15 replies to this topic

[Tifferrobinson]

I love driving my mini in the snow because it has such great control even in a skid(!) but I am worried about too much moisture getting into the engine compartment and the like, I don't have any protective panel over the spark plugs or anything and I can't seem to find one on mini spares so what precautions should I take to stop the mini getting waterlogged, as I have often heard they do?

Thanks


1992 Mini City E

[Big_Adam]

I have only ever 4 times been screwed by water on/in my engine.

1) Early morning mist, fixed via WD40 (spark plugs, not dizzy).
2) Same as 1 again.
3) Driving through a ford at 50-60mph.
4) Driving through around 5inch (deep) of flooded road at 40-50mph. Then pushed car home.

My suggestion is just take some WD40 with you and maybe stick a marigold on the dizzy to keep it dry.

[Ethel]

I'd be more worried by the salt, give it a thorough wash when the thaws done. Electronic ignition helps and you can easily make a dizzy sheild out of a bit of plaggy to stick behind the grill. Good, clean, condition leads and wiring should be all you need.

[Tifferrobinson]

I have only ever 4 times been screwed by water on/in my engine.

1) Early morning mist, fixed via WD40 (spark plugs, not dizzy).
2) Same as 1 again.
3) Driving through a ford at 50-60mph.
4) Driving through around 5inch (deep) of flooded road at 40-50mph. Then pushed car home.

My suggestion is just take some WD40 with you and maybe stick a marigold on the dizzy to keep it dry.

How does WD40 help, and do you mean a rubber glove?

I currently take the dizzy cap off a lot as I remove the rotor arm overnight due to a previous theft attempt.

[Tifferrobinson]

I'd be more worried by the salt, give it a thorough wash when the thaws done. Electronic ignition helps and you can easily make a dizzy sheild out of a bit of plaggy to stick behind the grill. Good, clean, condition leads and wiring should be all you need.

Ok, well I am not sure how to clean the underside except for taking it to a car wash (and I'm not convinced that will do the mini any favours either. I had completely forgotten about the salt and now I'm cross with myself for taking her out in it (I have a sensible skoda which I should probably be using!)

[Tifferrobinson]

I'd be more worried by the salt, give it a thorough wash when the thaws done. Electronic ignition helps and you can easily make a dizzy sheild out of a bit of plaggy to stick behind the grill. Good, clean, condition leads and wiring should be all you need.

I am worried about sticking anything behind the grill because presumably it is a grill for a reason, for cooling/air for the air filter? How much can I block?

[Ethel]

More than you'd think, the original dizzy shield was only about 8x6 inches.


'n just stick a couple of quid in the jet wash and attack it from all angles underneath and around the wheel arches.

[rozzer1275]

As mine in the picture I coverd the whole grill (but it was in sweden at the time) it is traditional to use tin foil, if it gets hot take some away.
another old one is to get a rubber glove cut the tips of the fingers off and put it over the dizzy cap.

[Big_Adam]

How does WD40 help, and do you mean a rubber glove?

Wd40 displaces water, spary some on coat the electrics for a bit. Many dissuade from it as it leads to dirt build up. I always keep a can in the car anyway for when I need it. Rather have some dirty engine parts than be stranded with a soggy spark plug.

As for the marigold, yes a rubber glove. Cut off the end of the fingers, fit over dizzy with leads coming out of each finger, then zip tie each finger up.

Job done.

[lrostoke]

You can block most of the grill, My City's original grill is more or less a solid plate, with a few holes cut out, main area to make sure you have air flow is radiator side.
Saying that I just use a plastic bin back to cover the coil , dizzy and HT leads, never misses a beat now.

[taffy1967]

You can buy a replacement ignition weather shield from here: -

http://www.minispare...h...ld&s=Search

[Tifferrobinson]

More than you'd think, the original dizzy shield was only about 8x6 inches.


'n just stick a couple of quid in the jet wash and attack it from all angles underneath and around the wheel arches.

Jet wash wasn't working because of the cold, will driving through today's rain have done the job?

[taffy1967]

More than you'd think, the original dizzy shield was only about 8x6 inches.


'n just stick a couple of quid in the jet wash and attack it from all angles underneath and around the wheel arches.

Jet wash wasn't working because of the cold, will driving through today's rain have done the job?

Unlikely as the rain water might contain the remnants of salt off the road.

And try to avoid using WD40 (unless you really have to and then clean it all off afterwards) because it sits on the electrics and attracts all manner of grime, causing even more problems in the long run.

So clean and dry electrics are the best way forward.

[andyapanel]

Ive a 1990 car, ignition never a problem.
1. Get a shield to protect the distributor (minimine do nice ones, but most Ministores sell them)
2. Get electronic ignition if you havent got it already.I fitted a MAGNETRONIC set-absolutely brilliant.
3. The marigold trick I have never tried because I would be more concerned about trapping water inside the cap (causing tracking issues) than repelling it. But thats just my opinion! Try it and see if its helpful to you.
Andy

[finch661]

i have also ended up limping home dueto driving through a large puddle, or when it was raining heavily ( especially when i first bought my mini). i have found that installing a weather shield ( i bought the plastic one that covers the spark plugs, coil and dizzy) to be very useful! also buy some Damp Start from halfords (its made by Holtz). you just spray it on the ignition system (coil, sparks, ht leads, dizzy) and it forms a thin plastic coating, replelling the water. i now swear buy it!. i found wd40 not so useful, it attracts dirt and can cause insulation to electronics if too much is used!