57 replies to this topic

[jaydee]

Minis are prome to leaks water and moisture inside the car, even with new good rubber seals, no heater leaks and no rust its easy to get damp inside the cabin, a handful of dessicant bags are very good against condensation.

[skinnyminny]

Hot kettle and a bobble hat!

[scrog]

flush the cooling system. Fit a 92deg stat and place a peace of stiff card or thin ply in front of the air intake for heater. Also give it 10 min's warning up before you drive off

[maggies_minder]

i always thought minis didnt like being left to warm up idling, thought it was better to just get moving?

ive blanked off half my grille which saves the 'lectrics from water too.

[AGoaty]

i always thought minis didnt like being left to warm up idling, thought it was better to just get moving?

ive blanked off half my grille which saves the 'lectrics from water too.

It's not a question of not liking to be warmed, it's about fuel economy. If you leave your car running for 6 mins you could of driven for 1 mile using the same fuel.

If you can't see out of the windows you or someone else could be dead.

Which is best?

Cardboard inside the grille does help. In Winter you can put it all the way across as there is enough air flow from under the subframe for it not to overheat. Just don't forget to remove it in Spring.

[maggies_minder]

wow, i didnt say dont clear your windows!
i was just always led to believe minis really dont like warming up on idle and its more beneficial to warm up on the go.


clear the outside with a scraper, chamios the inside as needed.

[Joe-C]

wow, i didnt say dont clear your windows!
i was just always led to believe minis really dont like warming up on idle and its more beneficial to warm up on the go.


clear the outside with a scraper, chamios the inside as needed.

I've always thought it's best for any car not to be left idling for no reason. I do what you said; clear all the glass then start the car and go.

[AVV IT]

It's not a question of not liking to be warmed, it's about fuel economy. If you leave your car running for 6 mins you could of driven for 1 mile using the same fuel.

I've always thought it's best for any car not to be left idling for no reason. I do what you said; clear all the glass then start the car and go.

I generally have to de ice my car in the car park at work after a night shift. When I do, I go outside, start her up, then go back inside in the warm for a cuppa for 10 minutes. There's no way I'm standing outside with a scraper after a 12 hour night shift, when it's -4 C! (like it was this morning). Besides my engine idles for longer than that whenever I'm stuck in traffic and I'll happily burn 40ish p's worth of unleaded whilst poking two fingers up at the environmentalists, if it means me not freezing my ass off!!

[BVY]

As above, the heater is really good! And mine's 35 years old!!
It's the bit between the heater and the windscreen that is crap! But once the engine is warm just enough heat reaches the screen to stop my breath re-freezing on the screen.
Does anyone know how to improve the vents coming out of the dash?

[Joe-C]

It's not a question of not liking to be warmed, it's about fuel economy. If you leave your car running for 6 mins you could of driven for 1 mile using the same fuel.

I've always thought it's best for any car not to be left idling for no reason. I do what you said; clear all the glass then start the car and go.

I generally have to de ice my car in the car park at work after a night shift. When I do, I go outside, start her up, then go back inside in the warm for a cuppa for 10 minutes. There's no way I'm standing outside with a scraper after a 12 hour night shift, when it's -4 C! (like it was this morning). Besides my engine idles for longer than that whenever I'm stuck in traffic and I'll happily burn 40ish p's worth of unleaded whilst poking two fingers up at the environmentalists, if it means me not freezing my ass off!!

haha fair enough I reckon after a 12 hour shift at -4 C you're excused

I thought it's all about oil pressure being low at idle so less lubrication so more wear and with carb engines like minis you could get bore wash.

[BVY]

I think pouring a pan of boiling water over your frozen windscreen is always a great idea!!

[Noah]

I think pouring a pan of boiling water over your frozen windscreen is always a great idea!!

Luke warm water would actually work.

But I pitty the fool that pours boiling water on a frozen windscreen.

[iMurray]

I drive a seat Arosa... Heats up lovely (;

My mini currently doesn't have a windscreen but it is wrapped up in a dust sheet!