Have you checked your coolant level? If it is low the heater core may not be getting any coolant and thus cannot make cabin heat.
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Thanks for the reply. I’ve just checked the coolant reservoir based on your advice. It’s below the minimum level (car is cold and hasn’t been used for a day).
I’ll order some BMW coolant, unless someone can recommend a coolant that can be safely used if mixed with whatever other make coolant is already in the reservoir?
111 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
How low was it? It normally has to be really low for it to affect the function of the heater.
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Tbh, the reservoir looks empty based on what I could see. Car was only serviced 5 months ago and won’t have done 2 miles since. Trying to think if I’ve seen wet patches under the car since then… possibly the odd occasional light patch but can’t be sure.
111 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Hopefully, it just has a leak or was not filled properly. Otherwise, the car may be burning coolant. At least that is what my primitive automotive diagnosis skills would suggest.
edit, I just checked the reservoir on my car(Not started in a day, so cold) and the coolant level gauge is only visible at the bottom when looking through the hole at the top of the reservoir. The fluid just barely covers the minimum line at the very bottom of the overflow reservoir. I have a gas cooper though, so we may have different reservoirs.
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Thanks. Will top it up and monitor
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Wasn’t sure what coolant was already In the car (ie whether it was BMW mini blue or yellow coloured coolant) because the level was so low I couldn’t see any fluid at all.
So, based on advice from our mini specialist, I bought 4 litres of Prestone concentrated yellow coolant for £17.50 and also bought 5 litres of De-ionised water for £5 because you can mix the Prestone yellow with any other coolant that might already be in the car (should have bought the ready to use yellow Prestone coolant of course but that was an oversight on my part so had to then go and buy 5 litres of De-ionised water).
Then I made a 1:1 coolant mix (ie half Prestone yellow and half De-ionised water — sufficient for temperatures to -37 degrees).
The car took 2.5 litres of my coolant mix and was sitting just above the minimum level after that. I then switched the engine on and let it idle for 20 minutes. During that time the in car heaters started working again, thankfully, so not the more complicated matrix issue methinks and hopes.
On checking the coolant level after twenty minutes of the car idling, it had dropped below the minimum level again. The coolant reservoir then took another half a litre of the coolant mix as I topped it up to the maximum level.
I’ll now check what the maximum coolant capacity is for our car and will also check the coolant level again tomorrow…
Ps… no coolant warning light had come on on the car…
111 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Do you suspect a leak or a failing head gasket?
leaking that fast would seem more like a leak to me.
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
No… car hasn’t done enough miles (for me) to fear head gasket failure and the coolant capacity approx is 5.8 litres. Optimistic this is just a lesson in regularly checking the coolant level/ easy to overlook it despite the car being well serviced and maintained.
pld118 Discussion starter
9 příspěvků · Připojeno 2020
Solved — with enclosed “how to fix” YouTube video link.
It was a coolant leak.
Leaking from:-
Radiator Expansion Tank Hose Pipe:
2015 F56 BMW Mini Cooper 1.5D hatchback part number 17 12 7 617 366
£32 GBP from BMW main dealer
Note — the new BMW hose pipe has black braiding around the plastic pipe to make it more durable than the original one on our which was just a plastic coated pipe with no braiding.
I googled and found a YouTube video of a chap from the North East replacing his worn and leaking hose pipe (pipe as described above). Had no idea if that was what was afflicting ours but as it was a Friday, ordered the part from the local BMW dealer who guaranteed it would be in by the following morning.
Then followed the YouTube video, removed the large black plastic air box that sits to the left of the coolant reservoir. Found coolant had been leaking all over (out of sight beneath the underside of the air box in and around the engine bay — you couldn’t see it without taking the box off). Then left the car idling for 20 minutes on a level surface to get it up to temperature — and discovered that the hose pipe from the coolant reservoir to the radiator was leaking quite heavily from the connector that goes into the radiator. Fortunately, the pipe I’d ordered from BMW was the very pipe that was leaking on ours.
Replaced the pipe over the weekend. The pipes have spring clips on each end of the pipe that you can prize open with a flat head screwdriver before then pulling the pipe away from its connection. If you need to re use any pipes with spring clips be careful as they can ping off as I fell foul of — lost one, although fortunately it didn’t matter because it was one from the failed hose pipe anyway.
Have kitchen roll or similar on hand when you disconnect the pipes to ‘plug’ the ends and be ready to plug the radiator hole with kitchen roll as well, otherwise you might get coolant pouring out as I did (plug the end of the hose you’re removing unless you want coolant spilling out of it).
I removed and replaced the hose pipe with the coolant reservoir cap off. After replacing the pipe, I topped the reservoir up with Prestone yellow coolant then replaced the cap. Then dried off the engine bay fully and also the underside of the car where it had been dripping on to the floor. Then left it for an hour or two to see if there were any obvious leaks. There weren’t. Then I ran the engine on idle for an hour (still with the air box off so I could see alll that was going on) and found it was and remained dry in the engine bay and underneath on the floor. No more leakage. To be sure, I left it overnight in the garage, again with the air box of so I could see everything. Just checked and everything remains dry in the engine bay and also on the floor. Checked the coolant reservoir and it has remained at the same level as it was when I topped it up after replacing the failed hose pipe with the new one yesterday.
So, plastic air boxes back on and I believe that’s job done.
Total cost for this fix, apart from time was £54 GBP (£32 for new hose pipe; £17 for 4 litres of Preston yellow concentrated coolant and £5 for 5 litres of De-ionised water to mix with the Preston concentrated coolant).
Tools required — basic socket set; flat head screw driver and if you have one, a trim removal set to remove a plastic trim screw, but you’d get away with a flat headed screw driver (if you watch the YouTube video you’ll realise what I’m getting at reference the plastic trim screw).
To access the YouTube video, either internet search for:
BMW Mini Cooper Coolant Leak Expansion Tank Leaking Hose F55 F56 F57 1.5 Turbo [DIY How To Fix]
Winter comes around every year, yet nothing can truly prepare you for how cold it can get in Connecticut. Luckily, you have a furnace keeping you nice and toasty. That is unless it starts blowing cold air. This happens from time to time and could be a sign of a larger problem with your furnace. Like all furnace issues, you’ll want to get it checked out before it leads to a complete failure.
Our expert heating technicians are here for youNaplánujte si online ještě dnes
This blog will cover several reasons why your heater is blowing cold air and how you can prevent it from happening in the future.
Proč můj ohřívač fouká studený vzduch?
It Hasn’t Warmed Up Yet
If it’s your first time turning on the furnace for the season, it won’t blow out hot air immediately. It can take several minutes before hot air makes its way through the ductwork. Be patient and after about 10-15 minutes you should start feeling warm air coming from the vents.
The Thermostat Isn’t Set Up Correctly
One of the first things you should do when you feel cold air coming from the furnace is to check the thermostat. You may have had it set up during summer weather and forgot to switch it for winter. When looking at your thermostat, ensure it’s set to ‘Auto’ and not ‘On.’ When on the ‘Auto’ setting, your furnace and fan will turn on at the same time to push warm air throughout your home. However, on the ‘On’ setting, the fan will blow even when the furnace is off.
Špinavý filtr pece
Your furnace filter helps keep dust and debris from recirculating through the air in your home. As it collects more debris, it can clog and limit airflow. Eventually, the clog can cause the furnace to overheat and turn off. Once it’s overheated, the furnace can start blowing out cold air.
Ucpané vedení kondenzátu
A high-efficiency furnace will use a condensate line to move water away from the furnace. A clog in the line will halt furnace ignition. If it can’t ignite, it can’t provide warm air, which means you’ll be stuck with a furnace blowing cold air.
Problémy pilotního světla
If you have an older furnace, the reason it may be blowing cold air is that the pilot light keeps going out. The flame might go out because it’s too weak, the thermocouple is faulty, or there’s a problem with the pilot orifice or gas regulator. New-model furnaces typically have an electric pilot light that only sparks when needed.
What You Can Do To Prevent It From Happening in the Future
Regular Air Filter Checks
Air filters are necessary for maintaining the quality of your indoor air. Over time, dust and debris will collect in the filter and eventually clog if you don’t replace it. To prevent the consequences of a dirty, clogged air filter, replace it every three months.
Regular Heater Tune up
One of the easiest ways to avoid feeling cold air coming from your furnace is to schedule a tune-up regularly . Having a trained technician take a look at your system can also extend the life of your furnace and help it run more efficiently. You have more reasons to schedule furnace maintenance than not. Don’t wait for something to go wrong—get ahead of HVAC issues by contacting your local furnace technicians .
Install a Smart Thermostat
Traditional thermostats allow you to set your temperature to whatever you like, but you have to do it in person. Smart thermostats allow for greater control of your indoor environment with the ability to change it while you’re outside the home. With the added features of remote control, you can ensure you set the thermostat correctly every time, and you can fire it up before you arrive home.
Don’t Get Left In The Cold With Heater Troubles—Call HARP
Your furnace is typically the most reliable and heavily used appliance in your home during winter. However, no furnace can work properly forever. Whether your furnace is getting up there in age or is showing signs of malfunction, work with HARP technicians to see what your options are. Our team can handle everything from heating installation and maintenance to repairs. We’re happy to assist you at any time—our heating services are available 24/7. Contact us online or reach us at 1-860-498-6518 .
