My coolant has always run around the 220F mark, untill I had the head gasket replaced, and then the temp would never get above 185F - 190F, like the thermostat was stuck open. I havent driven the Mini in quite a while, but took it out yesterday when it was about 103 degrees out. The car got up to 220F, and stayed there till I turned on Max A/C, and the thermostat opened and the temp dropped down to around 186F as it normally would.

Drove it again this morning when it was a little cooler out and the car didnt want to get up to temp after driving for at least 15 minutes. I stopped at a gas station for a few minutes and drove again and the car finally came up to temp (220F), I turned on Max A/C and the thermostat opened and the temp dropped as it should.

Its like the car doesnt want to get up to temp and I cant figure out why. 220F seems to be the norm for these cars, and its where my car ran all the time unless Max A/C was turned on. The thermostat was not messed with or replaced when the head gasket was replaced, and the temp sending unit is new. Everything seems to be working as it should, the car just doesnt want to get up to 220F anymore.

Thoughts?

 

If you use sport button the fan trigger points and coolant temp changes. Sport mode will kick on the fan at ~199. Sport off will kick it on ~219. If your thermostat was stuck open or opening to early you will get a check engine light and fault code. The R56 thermostats are know for sticking open and giving you the generic fault code of P0128.

 

Hmm, I knew turning the fan to high/turning on max a/c would open the thermostat, but I didnt know the sport button would change things too, but it makes sense. But, I never drive with the sport button off, and the thermostat will not open till the car has hit 220F...its obvious when it opens, the temp drops very fast.

At least I know the thermostat works, glad I dont have to replace it. Im driving the car to work tomorrow, I'll keep the sport mode off and see what that does.

 

Mine generally runs 220º - 225ºF in sport mode. This is with a new thermostat and water pump installed within the last 1K miles.

 

180F cooling in sport mode is only for 2013 models, IIRC. Mine is 180F in sport mode.