15 replies to this topic

[newenglandmini]

I'm unable to remove the fresh air inlet duct from the wing.  I don't see any way to disengage it from the wing.  Can someone provide guidance?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Viewed from above:

 

 DSCN4792.JPG   58.39K   43 downloads

 

Viewed from under right wing:

 

 DSCN4793.JPG   66.86K   30 downloads

 

 

 

 

[jaydee]

squirt WD40 around it, then wiggle it and move it so the inlet points upwards and it should come out with some persuasion and swear words.

Beware that once removed, they're a pain to replace...

[newenglandmini]

Cheers mate, I'll give it a go.

[Dusky]

I removed mini a week orso ago.

Do this at your own risk :

Take a big screwdrive and lever it out bit by bit. Then you take a hammer and a big screwriver and give 1 good tap on the upper side and it shoudl come loose right away. Don't hit toohard, don't know how strong this is.

 

Grtz!

[Dusky]

Will come out via engine bay only by the way

[Dan]

  As Jaydee says, twist it upwards.  They have a kind of bayonet fitting moulded into the plastic.  If you force it out without turning it you are only making it harder for yourself.

[Tamworthbay]

+1 on being a pain to get back in. I tend not to bother and just enjoy a bit of extra space in the engine bay.

[M J W J]

A little heat from a wall paper stripper or similar heat gun can soften the plastic a little making it more flexible and easier to remove.

 

Just remember to push the plastic back into shape before letting it cool.

[newenglandmini]

Thanks for all of the hints.  Should be doable now.

 

 

+1 on being a pain to get back in. I tend not to bother and just enjoy a bit of extra space in the engine bay.

 

 

 

Clive, I like the idea of not reinstalling the duct segment.  The manufacturer must have had a reason for providing it in the design however.  I am concerned about the resulting airflow affects.  Does the absence of the duct segment result in engine bay fumes entering the passenger compartment?

[Tamworthbay]

Thanks for all of the hints.  Should be doable now.
 
 

+1 on being a pain to get back in. I tend not to bother and just enjoy a bit of extra space in the engine bay.

 
 
 
Clive, I like the idea of not reinstalling the duct segment.  The manufacturer must have had a reason for providing it in the design however.  I am concerned about the resulting airflow affects.  Does the absence of the duct segment result in engine bay fumes entering the passenger compartment?

No fumes, there shouldn't be any in the engine bay anyway. If you think about it the air under the wing is turbulent so any fumes wouldn't reach the hole anyway. Obviously the corrugated hose is missed off as well. I blanked off the bulkhead hole with a plate so guaranteed no fumes/ water ingress. BL did it as a cheap way of getting fresh air in to save on the cost of the heating system. I just open a window.

[Rog46]

I had to remove the horn and the coil first!

[newenglandmini]

 

Thanks for all of the hints.  Should be doable now.
 
 

+1 on being a pain to get back in. I tend not to bother and just enjoy a bit of extra space in the engine bay.

 
 
 
Clive, I like the idea of not reinstalling the duct segment.  The manufacturer must have had a reason for providing it in the design however.  I am concerned about the resulting airflow affects.  Does the absence of the duct segment result in engine bay fumes entering the passenger compartment?

No fumes, there shouldn't be any in the engine bay anyway. If you think about it the air under the wing is turbulent so any fumes wouldn't reach the hole anyway. Obviously the corrugated hose is missed off as well. I blanked off the bulkhead hole with a plate so guaranteed no fumes/ water ingress. BL did it as a cheap way of getting fresh air in to save on the cost of the heating system. I just open a window.

 

Clive, I thought you had simply removed the inlet duct and left the corrugated duct in place.  Of course without the inlet duct there is no wing mount for the forward end of the corrugated duct.  I want to retain the fresh air inlet, because we spend a lot of time on motorways in the US, and it's unpleasant to drive at speed with the windows open.  I'm plan to reinstall the full system.  I think MJ's suggestion re: softening the duct with heat may work.

[Tamworthbay]

What you need is a pair of climair wind deflectors

[newenglandmini]

Job done.  I was unable to rotate the duct due to interference with the body.  I just pulled the duct straight inboard and it popped free.  There was no key in the assembly, therefore rotation would have been of no benefit.

[mullet]

Job done.  I was unable to rotate the duct due to interference with the body.  I just pulled the duct straight inboard and it popped free.  There was no key in the assembly, therefore rotation would have been of no benefit.

Hi Newenglandmini / other members.  I have the same issue.  So it was brute force in the end?  What exactly comes off, and what is left after you pull?  Is there a remaining stump inside the engine compartment that you can slot it back onto?  Or does it mean it gets pulled out from the wheel arch (leaving that congregated pipe it was attached to dangling inside the wheel arch and another new (bigger) problem)?