First, Let me say hi since it has been a while since my last vist I was on my way into NYC today and the temp light went on as the needle hit the top of the gauge. The electric fan was running, the temp would drop down to the half way mark when traffic started to move a bit. Is this a bad thermostat? If so can I change it myself (I have done quite a bit on this car)? Should I be going into the dealership ?
I did not see any steam at anytime and made it out of the city back home without an issue. Any help would be great! Thanks in advance.

 

coolant loss?

 

nope But the needle was as high as she goes!

 

there was no coolant loss? than it's probably a sticky thermostat. is the car still under warranty? if so, why not take it in?

 

You should be able to change it. Do a search on it for a step by step I just saw one not to long ago. Bleed the system of air when done and remember if it starts to go hot again run your heater on high this will also help cool it. Good luck

 

I am 8k out of warranty. I would have dropped it off if not. I don't even know where the thermostat is located. Like I said I have had my hands in this car many times so if its the thermostat I will change it if I can.

 

I did run the heater full blast and the fan was also going full blast , didn't drop the temp till the car was moving. Maybe the rpms of the water pump created enough pressure to open the thermostat?

 

Anyone have any links to a "how to" change the thermostat? I did a search and did't come up with anything.
Again Thanks guys!

 

i know I read one somewhere. I'll see if I can find it...

 

Thanks!

 

How do you know the electric fan was working? there are 2 speeds on the fan, are you sure both were working???

The thermostats on the MINIs leak a lot. i have replaced many of them, heres a quick guide to help you out!!!

The thermostat is located on the drivers side of the cylinder head. it has a black housing and it's where the coolant cap is on the R50. To change the thermostat this is what you will need to do.

1: If you have a R50 remove the battery and DME(ecu), since you have an "S" I would disconnect the battery in the trunk just to be on the safeside, i have actually forgotten to do that and touched the positive jumper with a wrench lol.

2: Remove the air box and pipe for outside air.

3: Release the pressure from the system by removing the cap off of the reservoir or the filler neck. Please be carefull and not get your hand all burned up. i would rather do it when the engine is cold...

4: once you remove the battery and the air box you will be able to see the thermostat housing on the drivers side of the cylinder head. it has 3 (black) 10mm bolts holding the housing in place. Remove those.

5: you can discoonect the wires around the housing for more space but you dont have to. i find it easier to just remove the plastic hose that runs from the engine to the firewall off of the plate that holds it by the housing.

just pulling that hose from the plate will give you enough slack on the housing to pull it back and remove the thermostat.

6: pull off thermostat and install the new one the same way the old one came out. in case you forgot the way it came out the springs goes inside the head. so imagine taking this thermostat by the tip on the right side and placing the springs inside the cylinder head.



7: Reinstall everything. top off the coolant, bleed the coolant. and start the car. don't go off driving like a maniac, just let it sit and idle and watch the temperature. also check for any leaks while the car is idling. after you are sure the car is ok take it for a spin and see if the temp. is ok.

Good Luck!!!

 

WOW! That is just what I was looking for! Thanks for the details. I will be at it when I get home from work.

Shawn

 

what a great writeup. just curious, what's the stock thermostat's temperature? i'm coming up on mileage and want to change mine, wondering if i should get the m7 180-deg one

 

I'm not sure about the MINI but in most BMW's if you have the a/c on it defaults the radiator fan to high. doesn't matter what the temp is set on just hit the a/c button. that will help cool if you're in a pinch.

 

on minis with the ac on you will get the stage 2 working also.

 

if i'm not mistaken is 210 F. somebody correct me if i'm wrong!!!

OOPS i was corrected by K-Huevo. the thermo's temp rating is 195 degrees F.

 

i thought w/ the a/c on in our cars the fan automatically turns on at low

 

I heard the fans going yesterday while I was reaching peak temp. When I came to a stop at a light the temp would skyrocket and both fans were running from what I could hear. I am hoping the thermostat was just stuck. Will get into it Friday morning. Also wanted to add that yeserday was my S's 4th birthday with me. What a way to celebrate!

 

no, high. because it has to cool off both the radiator and condenser.

 

Check the water pump, too, if that doesn't work. My gf's XTerra was doing the same thing. I replaced the thermostat, but it didn't fix the problem. Dealer replaced the water pump along with timing belts, and that fixed the overheating. Not sure how to diagnose a water pump, but check for bearing play and leaks. Wiggle the pulleys. Her engine got a lot quieter, too.

Toss the new thermostat in a pot of boiling water to see if it opens, too. Sometimes you get a bad one.

 

roadcarnicalicious,

we're talking about the radiator fans in the engine bay not the blower fans for the hvac.

 

Was the problem resolved by changing the thermostat? I had the same problem yesterday.

 

How many miles are on your Mini?

 

remember the waterpump on the S is attached to the back of the S/C. The sometimes go at about 100k. it's one hell of a job to replace. If you're ever in the engine be sure to change the S/C oil. BMW calls it life time oil but search for "water pumps going out" on here and see what you think.

 

Is there a reason why? Anything that can be done to prevent it in the future when you replace one? Any driving habits that will keep one from leaking?

I'm at 53,000 miles now and mine has started leaking, this isn't something I want to replace every 50,000 miles.