Wouldn't worry overmuch about the gauge reading, but the smell of coolant is not right... Colin's cooking thermometer is a good one or you can also get the remote external temp gauges (I have an RS 206-3722, but it was free from our building services people - chap was going to bin it as his company wouldn't buy a new battery). Don't accept "They all do that Sir" in this instance
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly '09 Gen2 MINI Cooper ragtop '90 LR 90 SW
My new 4/4 runs between an indicated 100 and 105. And this is in an Australian summer. As soon as I'm in traffic the fan comes on. I, who have minimal sense of smell and more importantly my passengers, that I think have, have not remarked on any hot smells. And the gauge is consistent.
Back to factory tomorrow. Hoping 300 miles driven in without proper cooling hasn't done any long term damage. Thank goodness for the 30 month warranty - let's hope it won't be needed.
The service dept at MMC have swapped the original, kinked, coolant hose for a new shorter one. Since then (30+ miles) the engine temperature has sat at a steady 90C and the smell of hot coolant has gone away. I'm truly grateful to all of you who replied about engine temperatures as that confirmed there was an issue and led to getting it fixed quickly. I look forward to meeting up with you soon.
