17 replies to this topic

[WillsMini]

1985 Mini City 1000.
I have been battling with an overheating car since getting it in August. I've changed stat, rad and temp sender. Whilst in bits I've flushed the block with hose pipe. Still the gauge creeps up and hovers on or aroung the 'H' mark.
I've come to the conclusion now that it's not overheating at all. After a good 10 min run on hot, you can still squeeze water pipes and (carefully) remove rad cap. Surely if it were as hot as the gauge were reading, the pressure in the system would be immense.
I'm now looking toward the gauge. Someone suggested the voltage stabiliser but I wouldn't have thought that would affect the temp gauge and if it were faulty, surely it would affect other gauge too?
Anyone experienced a similar problem and managed to sort it out?
Thanks in advance.

[AJTMini25]

I'm guessing that your coolant level is staying the same and you're not loosing any anywhere?

 

If not then check the voltage from the temp sensor unit and the dial. What clock set-up do you have?? Have you checked the thermostat?

[WillsMini]

Did change stat. Made no difference so checked both in hot water. Old one opened but new one didn't so put old one back in.
Car had wooden dash fitted when we had it. Original Smiths temp and oil gauges moved alongside new volt gauge and clock.
I don't think it's overheating, just reading hot on gauge.

[dklawson]

Let's start with seemingly unrelated questions.  You said the temperature gauge reads hot.  What is the fuel gauge doing?  Is it reading higher than you expect?  If so, the problem is likely to be the voltage stabilizer powering the gauges.  As above, what year car and which gauges does it have?

 

As a sanity check, buy or borrow an infrared thermometer.  Put squares of black electrical tape on the thermostat housing, one on the radiator header tank near where the top hose connects, and one on the cylinder head itself next to the thermostat housing.  Bring the engine to temperature and measure the temperature of the tape squares.  If you find the temperature at all three spots to be within about 5oF (maybe 2 to 3 oC) of each other, and that the value is close to the rating of the thermostat you installed... focus on the gauge being out of calibration.

[WillsMini]

Gauge is (I think) the original Smiths gauge but has a new temp sender fitted. It had been moved as the car had a wooden custom dash fitted but I'm guessing it is still the original gauge. Other gauges seem fine which lead me away from the voltage stabilizer. It was shooting to hot as soon as you switched on ignition. That's why I fitted a new sender. Now it climbs steadily, as you'd expect, but goes past N all the way to H.
I'll try to get a thermometer and carry out suggested test.
Any other thoughts?
Car is an 85 City 1000.
Thanks for your help.

[Dan]

Where did you get the new sender and what one was it, and can you post a picture of the gauge? Not all senders are the same they have to match the gauge or they will read wrong. If you aren't certain what gauge is fitted how did you choose a sender?

[Cooperman]

I had exactly that on a Cooper 'S'. In the end I fitted a capilliary-type gauge which I bought as a kit from Mini Spares and found that it was not running hot at all. In fact it was exactly as it should have been. Those electric gauges really are junk. The fuel gauge is not any better either.

[WillsMini]

Gauge is a Smiths. I assume it was the original moved to different position to suit a custom wooden dash.
I bought sender from minispares. I was only asked what age and engine to give correct sender so I'm wondering if it may be incompatible with the gauge

[Cooperman]

Gauge is a Smiths. I assume it was the original moved to different position to suit a custom wooden dash.
I bought sender from minispares. I was only asked what age and engine to give correct sender so I'm wondering if it may be incompatible with the gauge

It might be the voltage stabiliser. How does the fuel gauge read?

[WillsMini]

Fuel gauge reading ok. Although thinking about it, we filled it up few days back, took £32 from empty. Didn't seem a lot. Could it be reading a little high or does that sound reasonable?

[Gremlin]

Check that the temperature gauge is actually being fed via the regulator

[WillsMini]

You've lost me gremlin. What's the reglator? I'm sure the wire comes straight from the temp sender to the gauge.

[WillsMini]

Are you referring to the voltage stabiliser?

[Dan]

Yes I'd say so, it's a reasonable thing to check if the gauge has been moved. Is this just a singe, separate temperature gauge?

[Gremlin]

Yeah I shortened it from voltage regulator, there should be 2 wire and a bulb on the back of your temp gauge, one coming from a little box called a voltage regulator/stabilizer and one goin to you temperature sender