HELP!!!! Well here we are in the heart of winter and I am coming to realize that my heater really doesnt work...I have it all the way to HI and it trickles luke warm at best.... Can it be the thermostat sticking or a heater core... Input Please

 

Just some random thoughts.

First thing that comes to mind is a really plugged air filter. No airflow. Can you feel the heater hose (I don't even know if it is possible on a mini) and feel the water/hose getting hot? Is there air in the hose (did you open the system recently)

Running a hose through the core would tell a lot, but I am not sure it is easy to do.

 

I will try and burp it tonight....I am pretty sure the colling system needs a flush, the car has 62K for an 02.....it should be about time

 

Heater cores are a fairly common failure.

 

That was it....Heater Core is toast....Ran car to operating temp and laser checked all water hose to find the core was only @ 72 degrees....Sooo Looks like I will be ordering one up tonight...by the way it looks like an easy replacement

 

Especially when they never had the juice changed in 9 years.

 

Ouch!!
lucky it is only a heater core and not a head gasket and radiator too...
Mini's do not use long life coolant, but regular stuff...
The reccomended replacent interval starts at production....and it is 3 or 4 years....and you are about 2x that....