26 replies to this topic

[Jumpinjacks]

My mini seems to get quite hot while I'm on the bypass. When I go about 60 - 70 mph all the time for longer journeys the guage seems to go up and the other day was in the red, Today it went up to nearly on the red, is this normal? It's never been as bad for it to be steaming or anything but I was wondering if there is a way to see if the fan actually works? because when I am just gong around town and things the guage sits at just over half way but as soon as I hit the open road it creeps up. Is this the fan not working or what else do you think it could be?

[miniboo]

if the engine is running the fan is turning!!!

unless you mean the wing mounted thermostatic one fitted to later minis?

is your thermostat in the head opening?

[Jumpinjacks]

if the engine is running the fan is turning!!!

unless you mean the wing mounted thermostatic one fitted to later minis?

is your thermostat in the head opening?

The fan on the radiator

[Jordie]

jack what year and engine is your car?

[Jumpinjacks]

jack what year and engine is your car?

Its a Mayfair 998cc engine and is a 1986

[Bounce]

The fan on the radiator

Engine side or wheel side of the radiator?

[miniboo]

i think an 86 mayfair 998 has just the standard fan.

if it is attached to t he engine and it goes round when th ecar is runnung then it aint a fan problem

[Jordie]

right. Well unless its been modified

Your fan is attached to the engine. When the engine is running, the fan is turning.

I would suggest you check your water level.

Check the level, if need topping up, add enough so it comes just about the fins as u look into the cap.
Leave the cap off and run the engine. Let the engine run for about 15-20mins and keep an eye on the temp guage. When the temp reachs normal, check the water level.

By leaving the cap off, this allows any trapped air to circulate and escape at this point. Touch the hoses and make sure each hose is getting warm, there may be a blockage somewhere if not.

If the water level as dropped as the air as escaped. Top up as required. NOTE.....dont pour cold water/coolant straight into the hot engine/radiator. Its best to let it cool down first.

DONT FORGET TO REPLACE THE CAP!!!!!

Then give it another try, if its better then bingo.
If not, come back and report to us and we'll suggest more you can try such as thermostat.

Edited by Jordie, 30 November 2006 - 10:25 PM.

[Jumpinjacks]

The fan on the radiator

Engine side or wheel side of the radiator?

Engine side.
I take it this isn't common then?

[miniboo]

what isn't common?

[Jordie]

Common with any car really.

My diesel mondeo was always a big when changing coolant, would take, what seemed a decade to work the air out of that.

[Jumpinjacks]

what isn't common?

I mean that the guage doesn't go up and down on all minis like this.
I did notice the first time when I said it went into the red there was no water left in the rad, So I topped up and it doesn't seem to have gone down since doing it but I will try running as said with the cap off and see what happens.
So basically the fan which is on the rad should be spining when the engine is running at all times yeah?

[Big_Adam]

[attachment=23126:attachment]

just to help with any confusion.

[Jordie]

yeah.

And by running. I mean ENGINE IDLING. not been driven. Never drive the car with the rad cap off, or you will loose all your fluid and overheat.

[Jumpinjacks]

Ok guys I will try this out tomorrow and see what happens to the water level. Sorry for sounding dumb about all this but I dont do a great deal of mechanics