46 replies to this topic

[andymini12]

This one, i am sure it is for replacing the mechanical fan. http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=42310

[Cooperman]

With a front mounted radiator it's not an issue.
With a side mounted rad the fan must run 100% of the time the engine is running. If an electric fan is to replace the mechanical fan then it must flow at least the same volume of air as the mechanical one does when the engine is running at a 4500 rpm, ideally a bit more. This must be confirmed.

The possible failure modes for the mech. fan are:
Water pump failure, fan belt failure, alternator bearing seizure.
Possible failure modes for the electric fan are:
Switch failure, relay failure, short circuit/fuse blowing, fan bearing failure.

Some cars with modified 1275 engines can run hot even with a 6-blade export mechanical fan and an electric one is fitted to provide extra cooling.

[jonny f]

All good points to consider. I shall be cutting my inner wing to ensure the fan/rad is well positioned. I did have a 2 core alloy radiator along with an oil cooler which gave me a very stable temperature.

I would like to use the electric fan as i can just bolt it and the rad to the inner wing, helping with clearance issues in my minus.

[diogoteix]

I've setup my mini (1380 cc with about 100 hp) with 2 radiators (front + side) and an uprated electric fan. In town traffic, the electric fan needs to work quite often, but as soon as you start driving above 20 mph no fan is needed, even under hard conditions (circuit)

[jonny f]

What side radiator are you using? I'm thinking of buying a four core, as my current one is a fairly cheap two core.

[Doz1971]

I've only just noticed this thread. I had a kenlow fan on my GT... it worked well.

And do you know why I got rid of it? I missed that roar you get from the standard fan when you give it the beans ... it's part of that Mini sound.... Imagine a gearbox what didn't whine .... nope , not for me ....

[diogoteix]

By the way, I moved my side radiator slightly so that it is perfectly fitted against the inner wing (with a rubber seal around): as a result the air that enters to the engine compartment passes through the rad before escaping through the inner wing, and when the fan kick in, it is more efficient than if there was a gap. The radiator is a radtec alloy rad: http://radtec.co.uk/...nt-Radiator.htm


As for the result, my taste goes to the "no mecanical fan" config. The engine revs more willingly, there is no fan noise (which reminds me of the noise of old volvo's), and you probably gain 1 or 2 hp as a bonus.

Cheers

[jonny f]

Seems expensive that minispares one and the fan doesnt seem to be branded!

[jonny f]

http://www.moss-euro...ateIndexID=7907

Would appear that it is a revotec fan, moss sell the kit for a lot more money.

[mininerd]

Hello, I live in Canada and drive a SPI 1992, LHD, originally built for the German market. My electric fan, located in the inner wing of the driver side, failed due to motor burn out. Is it possible that the fan is connected to the ECU. I don't have a manual switch. I drive the car daily in the Spring/Summer/Fall. I haven't found a fan to replace it yet. Any idea? Is it worthwhile to replace it? Thank you for your help! 

 

 

 

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[nicklouse]

I thought it was switched from the sensor in the bottom radiator tank.

[skoughi]

I fitted a front mounted MG Metro radiator in my clubman with a small electric fan switched on and of with the Metro thermo switch located on the exit side of the rad. I also made a solid inner wing where the slats used to be. The engine still warms up nicely but the elec fan hardly ever comes on, like never! It simply never seems to overheat, the only way I can get her to do so is to leave her idling in the garage for a good while. Which is fine as there seems to be a problem with getting a thermo switch that actually works.

[minisilverbullet]

Hello, I live in Canada and drive a SPI 1992, LHD, originally built for the German market. My electric fan, located in the inner wing of the driver side, failed due to motor burn out. Is it possible that the fan is connected to the ECU. I don't have a manual switch. I drive the car daily in the Spring/Summer/Fall. I haven't found a fan to replace it yet. Any idea? Is it worthwhile to replace it? Thank you for your help! 

 

 

 

You can buy a replacement fan. I bought mine from minispares some years ago. It was an aftermarket part, but was just plug a and play. It seems like the one they sell for the SPI now needs a little wiring mod? https://www.minispar...|Back to search

[mininerd]

Thanks! So, I pulled the two wires off the switch and connected them together with the ignition turned to on position. The fan doesn't spin, but I hear a click. So the problem is the fan in itself. Other options than https://www.minispar...Back to search? Is it worthwhile? Daily driver. Thanks.

[pete l]

So how does the SPI system work ? Is the electric fan on all the time ?