First, I noticed that a radiator fan was spinning at top speed for 1-2 minutes after I shutdown my car. It's been doing that occasionally for a couple of weeks. Then, I had the overheating while idling at stop lights problem. The heater blows cold air when that happens. Of course, when I start moving again, the temp comes down to normal and the heater starts working again.

I do have coolant in my overflow tank. It's not a lot. From reading other posts here, I don't think low coolant causes it. I've read that it can be due to a bad thermostat or a blown F5 fuse. I can't find any blown fuses. But there are more posts blaming the PS pump fan. I don't think that's the issue since I have an October 05 built 2006. And someone said that the resistor assembly in the main fan is the culprit. The dealer sometimes replaces the whole fan assembly, I guess.



I'm still under warranty. I think the earliest I can get to the dealer is Friday. I'm a little worried about using the car between now and then. Is this an emergency? Can I safely drive my car 3.5 miles to work and the same back home for a couple of days?

 

Watch the temp gauge! That's your indicator of whether or not you are
causing damage. Do what ever is necessary to keep it in the safe zone
(no long idling periods at lights or such) and you should be good.

 

Maybe I'm stupid. I checked my coolant level a couple of times and didn't think it was THAT low. Today, I bought a gallon of premixed coolant and was surprised to see how much the overflow tank would take. My temp gauge started behaving normally and my heater worked fine. I'll be on the look out for leaks.

 

I spoke too soon. SES light came on this morning and mini went into limp-home-mode. Spent most of today getting the car to Mini of Sterling and arranging for alternate transportation.