11 replies to this topic

[DanRobinson]

Hi, my 87' Mini Advantage started smoking today for the first time ever. the smoke smelt kind of sweet - not like a burning smell.

it was coming from the air vents that heat the screen and only lasted a few seconds but i have no idea what it could be. i have taken the dash of this morning and replaced my speedo so i may have caought some of the old electrics and they may have burned out but im not sure. i havent noticed anything going wront with it since.

Any ideas?

[minimanclive]

Perhaps it wasn't smoke but steam, and the sweet smell is engine anti freeze? That'd be the case if you have a pinhole in your heater matrix.

[DanRobinson]

That would make sense. the smoke looked a little too dense to be fire. but i thought i might have burnt out a socket or something

[Bradfirj9]

A word of advice, Ethylene Glycol is reasonably toxic. Probably not in the quantities you're dealing with, and usually only by direct ingestion, but you can never be too careful.

Edited by Bradfirj9, 13 February 2011 - 07:42 PM.

[CLASSIC-MINI-BITS]

we see it all the time, it is a common thing this time of year, it will be the matrix leaking slightly, sort it asap as it is toxic.

[DanRobinson]

How can i sort it?

[Timtom]

and don't lick your windscreen..

BECAUSE YOU MIGHT DIE.

[Brad_Raybould]

I know it's an old post but I get this problem in cold and damp mornings mainly, I first noticed this in December and recently started again now we are having a few cold and wet mornings. I was also wondering if there is a way to fix this problem.

[1275GTS]

This sounds like your heater matrix is leaking. I had the same problem on mine. I replaced the matrix and have had no problems now with it.

[reallybig]

i removed my matrix and put a bypass hose in

couldn't be arsed to spend £50 on a new matrix

[sonikk4]

The only proper fix is to replace the matrix. Don't bother with rad weld etc. No they are not the cheapest items but if you bypass your matrix then no heat.

[TORZIEnJIM]

and don't lick your windscreen..

BECAUSE YOU MIGHT DIE.

Made me lol