Hi all what temperature should a mini run at. Just got mine running and the temp gauge rises quickly towards 140. It's using an electric gauge through a voltage reg. the top hose is hot to touch. But the bottom isn't all that hot to touch. What could the problem be?

Are you talking degrees F, That's normal. Radiator cools the water down from top to bottom..
However at 140F the thermostat shouldn't be opening yet. Unless you have a 165F/74C one.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Degrees doc the temp sits at about 90 on idle then if I pump the accelerator it climbs towards 140.

Celcus

I can't hear any bubbling as it it's boiling but as soon as it gets near a 120. I turn the engine off. The gauge climbs that high when I've only driven about 1km.

The coolant goes in the top of the radiator, out the bottom and then goes through the block from bottom to top.

Do you have a heater or anything plumbed into the port on the head?

What gauge/sender are you using?

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I'm using a smith electric degrees celcius. Electric sender.

Test the temp at thermostat housing with an infrared thermometer to check gauge calibration.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

How could I check it if I don't have any acces to an infered

I took the temp gauge off my weber BBQ and sat it in where the radiator cap goes. But I couldn't get it to rise up to 70c. The gauge in the car was climbing though. And the radiator was felling hot to touch.

I'm guessing it's not a factory item if it has the temperature numbers on it?

If it's an aftermarket Smiths gauge did it come with a matching sender unit and does it require the voltage at 10V or 12V ?

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I bought the gauge from a mini supplier. I had it wired in professionally a fort night ago new voltage reg fitted. Seemed to work fine up until today.

Try removing the Thermostat to see what happens?

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"Show me the Mini!"

Does not sound like a thermostat problem. Could be a few things "A" gauge is getting too many volts, the sender unit does not match the gauge fitted. You also mentioned the temp rises with engine revs could mean your Alternator is overcharging. Get some professional help before you aggravate the problem by guess work.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

So I bought a infrared themometer. Changed the earth position on the voltage regulator. Tested both the gauge now reads 10-15 degrees warmer then the thermometer. Will speak with my auto elecy tomorrow