18 replies to this topic

[PaddyShepherd]

Get rid of the air vents,they do nothing unless you are moving over 40 and add to loads of road noise

Apart from providing ventilation into the car and significantly reducing condensation that is!

The standard mini heater has only one fresh air intake, meaning it recirculates 50% of its air from inside the car. Unless you permanently drive with a window open, blocking off the air vents causes damp air inside the car to be recirculated, causing condensation problems and adding to corrosion problems.

I

do they have to be mini specific or can it be any so long as the diameter is roughly correct?

I have a spare set of these unused dash air vent tubes from custom consoles that I don't need, if you're interested.

http://www.ebay.co.u...ce#ht_791wt_757

Is it really as bad as the way you've described it above? I barely use my heater anyways, even in winter, or the air vents for that matter. I only use it to help clear my windscreen if it gets steamed up.. but even then it's much simpler to open the window, or the roof.

I've already bought the speakers now, too. If I change my mind I will get back in touch regarding the tubes, thanks!

How about if I directed the air from the vents down to under neath the dashboard, out into the footwell? Would that work? Could do that and have the vents always open, or create a new bracket to sit below the bottom dash rail with the air vent shutters fitted?

Edited by PaddyShepherd, 13 July 2012 - 01:24 PM.

[AVV IT]

It can certainly be an issue, and the classic mini has enough issues with corrosion as it is, without doing anything to promote condensation and a damp environment inside the car. If you don't use the heater very often, then in effect this will compound the problem slightly, as you're then not getting a great deal of ventilation in via the heaters fresh air inlet either.

The key here is adequate ventilation though, whether you achieve that by using the standard vents/ducts, by modifying them to vent elsewhere, or simply by opening the windows/ sunroof regularly doesn't really matter. Also, even if you don't use the heater, using the heater blower on the cold setting regularly will certainly help with ventilation, as it will help circulate fresh air entering the car through the fresh air intake.

Edited by AVV IT, 13 July 2012 - 03:03 PM.

[PaddyShepherd]

It can certainly be an issue, and the classic mini has enough issues with corrosion as it is, without doing anything to promote condensation and a damp environment inside the car. If you don't use the heater very often, then in effect this will compound the problem slightly, as you're then not getting a great deal of ventilation in via the heaters fresh air inlet either.

The key here is adequate ventilation though, whether you achieve that by using the standard vents/ducts, by modifying them to vent elsewhere, or simply by opening the windows/ sunroof regularly doesn't really matter. Also, even if you don't use the heater, using the heater blower on the cold setting regularly will certainly help with ventilation, as it will help circulate fresh air entering the car through the fresh air intake.

I think I will try and create a mount for the vents just below the bottom dash rail. Similar to the speaker pods people put there near the door, but I'd only really need one flat piece really, i think?

[MiniMonty]

Blah Blah Blah - it's going to rust and fall apart anyway - enjoy the corners - you live once.