Note to self: don't forget to check fluids once in a while

We can get SO complacent with our MINIs ... all those lights and computer warnings . . .

Took the 79 out for a ride and after about 30 minutes seemed it was running a bit warmer than usual .... then sitting at a stop light temp went up a good bit ...... hmm, headed for home taking it easy and trying to keep moving as temps stayed near normal as long as I was moving ... (air flow)

Got it into the garage and removed the bonnet to allow max cooling and checked temps with a 'laser thermometer' and things were a wee bit warmer than they should ..... but cooled down quickly .... and not into danger levels.

Once cool ... DUH ... probably a pint low in the rad' ........ NO EXCUSE SIR ......

FORTUNATELY I saw this quickly on the water temp gauge .... I know some classic owners who've no idea what those lil dials are saying!!!!

dodged a bullet I fired at myself.

 

Nice save Cap. It is easy to get complacent, and we're all guilty it occasionally.

 

I put whiteboards in my garage to help me keep track of all the fluid checks and changes for all my vehicles. Has helped me make sure I keep tabs on all of them.

 

actually I do that for the 'scheduled' stuff

what I got lazy on here was a pre-drive check on the toy that doesn't go out very often .... things that should get checked once a month or so ..... but become overlooked if you don't check every time the toy goes out.

Along the same line I was a lil annoyed earlier this year when the battery wasn't holding a charge and I thought "it is only a few years old .. 4 year warranty huh .... I'll show them" .... when I finally pulled the battery to head to the part store and found the sticker that told me the battery was EIGHT YEARS OLD! Not too bad for a Florida (heat) car . . .

 

I'd be wondering where the coolant went?

Glad you caught it before it could do any damage.

 

valid question ... where does it go???

I monitor the 'drips' under the car pretty closely - altho allowing this situation suggests otherwise! Normally 8 hours of drive time and I'll need to add an ounce or two of coolant and about the same amount of motor oil. I don't see any signs of coolant leaks and the oil has zero signs of water intrusion. When it started to get hot it may have blown a lil extra out the overflow causing the unusually low level. I topped off and have checked the level each day since and it hasn't changed so there's no 'cold' leak. Wouldn't surprise me if there's some minor drip from the water pump when running. I cleaned the areas and will be watching for new wetness.

It may be a good excuse to splurge on a new rad' and hoses tho . . . .

 

Any suggestions for how to keep white board markers working for any decent length of time? I swear they dry out in less than a week...

 

my markers are several years old ...... but I keep 'em in a zip lock when not using

 

As do I! Maybe I just need to buy better quality ones.

 

or just use a sharpie and write on a piece of masking tape stuck to the board . . .

 

If you go with an aluminum radiator ( I've bought several Chinesiums off Ebay for $60 shipped!) you'll never have a hot running problem either. Oh, and be sure to get the deep impeller pump. I like the MiniSpares Evo pump.....