My 2005 Mini Cooper has been having a battle with overheating since I bought her in February. First time was the serpentine belt breaking and I replaced that and filled her up. Fine for a long while after that. Even drove her 1000 miles to Tennessee and then 1000 miles back. No problems whatsoever. Then the alternator went out a couple of months back. I replaced that.
Shortly after that, it began to overheat. I filled it up. It would be fine for a couple of days, maybe even a week or so and then heat up again. I did an entire coolant flush and refilled it. Worked for about a month I'd say.
Then the two weeks ago, it reared its head again. I replaced the thermostat, thermostat housing and gasket. It worked for a couple of days and then two days ago it started again.
It happens all the time. First time we noticed it after the thermostat change was on the highway around 60 mph. It went up, then came down. Then went back up and stayed up until i pulled into a gas station. Since this ordeal has started, I've learned to carry water. I open the radiator fill cap and steam bursts out. Tons of it. It also blew off the reservoir cap. So it's now a goner (anyone know where I can get one?). So I fill it up and take it home. I get home, I use the bleed valves. Refill it. Works great yesterday morning. Then yesterday afternoon, I'm sitting at the Dairy Queen drive thru and it starts to heat up. I turn it off for maybe 20 seconds. Turn it back on, and it's back at normal temp, runs fine all the way home. Get home, reservoir is between Max and Min. The last few times it overheated, there was water in the reservoir still. I top it up with water, bleed the valves again.
This morning, it overheats while driving, cools at a light. Goes up while moving, cools at a light.
There is also a light scraping/grinding sound for the last few weeks when slowing down and taking off. Maybe the water pump?
God I hope it's the water pump. I can do it myself and it's certainly less expensive than a blown head gasket right?
What do you guys think? Sorry for the extremely long post.
Location: I speak the truth. Harsh but accurate. The Woodlands Texas
Does it have an electric fan(FWD should have one)? I would check the fan first. it might not kick on when it is supposed to. See if the fan runs when the AC compressor is on (it should). Sounds like you also need a new radiator cap. The cap on the puke tank is supposed to hold pressure so if the cap is bad it can also cause problems.
Location: Member: Double Yellow Dirt Bags San Diego, CA
By the way, you should never open the radiator fill cap when the coolant is hot. I believe an auto shop mechanic should be able to test the antifreeze to determine if it contains combustion gases, which would indicate a head gasket breach or cracked head. A bad water pump could cause the same symptoms.
__________________
2001 Mag-Red Coupe 6-Speed, 1SC, Z51, Born: May 17, 2001, delivered June 7th, 2001
315.9 RWHP 337.7 RWTQ (Dynojet) 6/8/02 (no mods)
328.8 RWHP 352.2 RWTQ (Dynojet) 5/22/04 (mods listed below)
Quad Round Borla Stingers 9/6/03
Halltech Stinger-R intake system 4/17/04
Cold-air scoop mod 5/20/04
TPS Z06 shifter (replaced BPP on 12/26/11)
Intake install, oil trap, and CAI mod: http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
This morning, it overheats while driving, cools at a light. Goes up while moving, cools at a light.
That's a weird one... Usually it's the other way around. Pop the hood and wait for the electric fan to come on. Make sure it's pulling air through the grill and radiator into the engine bay and not pushing air out the front.
Corvette Store
2005 Mini Cooper overheating
