water away with it (sort of)

If you are overheating, then your best bet is to check out the condition of all your cooling bits first, before making any modifications. You may have an issue somewhere that this weather is highlighting (like a sticking thermostat for example)

Al

[minibarnerz]

New thermostat, check the rad for damage and your fan is on the correct way around. Top up water with decent anti-freeze. Minis shouldn't overheat just because it's warmer outside.

[Masoa010]

Okay, ill have a check, see if anythings looking dodgy , thanks

[jaydee]

If yours a standard engine, and not highly tuned, it shouldnt overheat in warm days. I'd check the the thermostat (sometimes they get stuck or clogged) and flush the old coolant for some fresh new coolant/water mix, while youre at, its easy to remove the rad and give it a good clean :)

[Ethel]

What do you mean by overheat? Does it boil over, suffer from pre-ignition or run on?
If it's just the needle on the gauge, it isn't overheating - but it is worth investigating.

If you have the original air filter it should automatically switch between hot & cold air intakes, bu it wouldn't be a bad idea to remove flappy valve thingy for summer as it's a bit of an airflow disaster.

[Masoa010]

yeah its all standard, the needle on the gauge is normally at halfway but its been going over that especially when im waiting at lights or in traffic, whats the easiest way to empty the cooling system and re fill it? i havn't got the heater in at the moment so the 2 pipes are just joined together under the dash.

[jaydee]

Remove rad cap, open heater valve, remove rad bottom hose and coolant will drain out of it..
Detaching the heater hose from the cylinder head will make the draining process faster and helps to fill up without creating nasty airlock in the system.

[purple_fly06]

put in a dual core radiator

[Ethel]

A properly functioning cooling system should show a steady temperature once it's warmed up - it could be the thermostat doesn't close properly so it never warms up fully in colder times. Have you got a valve on the heater plumbing? Try closing/blocking it so all the water has to go through the radiator instead. Remove the bottom hose from the radiator to drain.

[Masoa010]

A properly functioning cooling system should show a steady temperature once it's warmed up - it could be the thermostat doesn't close properly so it never warms up fully in colder times. Have you got a valve on the heater plumbing? Try closing/blocking it so all the water has to go through the radiator instead. Remove the bottom hose from the radiator to drain.

Havn't a clue about the valve, where will it be?

[jaydee]

The 'warm air' pull knob in the cabin.

[Midas Mk1]

My MInispares 'super cool' 2 core rad is rubbish, is hardly better than my original item, having to fit an additional electric fan this evening.
The cooling system is clean,free of any 'clogs', is running correct (not lean) , and thermostat works correctly too.....

Really wish Id gone for a Thermex rad

[SolarB]

My MInispares 'super cool' 2 core rad is rubbish, is hardly better than my original item, having to fit an additional electric fan this evening.

I've got a Minispares two core rad with the standard mechanical fan and my temperature gauge sits at half way. In summer traffic jams it gets a little hotter but nothing to worry about. An additional fan might not achieve much if the cooling system is faulty.

[Midas Mk1]

My MInispares 'super cool' 2 core rad is rubbish, is hardly better than my original item, having to fit an additional electric fan this evening.

I've got a Minispares two core rad with the standard mechanical fan and my temperature gauge sits at half way. In summer traffic jams it gets a little hotter but nothing to worry about. An additional fan might not achieve much if the cooling system is faulty.

Everythings been checked, new genuine water pump, all new hoses, thermostat, heater and temp sender checked, it sits fine, just under half way in normal use, but soon as traffic occurs it creeps up, even with the heater on full....\