Ok, this just started happening yesterday and I'm at a total loss...
My '03 mini (standard) is taking forever to start blowing warm air, which in itself is unusual. She usually warms up nicely even on the coldest of days here in Rhode Island.
Anyway...I work in Boston and traffic going to and from work can be...time consuming. Today, I'm sitting in traffic and the heater starts blowing cold I happen to glance down and notice that my engine temp gauge is sitting damn near the top ! As we inch along I notice the temp gauge drops...stop for a minute and it starts moving back up. After traffic begins moving in earnest again, temp gauge settles in the middle mark and I get heat from the heater again.
Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to check my coolant levels...may do that at lunch time.
I'm leaning toward a stuck thermostat, but this is a Mini after all...
I have an appointment with my garage tomorrow.
Anybody else ever have this issue?
Any ideas? Please feel free to chime in, I'd like to know what I might be in for.

Thanks!

 

Sounds like a leak. Some areas that are easy to spot is the coolant expansion tank ( MINI Cooper S ) or the leak near the thermostat housing ( MINI Cooper Non S & MINI Cooper S).

What Model do you have , I see you have an 2003?


Thanks

 

Just a standard Cooper...non-S model
FWIW...I haven't noticed any drops on the ground in my parking space at work or in my driveway.

 

Yup I'll vote thermostat, loss of circulation will cause both those problems.

 

I guess the million dollar question is now...is this safe to drive 55 miles back to RI like this? I don't want to damage the engine.

 

Cooper ( non S ) thermostat looks like this and is located on the side of the engine towards the driver side. Here is what everything looks like.



#12 in the diagram Part # 11537596787


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES514854__ES2702793__ES2018337/




&

#10 in the diagram , which i recommned replacing if you change the thermostat.

Thermostat Housing W/ Cap

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537829959/



&

#13 is the bolts x 3 Bolt - Priced Each


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07131486714/




And the coolant is here:

MINI Antifreeze / Coolant - 1 Gallon ( 3.79L ) Which you mix 50/50 with distilled water.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82140031133/ES196253/



I don't want you to overheat the engine, now you know where to look at . I would get this checked out asap.

 

Check the coolant level yet....
So simple to do....simpler than starting a thread....not fun to do in the cold..but just like adding gas or checking your oil, 100% nessasary as cars age a bit....
Driving with a failed thermostat...if that is the issue is like rolling the dice...
Just be sure to pullover and STOP before a full blown steam spewing overheat...that can get costly...costing you a head gasket, head or even a motor.

 

P.S.
Ever hear the radiator fan run....
You CAN have the PS fan sieze.... It will blow a 5 amp fuse that disables the radiator fan (due to the wiring of the relay)...resulting in overheating when the car stops moving....
While this would not result in no heat...it would not be uncommon to have a low coolant level WITH a blown PS fan pump fuse...very common for either/both.