Reaching out to you all to figure this over heating issue.

Symptoms: (engine over heating)
Have tried purging the system with heat blowing hot but doesn't seem to be cycling. Should be something simple I'm hoping.

'03 MCS
Replaced many parts so far since issue.
- Heater fan (that was fun)
- Tstat
- many hoses
- Water pump
- Radiator fan
- replaced SC oil
- Canton over flow tank
- fuses checked in engine compartment


Fingers crossed haven't blown head gasket.

Many Thx.

 

Basic question....
How are you Bleeding it....an air bubble can cause an overheat...
What symptoms? Just run for 5 minutes then an overheat...blowing out coolant? Radiator hot or cold?

 

^
Hoping you'd reply.
Tried bleeding with 2 hose spots. One up front & other drivers side of engine but not getting pressure to blow fluid by once up to temp.
Radiator is cold not receiving pressure.

 

BTW I'm in ManchVegas, NH with garage if you'd like a side job.

 

Not a pro....but with enough cussing I usually get crap done!! Sounds like you might have gone deeper than me...my spare sc is still on the shelf...looks like a pain when the day comes!! Might be worth paying the $500 to the guys down at Greasysgarage to do...a few less busted knuckles if I get it there when still drivable...
I've found you need to run the car at an elevated idle to get the thermostat to open to bleed it.once the thermostat opens....coolant should flood out the bleed...
When you changed the sc oil...did you look at the gears or was the oil OK that you took out?
Fan comming on right?

 

Any chance the thermostat is in backwards or bad?? Just a thought...

 

Tstat is Mini new & did check but don't believe you can install backwards into the housing. Spring side is on engine with small hole towards top.

 

SC oil looked fine for 122k mi with plenty still in. Never checked gears for some reason.

 

Naww...gear should be fine from all the ones I've seen if there was oil and the oil did not have ground metal shavings....
No warning lights right? Just temp right?

 

^
Yup. Just temp light.

 

Hi!
03miniac

Did You Check The Small Hose N' The Driver Side?
Is Like 6 Inches Long Maybe That's The Problem.

Because One Friend Happen That Hose Was Wrong
N' He Take To The Mini Dealer N' They Say Was The Head Gasket. To Fix That Want $3200

But After He Check Again Was That Small Hose Was All Bend Because Was To Old.

N' The Problem Was Don't Let The Water To Circulate.

Hope That Help To You!

 

^
Replaced all those hoses which still had plenty of life left.
$3200 for head gasket is insanely stupid along with cabin heater fan.

Thx.

 

Update:
After short time back from work was able to spend little more time on this heating issue. First was able to get fluid flowing from both of the hose bleed locations. Next I set up the KiwiWifi with temp showing. Keeping the cabin heater off Temp jumping to 207 before me shutting engine off. The radiator fan is fairly new but did notice did not turn on (fan from Mini dealer has worked in past).
Guessing my next step is as seeing there is flow of fluid from bleed points but fan is not kicking on this should be my issue. What would be best way to test fan & components?

Many Thx.. .

 

Have your heard the fan running at all? If not....
Many unmodified (many cars were modified in a service campaign) pre -2005 PRODUCTION DATE MINI's can have the PS fan sieze, and it often BLOWS a 5 amp fuse DE-powering a relay (think that is the order) that disables the radiator fan...
Check the fuses in the car...and the PS fan...maybe it is a simple thing...a car will overheat if not moving with no fan....

 

Fan has worked previously & yes PS fan has been replaced twice. Checked fuses in beginning but will recheck when get back. Thx for your feed back BTW. Been while since been on forum but seems different atmosphere. Well glad kept R53 anyway.
Edit: How does one pressure test the system?

Check list:
- recheck all connections
- recheck fuses
- pressure test cooling system?

 

207 is not overheating. The fan will kick on at 220. Keep going and see if the fan runs correctly.

 

220. Thx for that.

Edit: How does one pressure test the system?

Check list:
- recheck all connections
- recheck fuses
- check cooling fan operation at 220
- pressure test cooling system?

 

You get a glorified blood pressure pump up ball and a guage...srcew it on the expansion tank, and pump it up to the same psi as the cap....and watch the guage...then look for leaks...done wrong you can pop head gaskets, etc....

 

What's recommended PSI? Believe read 20 somewhere.


Check list:
- recheck all connections
- recheck fuses
- check cooling fan operation at 220
- pressure test cooling system?

 

^
Wanted to thank you all again.
220-221 fan kicked on. Seems high. Has there been talk about adjusting down?

Onto next issue.. .

* someone point me in direction of recovering dash pad.

Thx again!