Yesterday when it got a little cold, I turned on the heat only to find out it never got warm even after 10 minutes of driving. Noticed the coolant was low so I topped it off this morning and sure enough it sill never got hot, still feels cold to my face..
Last time I used the heat in February it worked just fine. I know im not going crazy because usually the heat kicks in after about 7 minutes even when it's below 20 degrees..
Really wanna know what is going on

 

Partially blocked heater core/thermostat or other blockage if you've topped up coolant level and bled it properly. Otherwise it's a failing water pump/water pump drive.

Jeremy

 

Could be that blockage I guess, how would I correct that, or test thermostat?

 

Try this some am...
Start the car....fan and radio off...
And listen....windows closed....just at idle...
See if you barely hear a slight gurgling or mini waterfall sound....
If you do,then it is99% likely when the coolant got low, air got trapped in the heater core....and it should be bleed....heck anytime it goes to below min, it tends to suck air in....a buble of big enough can cause overheating...but small just gets stuck in the heatercore....dealers even had this issue on bleeding gen1 cars....tgey can be a pain..2 bleed locations...one by the rad, second is kinda behind the aircleaner if i remember right....

 

PS
Remember mini does NOT USE longlife coolant...so it does need to be drained and refiled every few years...2 or maybe 4 at the max depending on use....my routine...every 2 i drop the lower rad hose...drain, then simply refill....gets maybe 70% of coolant out. Well matained systems should not have a sedimit/rust buildup....neglicted systems may need a flush.

 

Hmmm I hear a gurgling noise and it's definitely NOT faint

 

Yea I ha changed out the fluid in Oct, which was a huge fiasco, posted thread about it...