hey all, another question time,

the previous owner told me the car should be fine even up to 200f or 220f (if not too long) I think 200 is 93c? 210 is 96? but 220 seems to be 104?

at what point should I start worrying? like lets say I'm stuck in traffic. Earlier it got up to about 200f. I had the rad full with coolant so I was expecting it to purge out a bit. i could smell a bit of coolant on the highway after that.

got home and decided to put some water over the rad before i shut it off. Now I've noticed that when the engine is warmer the idle goes slightly lower too. so while i had the hose over the radiator and it was still warm the engine was idling low and died. started it up and it ran ok apart from idling low. its ok with the choke on though.

I did notice a very slight white smoke coming from the exhaust. (i seriously hope to sweet jesus i havent cooked it. ) I dont think I have. dont see any coolant in the engine oil. Dont see any coolant on the floor. It was just idling low. although even on normal drives I could smell the same smell but didnt really notice the smoke.


But yes, what temp should I start worrying? am i even fine to sit in traffic? or should I look into getting an aux fan or go electronic water pump or the likes? I'm planning on driving the car most of the week to work. i just want to make sure I dont have dramas when i'm stuck in traffic in this summer heat.

Those temperatures are fine. Water won't boil in a radiator at 100 degrees celsius because the pressure and antiboil delays the boiling point. I believe this is above 104, but might be as high as 108 (?).

Running at 93 degrees isn't a problem either, better to be below that in summer in case you get stuck in a jam and need a bit of room to move, but I have a 93 deg thermostat in my Cooper S engine for example.

In any case, on a day like today your car held it together.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Yeah. Went out to see and it's all one now. So I suppose so long as I don't sit on 220f or higher I'll be fine. I'm just worries about being stuck in traffic. I might change the thermostat too to be sure. Maybe put a thermo fan in the future for traffic.

Is there a point in putting a small expansion tank?

A thermo fan is great if your using it as a daily and having to deal with traffic, hook it up to a switch and flick it on when needed, personally I like the ones with the switch that slides inside the rad hose.

If your concerned about cruising temps you can always put an aux radiator in. A heater core works perfect and you will be amazed the difference it makes.

An expansion tank is a good idea too and easily hidden in the wheel arch if you dont want to see it.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

Definitely, the expansion tank is the key. It won't prevent overheating by itself, but indirectly it stops your mini losing water, and returns it to the radiator as the temperature cycle goes down again once you start moving. My expansion tank (a brass Morris 1100 unit) is mounted up under the passenger arch. My last three minis have had one up under there without a fault. Rocks don't bother the brass tanks.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/A ... C04042.jpg

Checking coolant becomes a once every season check.

Along with a 93 degree thermostat, you can get an 83 degree thermostat, and a 73 as well.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

do you know where I can grab one of those brass ones? is it as simple as bolting it on and routing the hose into it??

That one is a moke expansion tank, check out ebay for second hand ones they are the best to use but you can use anything from a coke bottle to washer bottle. Just route the hose into the top if its a bottle and make sure it is an air tight seal.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

no worries If I havent found any yet I may just make use of an old soda bottle first lol