Is it an issue to look into if the Radiator Fan runs after parking it after a drive of 20-30 minutes at 35-45 mph, not a hard run? The ambient temp was 70-73 degree F. The coolant level is within the Min/Max level. I'm new to the Mini but I still love it!

 

Since MINIs don't come with an engine coolant temperature gauge (ECT); I'd purchase an inexpensive Foxwell NT530 and pull up "ECT" under DME/Live Data to view coolant temperature. It is possible the engine coolant temperature sensor is lying to the engine computer. The 2010 MINI should run about 205-220 degrees F, and a 20 minute drive is plenty of time to bring the engine up to temperature. OBTW, the MINI uses a MAP controlled thermostat, so if you mash on the gas, the engine computer will say "Hey she wants to go fast; let's open the thermostat to cool off the engine." So driving it hard will actually drop the engine temperature. Steady state driving (like on the highway at 70) is when the engine will reach is operating temp and stay there.)

Another thing I would recommend is the Scangauge II and a mount from Craven Speed; this way you can keep an eye on your ECT, battery voltage, etc.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...2405&gclsrc=ds

https://www.cravenspeed.com/scangaug...r56-2007-2013/

 

Thanks, I'll look into all this, learned something new today!

 

Does the fan come on even if you insert the key and press the start button without depressing the clutch/brake pedal (i.e. without starting the engine) after the car has been sitting for hours and the engine is cold? Does the fan come on immediately after starting the engine, even if the engine was cold?

If so, your temperature sensor is most likely the culprit.

It is correct that coolant temperature is kept at lower higher levels at slow engine revs compared to higher. However, if the fan didn't come on after similar drives in the past, I'd suspect that the temperature reported by the sensor is off limits. The engine ECU responds to such a case by keeping the thermostat open and running the fan permanently, both while the engine is running and for several minutes after engine switch off.

You can check coolant temperature (and a number of different things, too) without having to buy anything: search for "MINI R56 hidden menu", follow the steps and the car will display the temp as reported at real time. It works both with the engine running and without. Make sure you the preconditions are met (IIRC the driver's door must be shut).

If the temperature reported is unreasonably low or high or shows ttt (yes, three "t"s), your temperature sensor is broken. Depending on which revision of thermostat housing your MINI has installed, it may be able to (very) easily replace the sensor by yourself and for little money or the entire thermostat housing needs to be replaced. In the latter case, an adapter cable may also be required.

 

Thanks, it's worth a try. I've only heard the fan run after a drive and the engine is off.