I could use some expert advice. As stated above, vehicle is 2007 Cooper S hatchback (turbo) with 82k miles. Had the temperature light coming on, and had heard about water pump problems, so I bought the Pelican Parts cooling system super kit. It includes the thermostat, water pump, expansion tank cap and most of the system hoses. I installed all this stuff and wanted to bleed the system in the garage, before risking a road trip. At first I couldn't get any hot air from the heating system, no matter how long the car had idled. I took the heater core out to check it, and it was completely fine. Perhaps I still had some air in the system. Since then, I have heat cycled the engine several times and topped up the coolant each time after it cooled. The heat inside is working fine now, also. I just took a 15 mile road trip and had no temp lights come on, but when I pulled it in the garage and felt the lower radiator hose, it was cold, not even warm! What gives? Am I looking at a clogged radiator? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Steve Conner

 

The hose directly under the radiator only flows during extended hard acceleration, or when the A/C is set to "Max". It's kinda an emergency source for coolant.