12 replies to this topic

[ClintonCards]

So, I've done a bit of digging in the forum and I'm just after someone to agree really. My little mini past it's MOT only a week ago. I made sure all the levels were up for the test - standard. However, the cars been overheating since, today was the highlight, went all the way beyond the red, after only 15mins of easy driving. So I open the bonnet, and theres a bit of smoke, I then open the oil Filler cap, and theres a fair amount. The engine is very hot and smells of burning. I'm hoping as there's no mayo on the inside of the cap that it's not the head gasket and rather an airlock in the rad, my heater isn't working either only discovered today, as I haven't needed it. I'm going to check the rad, run it with the cap off and heater on, and squeeze the tubes, does this sound about right or is there something else I could check? I have very little time tomorrow before work.

[nicklouse]

so whats the oil level now?

[ClintonCards]

Oil levels fine. It's not down performance wise either.

[nicklouse]

no heat from the heater is a sign of low water level.

[ClintonCards]

Yeah, I wasn't able to check that due to it being so hot, by the time it cooled it was pitch black, but ill defo be checking in the morning. The smell and smoke was what concerned me most, as I think if it was the head gasket, I'd be taking it off the road for a fair while.

[ClintonCards]

Nothing in the rad, it's leaking, I just filled it and could see it dripping onto the sub, it's a severe leak, but atleast I know I need to get a new rad.

[Rorf]

Blocked thermostat causing over heating then causing leaking and maybe a system full of corrosive water which caused all your problems to start with. To get the oil so hot means you probably started of driving with no coolant in the system.

 

Luckily minis have cast iron blocks and cylinder head so you might just get away with a new head gasket.

 

What model mini do you have?

[sledgehammer]

I would do a compression test as well , overheating can cause head gasket problems 

 

water pump & thermostat should also be checked

 

hopefully you haven't baked it too badly , as above cast iron is quite tough

 

always wondered if there was a simple way to do coolant level sensor ?

Edited by sledgehammer, 02 August 2017 - 08:48 AM.

[dyshipfakta]

Replace the oil too. If it got that hot it will be spent.

[ClintonCards]

I've got a 1994 mini 35, it had a rubbish cheapo radiator in it, which I've been meaning to swap out, so shouldve done it sooner. I'll get a new 'stat when I order the rad from minispares, and I'll be doing an oil change too.

[DomCr250]

If you have a way of doing a compression test then give it a go as suggested above.  

 

850's and 998's can take a lot of punishment and low coolant levels before anything bad occurs (seen them melt the plug caps and still be fine), so fingers crossed it's just a new rad, refill and away you go.

[Dusky]

There is hot and then there is hot.
Smoke out the oil filler cap can be water vapour, especially as if seems to be the first time on the road in a while?

[ClintonCards]

It's my daily, so it's about all the time, does about 20miles a day everyday roughly. It seems to be running OK, save for the temperature rise, FYI I haven't been driving it today, have ordered a new rad, stat, and stat gasket, so hopefully when that's lots in we'll see. There's a garage a few doors down from me however he's on holiday, and not back for over a week, so ill get him to test it when he's back, but the rad will be going in this weekend providing it arrives from minispares in time. Thanks all for the advice, I had a sleepless night thinking about it being the head, fingers crossed it's not.