2004 Mini Cooper temperature will rise when idling in traffic,but when on open road temperature returns to normal. The fan is running and the reserve tank is running at normal area. If anyone has a suggestion it would be greatly appreciated. Can be reached at klgrayson61@sbcglobal.net

 

Even i have this problem, but my cooper model is 1991. Kindly if u find any solution, please advice me.

 

my cooper has done this and is doing it again, the first time it was only a fuse. the shop I took it to said it was hard to find.they told me where it was but I can't remember where,sorry but now maybe someone can help us both

 

Solved my overheating problem,it turned out to be that the radiator was really low on coolant,what had me baffled was that the reserve was holding its level.After letting the car cool down,I remove the radiator cap,the thing took about a gallon or close to it.These car require a different type of coolant. been running the car for about 2 weeks now and everything is back to normal. Hope this helps.

 

I realize this is an old post , but the coolant had to go somewhere ?
Sounds like you need to dig deeper and find out where the coolant went and replace the Rad cap....

 

there is a leak that occurs where the thermostat is that is hard to detect but fairly common in these cars I'd look there first