51 - Help! Engine temperature straight into red!

[ST-One]

Hi guys, need some help urgently. Theres similar issues on the forum, but not quite like mine.

I've driven about 15miles today, the car has been on and off from about 4.30 - 6pm. Was driving home (1 mile down the road), and everything was normal, then I clocked the engine temp in the red! I pulled over straight away, opened the bonnet... wasn't really hot. Coolant was below "low", so I needed to top up. I left her for about 5min and started her back up... the needle was back in the middle again.

Strange, so I stopped off to pick up some food, started her back up... all is fine. Started driving home, then after about 500 meters, it shot back up to red. I was only a minute from my house so I took it slow, put the heaters on.

Got home and put some coolant in, started her and it goes straight into the red... the red light flashes (top of the gauge) and now the fan comes on under the bonnet.

So I let her rest for around 3 hours, came out and only turned the key one click (did not start the engine) and the needle shoots straight into the red. I start the car, the needle sits low where it should be for around 2 seconds, then it shoots straight to red and the fan comes on again

I'll check in the morning whether theres still water in the bottle, but surely the engine isnt maxed out after just starting the engine. Do I have a sensor issue perhaps after the heavy rain/wind? Oil and everything seems fine, no white spots, at a good level etc.

Any help appreciated, I dont want to drive her to the mini garage and risk warping the head if it does overheat.

Thank you!

[mab01uk]

If no leaks, no system air locks, no excessive heat under bonnet, coolant is topped up and stays between Min and Max it would sound like a possible coolant temperature sensor problem which is maybe giving a false gauge reading and is also telling electric fan to cut in early.
Does the heater continue to blow hot..........if it only starts blowing cold it normally indicates water level is very low and is a warning to switch off engine.

[ST-One]

thanks for the tips mab01uk, I will check when I get home tonight. Took the other halfs car to work, didnt want to risk it. Annoyingly theres a mini garage 30 seconds from where I work, but don't want to drive it 7miles out here just in case.

will update later this evening. thanks again.

[ST-One]

No fluid leaking, air locks etc. Cars currently in mini garage having its coolant sensor replaced. Turns out its come loose/faulty. £140 fix apparently as they need to remove the battery and battery chassis (might have to drill it out as well due to corrosion). Will hopefully get her back this afternoon.

Had a type 1 service on her as well (BMW Mini Silverlink North Shields) doing a deal for £160 from about £300 (they might have seen me coming :s ), found out its going to be an expensive month! Discs and pads on the front (£180), pads on the back. Brake lines are corroded (£400), seized headlight motors... didn't even ask how much they were. Nightmare