10 replies to this topic

[JMini]

Hi their!!

Just bought a silicone hose kit (1/2 diameter) but not sure its going to fit. My mini spi 94 has got the latest heater matrix with the hose taps on the left pointing up, and i think these taps are for 5/8 diameter hoses.

My heater valve is fixed to the head on the drivers side. Which i think takes 1/2 hose??

My question is, is the above all wrong, can i fit 1/2 hoses onto 5/8 tap safely? Or do i need to get the 5/8 hoses?

Any help GREATLY appreciated.

[Dan]

  Your heater is 5/8", but if you have the head mounted heater valve that is the old 1/2" one.  You shouldn't force the hoses on to the larger spigots.  Presumably there is a hose adaptor somewhere between the valve and the matrix, you would need 1/2" hose between the valve and the adaptor but the rest should be 5/8".  The bottom hose connection is usually 1'2" with a size adaptor to 5/8" and it was like this as standard.

[A-Cell]

Yep as Dan says, you need 5/8 hose. You need 2 5/8 to 1/2 inch adaptors (Minispares MOC210). Use one Adaptor for bottom hose connection, 1/2" end goes into bottom hose take off and the 5/8" connects to heater hose. You then need another one and a short length of 1/2" hose to attach to Heater tap take off on cylinder head. Also appropriate size jubilee clips- 4 off 5/8" hose and 3off 1/2" hose clip

[JMini]

So if i was to get two lengths of 5/8 hose, attach those to the heater matrix, and then attach a 1/2 to 5/8 adapter to each hose, i could then use kit ive bought?

I did think this earlier but sounded a bit botch in my own head, was gonna hide the hose adapters cabin side, so the engine side looks better!

Has anyone done this?

[JMini]

So if i was to get two lengths of 5/8 hose, attach those to the heater matrix, and then attach a 1/2 to 5/8 adapter to each hose, i could then use kit ive bought?

I did think this earlier but sounded a bit botch in my own head, was gonna hide the hose adapters cabin side, so the engine side looks better!

Has anyone done this?

[JMini]

So would you keep the 1/2 kit? or go for the 5/8 kit. Think the 1/2 kit will look better as i can connect hoses with adapters cabin side.

[A-Cell]

Only thing is the holes and grommets through the bulkhead will be for 5/8" hose, so running 1/2" thru will mean the hoses are loose and you will lose the sealing of the bulkhead.

[JMini]

Gotcha, the current grommets look a bit tired, so may replace them with new which take 1/2 hose.

Nothings straightforward with minis. Gotta love'em!!!

[A-Cell]

Too true The older Mini had 1/2" hoses. I fitted a more modern heater to one with 5/8" matrix. I put/hid the 2 adapters inside the bulkhead so it was neat in the engine bay and at the heater connection in the car.
The later minis have a hose each side, so it is a bit trickier to mix and match!

[Dan]

  They aren't exactly normal grommets.  The hole in the bulkhead is a large oval and the grommet is kind of like a bellows.  You will be best keeping the  5/8" hoes running through them.

[iwatkins]

It's a faff, but a 1/2" kit, plus some adaptors to step up to 5/8 and then a length of 5/8 hose will sort you out.

I've seen people recommend just using 1/2 throughout and then heating in boiling soapy water to fit the matrix, but that sounds like a flooded footwell waiting to happen.

Just a thought though, your matrix may have screw in outlets so you may be able to replace with 1/2" units and run 1/2" throughout. But I would then worry about capacity.

Cheers

Ian