Tempreture gauge help please?

[Samini6892]

Hi All,

ive got a 2001 MINI Cooper, and i just wondered if it was normal that my tempreture guage sits just under the first bar and when its idling in traffic it moves up to just under the second bar then goes down again when im out of traffic.

Also my heaters dont seem to get as hot as any of my friends cars and some of them have 1998 cars.

If anybody could help this would be great thanks in advance

Sam

[cristo]

The temp gauge gradually goes up to 1/2 way as temperature increases to about 75 C. It stays exactly on
halfway from about 75 C to 125 C, then if the temperature increases above 125 C (which it shouldn't ever do
under normal circumstances), it raises up further and eventually the light will go on as well.

You can get the coolant temp in degrees centigrade to display on your odometer under menu item 7.0
by using this trick - look about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down the page at
"How to show RPM, Fuel Level, Speed and more on your Odometer Digital Display" :

MINI2 - MINI Forum - FAQ & DIY: Interior and In Car Entertainment

[Samini6892]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo (original)

The temp gauge gradually goes up to 1/2 way as temperature increases to about 75 C. It stays exactly on
halfway from about 75 C to 125 C, then if the temperature increases above 125 C (which it shouldn't ever do
under normal circumstances), it raises up further and eventually the light will go on as well.

You can get the coolant temp in degrees centigrade to display on your odometer under menu item 7.0
by using this trick - look about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down the page at
"How to show RPM, Fuel Level, Speed and more on your Odometer Digital Display" :

MINI2 - MINI Forum - FAQ & DIY: Interior and In Car Entertainment

Thanks But mine never goeas above half thankfully!!! any idea about why my heater aint hot? and mine dont run at 1/2 like you said it stays at the 1/4 mark any clue why?

[cristo]

Sounds like you probably need a new thermostat.
I'm assuming your coolant level is normal (between min and max on the tank).
A clogged heater cor (blimey) could make your heat sub par, but wouldn't account for the low reading on the temp gauge.

[Samini6892]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo (original)

Sounds like you probably need a new thermostat.
I'm assuming your coolant level is normal (between min and max on the tank).
A clogged heater cor (blimey) could make your heat sub par, but wouldn't account for the low reading on the temp gauge.

Yeah Cheers mate i had my rad replaced when it developed a leak. and they checked all the system and the sytem flows properly and my coolant level is between min and max so i reckon its a thermostat thats alot....what does heat sub par mean??

Thanks again

[cristo]

means you heating output is less than what it should be or sub par.

[Samini6892]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo (original)

means you heating output is less than what it should be or sub par.

Cheers Mate any idea how i can fix this?

[cristo]

I'd try replacing the thermostat. You need a new gasket, too, which should come with the thermostat.
While you're doing that, check if there's any leak or seepage between the thermostat housing and
the cylinder head, and if so (fairly common occurance on an older mini), replace that, too (about $40 or 25 GBP
for the housing, about $30 or 20 GBP for the thermostat and gasket). If you replace the housing, I'd get
new clips for the hoses that attach to the housing, and also check the condition of those old hoses, and replace
ones that are cracked, leaking, or look bad.

You have to remove the battery, battery box, and ecu to easily get to that part of the car, but then it's only
3 bolts to remove the thermostat housing and get to the thermostat. Replacing the thermostat should get your
temperature up to half way on the gauge and should improve your heat.
If it doesn't, then you may have a blocked or partially blocked heater core, which is a bit more of a job to replace.