27 replies to this topic

[rik_t]

Hello,

 

This is the first year I've been running the mini on the cold days/nights. Really been struggling with windows misting up. Just wondering if anyone has found a useful method or product to buy to help stop this? Currently driving around wiping screen which get worse over time.

 

Thanks

[Jordie]

On a mini theres not much you can do

 

- Ensure no water leaks

- Check if carpets are damp etc.

- Use rubber mats to prevent water from feet soaking into carpets

- Make sure the windscreen is clean and dont wipe it, this only makes it worse next time.

- Heater on and turned to windscreen setting. Open drivers window 1/2 inch.

 

 

I used to have a dehumifider bag thing on the parcel shelf and one by the dashboard. You can get them on ebay for under a tenner (for a pair) and they can be dried and reused. I got a type which were in a bag which laid flat and was heavy enough not to move (unlike the cheap plastic type you get in the supermarkets).

 

Theres also heated windscreens available to buy. Also anti fog type stuff, but never tried this myself.

[Alex_B]

Apparently the heated windscreen you can buy is a good one to help demist quickly. Obviously a little bit more of a pain to do than applying something however once its fitted you dont have to keep wiping the screen with a product.

[ace01]

Rainex antifog is very good.

[AVV IT]

Firstly make sure you making the best of what you've already got. The classic mini heater is actually pretty effective at demisting if it's in good condition. The problem is that over time it can become less effective and leak warm air from just about everywhere, meaning very little makes it up to the windscreen. The other issue is that if your heater matrix is gunged up with years of debris and corrosion, then it probably won't be producing very much heat in the first place. So a couple of hours spent flushing the matrix/heater circuit and giving your heater/ducting a bit of an overhaul might be all that is required. Even a just few minutes spent eliminating air leaks in the demister ducting/ vents, using a roll of black electrical tape, can make a huge difference.

There is a foam sealing strip inside the heater that stops all the heat produced from being blown straight into the car, this can perish over time so that little heat gets directed up to the screen. Check the condition of the corrugated demister ducting tubes too, these can crack in places (especially where they tightly bend) and leak warm air, also a cable tie, or some insulation tape, around where each of the demisters ducts joins the heater and the demister scoops can tighten up the joins and stop warm air leaking out. Also check that the screws that hold the demister vents haven't come loose from beneath the upper dash rail.

[firstmini]

I had a new heater matrix last year & while the car is on the drive warming up until the choke's off I have the windows down an inch and no heater on, within 10 minutes of warming up her up and the choke coming off we do the school then work run with windows up and heater on, by this time the cars warmed up enough to fill the car with toasty warm air!

[blackbelt1990]

My heater gets TOO hot! I'm forever turning it on and off! Lol

[rik_t]

Firstly make sure you making the best of what you've already got. The classic mini heater is actually pretty effective at demisting if it's in good condition. The problem is that over time it can become less effective and leak warm air from just about everywhere, meaning very little makes it up to the windscreen. The other issue is that if your heater matrix is gunged up with years of debris and corrosion, then it probably won't be producing very much heat in the first place. So a couple of hours spent flushing the matrix/heater circuit and giving your heater/ducting a bit of an overhaul might be all that is required. Even a just few minutes spent eliminating air leaks in the demister ducting/ vents, using a roll of black electrical tape, can make a huge difference.

There is a foam sealing strip inside the heater that stops all the heat produced from being blown straight into the car, this can perish over time so that little heat gets directed up to the screen. Check the condition of the corrugated demister ducting tubes too, these can crack in places (especially where they tightly bend) and leak warm air, also a cable tie, or some insulation tape, around where each of the demisters ducts joins the heater and the demister scoops can tighten up the joins and stop warm air leaking out. Also check that the screws that hold the demister vents haven't come loose from beneath the upper dash rail.

 

I have my heater cable pulled out and never seem to get any heat, I would love to have the problem of it being too hot lol. Is it an easy job to clean the matrix? are there any guides?

[spiguy]

 

I have my heater cable pulled out and never seem to get any heat, I would love to have the problem of it being too hot lol. Is it an easy job to clean the matrix? are there any guides?

 

 

Check that the valve is actually opening when you operate the cable. Alternatively (and I plan to do this as my heater is not as hot as it should be due to a dodgy valve) remove the valve and join the hoses directly with a piece of pipe.

[firstmini]

 

Firstly make sure you making the best of what you've already got. The classic mini heater is actually pretty effective at demisting if it's in good condition. The problem is that over time it can become less effective and leak warm air from just about everywhere, meaning very little makes it up to the windscreen. The other issue is that if your heater matrix is gunged up with years of debris and corrosion, then it probably won't be producing very much heat in the first place. So a couple of hours spent flushing the matrix/heater circuit and giving your heater/ducting a bit of an overhaul might be all that is required. Even a just few minutes spent eliminating air leaks in the demister ducting/ vents, using a roll of black electrical tape, can make a huge difference.

There is a foam sealing strip inside the heater that stops all the heat produced from being blown straight into the car, this can perish over time so that little heat gets directed up to the screen. Check the condition of the corrugated demister ducting tubes too, these can crack in places (especially where they tightly bend) and leak warm air, also a cable tie, or some insulation tape, around where each of the demisters ducts joins the heater and the demister scoops can tighten up the joins and stop warm air leaking out. Also check that the screws that hold the demister vents haven't come loose from beneath the upper dash rail.

 

I have my heater cable pulled out and never seem to get any heat, I would love to have the problem of it being too hot lol. Is it an easy job to clean the matrix? are there any guides?

 

 

I replaced mine, was only like 2 bolts behind heater unit which makes it drop down then swap the matrix over - followed haynes manual and was pretty straight forward even for a car beginner like me! Unsure on cleaning it though

[spiguy]

My heater gets TOO hot! I'm forever turning it on and off! Lol

 

Lol... glad it isn't just me. I seem to always be switching it on and off, and putting the window down and then up again. I've always done this in minis, thought I was just nuts!  Also I switch the fan off then hear lots of noises that I don't like, so put it back on again!

[blackbelt1990]

My heater gets TOO hot! I'm forever turning it on and off! Lol

 
Lol... glad it isn't just me. I seem to always be switching it on and off, and putting the window down and then up again. I've always done this in minis, thought I was just nuts!  Also I switch the fan off then hear lots of noises that I don't like, so put it back on again!

Haha, I took the valve out of mine so I can't turn it down either lol

[Wiggywithahailo]

As a london cab driver I have the same problem even driving a new cab it's just something they do.
I find as above a clean windscreen don't wipe it and a through breeze by having both windows cracked is also very effective this is also why most cabs have rain guards fitted

[rik_t]

Thanks for advice, been out and seen the end of the heater cable was not connected to the valve. Connected up and cable now actually moves the valve. Now will wait for next spin out to see if I have some warm.

Edited by rik_t, 25 November 2014 - 01:37 PM.

[Cooperman]

With the early heaters on our rally cars we used to add a strip of pespex about 3" high on the screen lower rail to direct the air as much onto the screen as possible. We fixed the strip with small brackets and that seemed to work.

Then along came gold-filament heated screens and the problem was instantly gone. They do take a bit of electrical power and a good alternator is essential, but a heated screen does not need to be on all the while, just to get the screen clear initially and the heater should do the rest.