22 replies to this topic

[Minisniper]

Hiya guys and gals.
I'm sure you all know that the heaters in our minis are not the best in the world and I was just wondering if anyone has fitted a different heater other than the standard perhaps from a different type of car? and if they have what sort of problems did they come up against?

Any help or advise would be great!!!!!!

Minisniper

[captainjack15]

My Dad asked me this question the other day, so I am now wandering too

Cheers

[cooperdan]

just been reading the topic too..im wondering too....

[markaboot]

just been reading the topic too..im wondering too....

couldnt you mount a standard radiator in the car, with a fan on the back?
would think that should kick out a fair bit of heat.

or something along those lines.

[paulrockliffe]

It really wouldn't be difficult to do, the heater is only a fan and a radiator in a box.

I find mine is hot enough, but I think maybe the fibreglass shell keeps the heat in a bit better. Anyway, what I would do is get two heater matrices then mount them either so that a fan blows air through them both, or mount them next to each other with two fans. Then you just need to put it in a box, run the heater supply in and out, and then sort out feeds to the screen.

The exact layout would depend on where you wanted to put it in the car, but the existing location would be suitable for a twin-matrix setup.

[markaboot]

It really wouldn't be difficult to do, the heater is only a fan and a radiator in a box.

I find mine is hot enough, but I think maybe the fibreglass shell keeps the heat in a bit better. Anyway, what I would do is get two heater matrices then mount them either so that a fan blows air through them both, or mount them next to each other with two fans. Then you just need to put it in a box, run the heater supply in and out, and then sort out feeds to the screen.

The exact layout would depend on where you wanted to put it in the car, but the existing location would be suitable for a twin-matrix setup.

sounds like a better idea than mine haha. i've not pulled my heater apart so i dont know how its put together.
i would guess connecting two in series and re boxing wouldnt be all that difficult.

[Minisniper]

Hiya
Thanks for the replies so far but I was thinking more along the lines of using the heating system from another small car that maybe better with output than the mini standard heater.


Minisniper

[Ethel]

it's rumoured the Rover 200 isn't a bad option. Mk1 Metro is almost as self contained as the Mini's but has a separate blower. The Mini's isn't that bad if in good knick, strip it and clean the matrix and sort out any cold air leaks. Fitting some sort of flap to make it recirculate more of the cabin air would be my next step, it hoovers up masses of fresh air through the grill at any half decent speed.

[benb12]

I don't know why people seem to think that Mini heaters are so bad, mine is absolutely fine. I usually just have the heater on but not the fan, this keeps it at a nice constant temperature for me and there's no noisy fan going. Might be a good idea to clean out your heater matrix if yours isn't doing much.

[1987_ParkLane]

I don't know why people seem to think that Mini heaters are so bad, mine is absolutely fine. I usually just have the heater on but not the fan, this keeps it at a nice constant temperature for me and there's no noisy fan going. Might be a good idea to clean out your heater matrix if yours isn't doing much.

Yer I might do this, because the fan isn't weak at blowing, its just the temperature that is coming out of it, and if all else fails will get something else in.

[Minisniper]

Hiya
I have had the heater out and the matrix and all the inside of the casing was really clean and in good nick. The problem I seem to be having is only with the windscreen vents. I don't seem to have enough air either side, there are no cracks in the pipes and can't find any leaks anywhere. I just thought if I got a fan with a stronger blower this would solve the problem otherwise it heats the car fine.

Any more advise would be great!!!

Minisniper

[mab01uk]

The cure for Mini heater problems is nearly always down to just needing to fit a new Matrix inside the box, even flushing out the old one is often no good as crud accumulates & solidifies in the low down heater matrix over time and blocks part of it up, which you can't always shift.
Other problems can be due to an air lock in the system of pipes, take the heater pipe off the cyl. head valve, hold the pipe up and start filling the radiator until water comes out the pipe, then quickly push it back on the valve.
If all else fails the best upgrade is to buy a late Rover Mini MPI heater which has a more efficient matrix, 2 speed blower fan and 5/8" bore heater water hoses as standard, instead of the smaller 1/2" hoses fitted to all earlier Minis. More water flow means more heat !
If you don't have enough air getting to the demister vents make sure all the air pipe joints are taped up with duct tape to eliminate all leakages and losses between heater and windscreen. Also check the cheap plastic windscreen vent nozzles for leaks (only stapled together with gaps on later Mini's, they were once proper metal ones on Mk1 Mini's! but got cost reduced I guess.)

Edited by mab01uk, 30 October 2008 - 09:02 PM.

[benb12]

What if you took out your matrix, put a bit of unleaded in it, closed up the holes and shook it about a lot? Maybe that could get rid of the rubbish that accumulates in it.

[Ethel]

What if you took out your matrix, put a bit of unleaded in it, closed up the holes and shook it about a lot? Maybe that could get rid of the rubbish that accumulates in it.

It'll be rust 'n limescale a good dose of bog cleaner may be as good as anything. It's small enough to even boil up in a pan and you can just plumb it up to your kitchen hot tap to see how efficient it is. The screen vents are pants to be honest, apart from all the above they can easily get misaligned and dump any heat behind the dash fascia. There's not much air in a lil mini cabin so even a wet jacket can push up the humidity to fog the windows, not to mention the leaks 'n soggy carpet.

[Shifty]

If you want to rip out the mini system, have a look here


http://www.cbsonline...heatac-95-c.asp