Overheating

[StanO'Toole]

The red Mini is ever so slightly acting up, temp gauge (when holding a constant speed eg. 60k) is reading about half way. When left to idle for a while it slowly starts to climb. It usally didn't go any higher then a quarter...

The water is manky so going to give it a rad flush tomorrow along with a service. Is there anything I should be checking/cleaning along the way?

It is also fitted with an eletric fan which isn't kicking in, now it could be had but is it fused and were are the sensors for it?

Its a 94 carbed. Thanks in advance!

[joeyfinneran]

Not sure about your problem might just be a collent change and maybe even a temp sensor change
But for you fan problem that only comes on at i think 96C and thats no where near 3/4's way on the gauge

[StanO'Toole]

But for you fan problem that only comes on at i think 96C and thats no where near 3/4's way on the gauge

Really? Thought it was half way it kicked in?

[armo]

If it creeps up on idle try rev it and watch it drop if that's the case try change the thermostat to begin with ...it could even be the water pump check the belt make sure it's tight enuf it may only grab as it spins faster .
Hope that helps

[daniel garry]

on my old spi the temp used to sit just over the half way line and then a little over that the fan'd kick in. is the fan temp controlled?? is there a temp switch at the bottom front of the rad? check the connectors on it if there is

[woody]

. It usally didn't go any higher then a quarter...

Your first problem is that you ignored your first problem
Any mini should normally read Normal ( middle of temp gauge) when its running right, if not then you either have a problem with your cooling system or electrics( sender ,gauge, etc).
This first problem may now be manifesting into a different reading or you may have a a new problem ontop of your first problem.
The first thing I would check is that your electric fan is working.On the bottom front of the rad is a switch with two wires, join them together an the fan should come on.
I use an infra red thermomiter to verify the actual tempiture of the engine and compare it to the gauge.

[StanO'Toole]

Just back from giving little red a service, changed the oil, plugs, oil filter, gave the air filter a good clean and checked all fuses/fluids/connections and cleaned them all off.

On futher investigation of the overheating situation, the two female spade connectors weren't in the best of nick nor were the connections on the temp sender. Made up a wire with two male connectors on either end and bypassed the temp sender and the fan kicked in straight away. Cleaned of the connections on the temp sender, replaced both the female spade connectors and shes running perfect now. Following Martins/Woodys advice of bypassing the temp sender, (Thanks for the phone this morning by the way Martin) I'v left the bypass wire in the glove box just incase of any more mishaps. I can just connect it up and leave it running constantly if I get anymore bother.

The temp guage now runs up to half way when driving and in traffic goes just over half and the fan kicks in so all seems game ball.

As to Woodys comment of it running cold at a quarter on the temp gauge, one of the spade connectors was actually off the temp sender, it could have been possible it had come off and was resting against the oppisite connector kicking in the fan.. It'll be something I'l be keeping an eye on over the next couple weeks anyway.

Thanks for all the advice lads.

PROBLEM SOLVED

[woody]

Result
Glad to help

[keith]

gotta love the forum......