Went and bought a mech temp gauge today due to short in elec system playing with the original gauge. Went to screw plug into the block screw was same size thought to myself great! Something finally working out right. Wouldn't you know it screw to short temp gauge moves in out out of the housing with the screw all the way in! Cracked the sads, swore a bit then decided to install the reconditioned heater core into the heater knowing how hard it is normally to get them out. At least that worked. Beat my old record and didi the heater in and out in 30 mins not 3hrs like last time. Just needed a vent feeling better now! Thanks.

I've had this problem as well, fit it up and give it a try with water in the system. I purchased one of those cheap gauge sets for the clubby and found the same thing, but as they have been fitted to minis for years I persevered and filled her up. Sure enough, no leak and all is fine and dandy.

Give it a try. I fit doesn't work I suppose you can put some copper packing in between the sender and the bushing.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Thanks mick. Shall give it a go in the morning.

went one better today. Went back to pistons auto and saw lindsay who made me an adapter for the gauge to stop the leaks. About to attempt install now. Here goes nothing!

Even my Autometer temp gauge does the same thing, the sender screws into the head but moves in and out of its housing, obviously leaks a sh*t load of water. I had to get an adaptor for mine as well.

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All is good now. Just screwed sender into the new adapter and away we went. The temp sits up at about 160f and will slowly creep up to bout 170-180f in the traffic. I can now run the lights, ipod, heater etc without thinking the car is redlining it's heat level. Makes a huge improvement. Plus when it's cold i now have a heater to keep me warm on the way home at 12am! Woohoo.

Prolly a forum for this but, can you describe how you use your Ipod? Has it a special head unit or something?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.