Keep in mind, we have different engines, but I will report back tomorrow. I'll also listen to the N18 Cooper I'll be riding in on the way home and see if her fan is running on high whilst driving.

 

My N18 MCS ran 5 degrees cooler than my N14 JCW, 215 versus 220. Both stayed rock solid at their temps so it has not bothered me.

 

muzal, mmm...please.

iamwiz, no fan activity during motion or after switch-off then I assume, by 'rock solid'...

 

note: whenever you plug or unplug anything into your power outlets,do it when the car is not running.
I work at a dealership and see more cars come in with blown fuses because people plug things in while driving and it arcs out and pops the fuse.

 

N18: Short trip to lunch, a/c running full blast, 90F ambient temp, fan spinning on low and no fan after shut off.

 

I suggest getting a ScanGageII and you will be able to read engine water temperature and other things that are usefull. Without knowing what the engine is doing, it is hard to tell if you have a problem or not. I expect "not". The fan running seems to be the norm for some Minis. I had an '07 and the fan ran a lot, especially after I turned it off. The car ran at 225 degF. It seems that is where the fan turned on. I now have a 2012 and have had the thermastat replaced and it now runs at 215 degF and the fan hardly comes on at all. Of course, if the AC is on, the fan will be on and will stay on after the engine is turned off.

 

On a little bit of a sad note, My Mini has been in the shop again (7500 mi). This time it was for an oil leak from the oil pump solenoid valve. This is low, on the back of the engine a little bit towards the passenger side. You can only see it from under the car. I saw an oil drop on the wire that goes to it and I would smell an oil smoke every once and a while when I would stop. That is problem #2 now (1st was the "no start" thermostat). That is not counting that the dealer had to drop the oil pan to replace the solenoid and the gasket shifted when they put it back together and leaked more oil. It is now back after fixing that. We will see if that goes well.

 

Are these hard to install? Can they damage the car?

I am only considering this because I worry about the engine temp. I hate not haveing a temp gauge. Also hate not being able to check Tranny fluid.

I find these things strange.

 

I'm inclined to agree with this. I did not run the a/c this morning and I had no fans during driving and no fan after shut off. Ambient temp was 71F.

 

Plugs right in and no it won't hurt anything. It uses the sensors that are already in place that talk to the ECU for the idiot lights. It is strange that we do not have water temp. Seems like something that is vital. Is the thinking that the general population has no idea how to use that gauge and only know something is wrong when an idiot light comes on?

 

Hmm...my N18 MCS 'stat's just been replaced + the fan's still coming on after ~10 mls and now staying for ~30s after switch off. Scantool is reporting warmed-up temps in 221 - 225F range as expected.
It's getting warmer here in the UK (24C/75F today) + I can't see this activity decreasing...
I'm sure if I can reduce the temp to 215F then all will be less-frantic fan-wise. Eddie07S how did you get a reduced thermostat? Looking on RealOEM infers there are hot + cold 'stats. I wonder...

 

Did you run the a/c this morning? Just curious...

 

No musak, it's not been warm enough for a/c over here. I have checked that my a/c works, though, thanks.

Interesting you mention this. I've just been picking the brains of a techie working in an independent MINI/BMW workshop. He thinks 90's in celsius (95C=203F in your money) is about right and that a fault code somewhere else (not realised by the dealer) perhaps the a/c could be bringing the fan into default mode. So I'm going back to the dealer again now assuming that they slapped a new 'stat in 'cos they were very busy and sent me on my way thinking it would 'shut me up'....(paranoid but possible)

ps:- Just checked RealOEM + can't find a reference to a cooler 'stat for the MCS. I'm not even sure that 'stats control the coolant now; I suspect they sense the temp + tell the computer which decides to open a switch somewhere...mmm...I wonder if they checked the sensor?

 

My '11 MCS has been good for 13,000 miles. Only 2 issues. First, the hose connection at the coolant tank would leak when you moved the coolant bottle, but stopped as soon as you put it back in it's place. If anyone has this issue the dealer should notice it and fix it when they do your first oil change and if it's like mine it shouldn't leak until the coolant bottle is moved. Second, the hatch/boot lid would unlatch halfway sometimes when I got into the car. Like when you don't get your car door shut all the way. Dealer ordered a new handle/switch assembly and hose assembly and all has been good since. I haven't had any rattle issues and that's after a full stereo upgrade. No coolant temp sensor issues either. The only complaints I have are a dislike for the clutch operation which is just a personal preference, and the softness of the lower torque mount which is easily fixed with the NM inserts.

 

Tried using the a/c as musak suggested. Cooling fan kicked in within a few miles this time + stayed on for the entire journey plus over a minute after switch off; the a/c definitely made it worse!

Embarrassed to have had to re-book it back into the same dealer - but not for 9 days

This can't be normal, surely? I asked if any fault codes could have possibly been missed (eg an a/c fault) + was told primly that all the technicians were fully professional and all checks and tests would have been rigorously performed. (In fact, the air box had been left balancing on the back of the engine un-sited and unscrewed - but I didn't mention this until I got a phone message, just now, saying 'we hope you are completely satisfied with your visit...' I couldn't help but reply that I wasn't, actually!)

I'm beginning to feel 'why me?' Other than that frantic, noisy fan it's great!

 

I was only asking about the a/c to see if that may have been why it was running after shutting off. I didn't use my a/c this morning and I had no fan after shut off. Others are reporting that theirs runs after shut off; if you do a search, you'll find many others saying the same; and your dealer says nothing is wrong. You have 4 years of warranty left and if your car isn't overheating, I wouldn't sweat it.

 

Others are reporting that theirs runs after shut off
But during most of the journey as well? It's loud + obnoxious + spoils the pleasure of a new car!

 

I would not expect that the fan should need to run if the car is in motion... Airflow over the radiator and a slight change in the coolant flow through the Thermostat valve should reduce the temp of the coolant.
If the car is at a standstill, the fan may need to run as there is little air flow over the radiator, so changing the flow through the thermostat won't help much... If you are barelling down the highway, and your cooling fan kicks in, I would suspect there is a fault.

The fan can/does run after shut down if the engine is driven hard prior to shut down - there are sensors in there that the computer monitors, that I can't seem to see on my Garmin (with the EcoRoute HD module). The last KM of my drive to work tends to be a bit spirited - this after a solid run on the highway - stable 103C coolant temp. Despite the spirited run, I do not see higher coolant temps to justify the fan running (in fact I see a drop during the hard driving, followed by a recovery to 103C when I relax - normal function BTW), but it will spin up sometimes! I gather that this function is to help cool the turbo after shut down, to help prevent coking in the oil galleries and bearings - this is in conjunction with the water pump running after shut down every time.
I have also found that idling the engine for 30 seconds or so prior to shutdown ('turbo timer' anyone?) usually prevents the after shutdown cooling fan action. Usually...
Outside air temp also plays a part, but I have had the fan kick on after shutdown on some bitter cold days! -10C on one occasion - I felt bad for Summons, but we did have a fun drive in!

13500 KM on Summons, my 2012MCS - reliability: so far, pretty good - she stumbles and the RPMs wander at idle when the coolant temp is around 35-50C. All good otherwise! BMW didn't find a fault when I complained, but the problem is minor enough that I will continue to "monitor" the problem...
E

 

Thanks Summons (nice name), this is how I think mine should be working and mirrors my two previous R56 MCS'. 103C is around 217F. Less than my measured 226F peak and seemingly critical regarding cooling fan operation. It ties in with another post of replacing the 'stat + losing 10degrees...
I take it you get the fan on with your a/c?

 

I honestly haven't noted if the fan comes on with the A/C - at least not while at cruise. While waiting at lights, yes, the fan does come on with the A/C. I'll turn the radio down this morning while I drive home...
E

PS: "Summons" a reminder to SLOW the @*#$ down! 50KM/H over the speed limit isn't a simple ticket 'round here - it's an automatic summons to court! That was some 10 or 15 years ago - nowadays, they confiscate your car! So I remind myself every day as I get into the drivers' seat... ... ...I still like the name too though!

 

nowadays, they confiscate your car!
Hur..., my constant 'frantic fan' worries are beginning to make me feel desperate enough to warm to that as a solution...

 

Hmmm....
I hear the traffic wombles LOVE to harass you folk - might I suggest a few speed cameras too - just so's you can't afford the car at all!

My ticket/summons cost me over $1000 to deal with, and at the time I was making little more than minimum wage!
Driving became a real luxury, but since then I have to admit, my driving habits have improved somewhat!
About 10 years ago, when I bought my first new car, I also splurged on vanity licence plates... SUMMONS still graces my bumpers as a daily reminder - and it looks good too!
E

 

…'speed cameras' and 'cooling fans' are the two phrases guaranteed to make me overheat or slash my wrists...this may be the last post!

 

I survived.
Just been on a 20 mile trip. Engine fan came on as soon as the car warmed-up and stayed on, temp stayed constant at 226F / 108C. After switching off the fan ran for 60s.
This in the UK with temps building up to the 80s.

 

Mine had this as well, closer to 5000 miles though.