Why in the name of god is my car overheating?

[DaveGedro]

My mini, a couple of months ago, was overheating on a regular basis but not to the point where it could do damage, only to the point where i would notice and stop. That and the fact that the mix of water and coolant in my radiator was brown, led me to believe that i was in need of a new head gasket. I then changed the head gasket and the small 1 inch rubber hose which sits on the passenger side of the engine block, thinking that my problem was solved. However, today when i went out for a drive i came home to find all of my cooling systems contents poured along my road. Does anyone have any idea what is wrong? Thanks.

Dave.

[chrisj_abz]

Radiator silted up? fan on backwards (might not cause overheating but wont help if it is) water pump knackered?
Have you just got the standard temp gauge, maybe worth fitting an additional one to check the temp.

basically id flush out the rad with a hose (not too much pressure) till clear water comes out (or replace it), check the thermostat opens by dropping it in some hot water from a kettle to see if it opens.

if your changing the rad might be worth changing the water pump as well, not an expensive item.

[DaveGedro]

My dad seems to think that the water pump is buggered. I'm not too sure myself what i thought it was... Someone told me it could be the thermostat too so i will have a wee test of that and see that it works like you said. Thanks mate.

Dave.

[Cooperman]

Sounds like a thermostat.
If the water pump is gone it will leak from the gland.
Check fan is on the corect way round as if it's wrong you will lose about 20% of your cooling capability.
Flush it out and fit a new thermostat.

[DaveGedro]

Thanks for all your help folks. I've made the decision to just replace the water pump and the thermostat just to be safe. Thanks again.

Dave.

[DaveGedro]

My mini is a 1990 model... Do i get the water pump with a bypass tube or without the bypass tube? Thanks.

Dave.

[annodomini2]

DaveGedro said:

My mini is a 1990 model... Do i get the water pump with a bypass tube or without the bypass tube? Thanks.

Dave.

Look at the top of the pump in your car, if it's bypass there will be a little rubber hose connected from the top of the water pump to the head.

[camelotr]

"I then changed the head gasket and the small 1 inch rubber hose which sits on the passenger side of the engine block,"

That is the bypass hose.

[DaveGedro]

camelotr said:

"I then changed the head gasket and the small 1 inch rubber hose which sits on the passenger side of the engine block,"

That is the bypass hose.

Aw silly me... I'm not the most knowledgeable as i'm sure you can tell. Thank you.

Dave.