Overheating?

[Tara&Paul]

Picked up our brand new JCW Stage 1 tuned R56 Cooper S this morning and we're very pleased with the car.

However, the "over heating" warning icon has flashed up in yellow about six times. It only stays on for maybe one or two seconds and then goes out. I spoked to our dealer and they were unsure as to why this would happen?

I've checked the coolant level in the expansion tank, it was below the MIN mark when the engine was hot. Is this normal?

I've also noticed that the bonnet is incredibly hot to touch after driving for a while, is this normal as well?

I'm a bit worried as I've been driving the car like a Nun and well keeping below 4500rpm.

Anyone out there had any similar problems?

P & T.

[Paul@1320]

Cant believe you're driving like a nun,see ya Monday.

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

Cant believe you're driving like a nun,see ya Monday.

Hi-ya 1320, yes Ive been doing a great impression of Mother Teressa all day, the needle has stayed below 4500rpm all day which is taking a HUGE amount of self control

Have you got any ideas on the warning light?

P & T.

[SeldomSeen]

I've driven mine (approx 4000 miles) at high speed for a number of hours in Europe and not had any sign of temperature problems

have you been driving it stop start in somewhere with bad traffic like London?

sounds like a trip to the dealers as high temps can do a lot of damage very quickly

mind you, yours is brand new and I can remember how tight mine was for the first 1500 miles, mostly reflected in fuel consumption figures which improved dramatically as the engine was run in

[DerekH]

Tara & Paul the hot bonnet is normal due to location of Turbo the scoup needs more holes and deflecter onto turbo like challenge car, also our car had the light on expansion tank lid had been slack at factory and want came out when hot called out mini emergency service to check all ok ie cylinder head leaks etc all in order had to top up and has been ok since, if you don't wan to drive it call BMW service was out in two hours to us to give us assurance car all ok.

Ps could have been an air lock on water system

[kevkbuk]

Had my S since Janaury and the bonnets do get hot, but never had the problems you describe. Mine has a fully closed hood scoop too, they later changed to them being half opened, but I think that was only due to hood scoops melting...

I'd take it back to the dealer as its only gonna get hotter after the run in period!

[TomUK23]

I picked my JCW up on the 20th, i've done 800 miles and have had it running at 4500 and up to 90mph for periods of 3 hours, no warning lights for me. Although I do have a rattle in the centre of the dash, but I really don't care about that as the car is awesome!

[JG02JSG]

When i took Alison's for a test drive @ woodmans didn't have a problem what so ever apart from i didn't want to give it her back, the only thing i did notice was when i took it back and got out of the car was the cooling down venterlation noise which iam sure everyone gets.

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

Picked up our brand new JCW Stage 1 tuned R56 Cooper S this morning and we're very pleased with the car.

However, the "over heating" warning icon has flashed up in yellow about six times. It only stays on for maybe one or two seconds and then goes out. I spoked to our dealer and they were unsure as to why this would happen?

I've checked the coolant level in the expansion tank, it was below the MIN mark when the engine was hot. Is this normal?

I've also noticed that the bonnet is incredibly hot to touch after driving for a while, is this normal as well?

I'm a bit worried as I've been driving the car like a Nun and well keeping below 4500rpm.

Anyone out there had any similar problems?

P & T.

I checked the coolant level in the expansion tank this morning after the car had been sitting all night. I found that the coolant level was about 15mm below the MIN mark on the expansion tank, so I filled it up with coolant up to the MAX mark.

I drove the car for 160 miles today with a mixture of motorway and town driving and the overheating warning light has not come on so far. Seems as though I've solved the problem? Might have been an air lock etc?

And am I enjoying driving my new car or what! My R50 Cooper with 140bhp was incredible fun to drive, but this.......this is really something else!!!

P & T.

[TomUK23]

You got any pic's to share yet?

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by TomUK23 (original)

You got any pic's to share yet?

Here you go TomUK23....took these when we collected the car, shame it was such bad weather!

Just done over 500 miles simce Friday morning, so only about 750 to go!

P & T.

[Overboost-Rich]

Wow, that is a cool R56, I like the subtle JCW badge on the front grille! I think I will be getting the tuning kit fitted to my MCS soon!

Enjoy your new car, it looks fantastic!

[TomUK23]

Very nice! I like the red with the black roof! Here's my new toy, only 400 miles left for me to go!

[DHA]

Two great looking MINIs

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

Picked up our brand new JCW Stage 1 tuned R56 Cooper S this morning and we're very pleased with the car.

However, the "over heating" warning icon has flashed up in yellow about six times. It only stays on for maybe one or two seconds and then goes out. I spoked to our dealer and they were unsure as to why this would happen?

I've checked the coolant level in the expansion tank, it was below the MIN mark when the engine was hot. Is this normal?

I've also noticed that the bonnet is incredibly hot to touch after driving for a while, is this normal as well?

I'm a bit worried as I've been driving the car like a Nun and well keeping below 4500rpm.

Anyone out there had any similar problems?

P & T.

Found out this morning that the MCS has a very slight coolant leak. Took it back to the dealer as the coolant level in the expansion tank kept dropping, they found small traces of coolant on the left hand side of the grill.

The MCS is going into the workshop one day this week for a cure, so we'll see what happens? Glad the leak was found as I thought I was going mad...again!

P & T.