9 replies to this topic

[oldzimmer]

Hi Guys , mini Mini HL  1982 temp gauge is looking bit on high side .

 

Went couple of miles to day and saw this on gauge , also upon checking the radiator cap and cap on top of cylinder head was too hot to touch

 

Any help would be appreciated

 

Couple photos attached. 

Attached Files

•  temp.jpg   39.06K   0 downloads
•  fan.jpg   63.36K   3 downloads
•  ENGINE.jpg   80.21K   7 downloads

[oldzimmer]

Any Classic mini garages in Leeds Area that i could maybe have a look at this .

[lippo]

Thoroughly flush the rad and heater matrix. Use glycol based antifreeze and distilled water to refill. Make sure there are no air pockets in the system. I'm not sure your fan is on the right way round.

 

[imack]

Several things to note:
The gauge is only a guide and will go up and down depending whether the engine is working hard or decending a hill.
We get used to the gauges in modern cars just indicating 90° whether its sub zero or +40°C outside. Modern gauges a set by the manufacturer to sit at the 90° mark so as not to alarm the driver. Have a look at the live data on a scan tool and you'll see tem rising to about 105/6° before the fan cuts in but the gauge will still be reading a steady 90°.
Use an infrared temp gun aimed at the thermostat housing to get an accurate idea of what is normal 90° on your gauge and make a mental note of the needle position.
Also, your fan is fitted backwards, this will cause a slight reduction in its cooling ability.

[roblightbody]

You've taken the photo from a funny angle - looking down on the gauge, that might make it look worse than it is.

[Midas Mk1]

Any Classic mini garages in Leeds Area that i could maybe have a look at this .

Ado Restoration not far away in Halifax specialise in all things Mini, be happy to help.

[clubman_dan]

As above, the needle will move more than on newer cars, especially in traffic or under load when it’s warm.
Having said that mine was nudging the red zone when I first got it, the radiator was really blocked with debris/scale. I replaced the radiator and have not had any issues since.

I drained the coolant and I could see the blocked channels in the old radiator once I removed the cap.

Something to look into if it is actually getting too hot

[ADRay]

my 82 was overheating as well a few years back. Antifreeze was a constant brown color. I replaced the original radiator with an aluminum one. (I also deleted the heater, but I don’t think it matters.) No problems since then.

[clubman_dan]

Deleting the heater would make things worse since it’s essentially another little radiator

[Stevie W]

The fan does appear to be on the wrong way round, this won't help matters.

 

The "dished" side of the fan boss should face the water pump pulley.

 

Nice looking engine bay though!

 

Regards, Steve.

Edited by Stevie W, 13 June 2025 - 04:12 PM.