27 replies to this topic

[happyhayleysinging]

Bought my prized mini, a 1995 mini sprite, and she has stared first time every time.  I'm going to start using her for work so need her to be reliable as I do drive around a little.  Everybody has their own opinion but friends have suggested I need the cover for her electrics.  I think it is called a weathershield but when I have gone to minispares website they talk about having to removed the gearbox to engine bolts to fit one.  Do I really need one and is the the only style I can get

[Dusky]

I have one on my car, but never used it after the rebuild.
First time I drove the car was in a terrible rainstorm, didn't have any problems with it :) SO probably you will be fine.

Electronic ignition helps alot though.

[alex-95]

They can make a big difference when it's raining, keeps the distributor dry. You only need to take off the rocker cover bolts to fit 2 brackets. Thats the only style you can get or you can make your own, Like i've done.

[Cooperman]

So long as the ignition system is sprayed regularly with Ignition Sealer and some non-conductive grease or similar is put onto the distributor cap, leads and coil connections there should ne no need for the weather shield. Remember, the rally cars, which drive through mud, big puddles, deep fords and heavy rain & snow don't have a weathershield.

[lsto]

I have mine as a daily and I have the weather shield fitted. Never had any problems anyway but every little helps. For the sake of 2 mins fitting it may stop me being conked out in a puddle when I'm late for work at 5am on a rainy Monday morning...

[mab01uk]

Bought my prized mini, a 1995 mini sprite, and she has stared first time every time.  I'm going to start using her for work so need her to be reliable as I do drive around a little.  Everybody has their own opinion but friends have suggested I need the cover for her electrics.  I think it is called a weathershield but when I have gone to minispares website they talk about having to removed the gearbox to engine bolts to fit one.  Do I really need one and is the the only style I can get

 

I would recommend one is fitted......you can omit the lower fixing bracket as long as the two top fixings are secured. I have never used the lower fixing in years with no problems, just tuck it down between engine and grille, you may need to trim a new plastic shield in places anyway to avoid cables, etc.

[Mini Manannán]

So long as the ignition system is sprayed regularly with Ignition Sealer and some non-conductive grease or similar is put onto the distributor cap, leads and coil connections there should ne no need for the weather shield. Remember, the rally cars, which drive through mud, big puddles, deep fords and heavy rain & snow don't have a weathershield.

 

I don't have a weathershield, don't spray any of the sealer-goo around  nor smear the grease.  I drive the car every day in all weathers without any problem.  Quality leads (Lumenition in mine) are the answer in my opinion.

[AVV IT]

If you have electronic ignition, (which you would have on a 1995 model) then they're less of a necessity. I'd still fit one anyway though, especially if you use your mini over the winter months, and have them fitted to both my minis. If nothing else, they help stop rain water, dirt , salt and road spray from getting all over your engine block & ancillaries. I really wouldn't bother with the lower mounting bracket though, most people only fit the two top brackets that are mounted to the rocker cover bolts. Those that actually have the bottom mounting bracket fitted rarely actualy use it, because it's such a faff trying to unfasten/refasten it every time you need to remove the weather shield.

[nicklouse]

never bothered with one when I used a Mini as a daily back in the 80s/90s

[brownspeed]

I have a sheet of rubber in front of the dizzy,  general.jpg   39.26K   11 downloads rivetted behind the grille.

[Aaronslimvw]

my clubman was shocking in the rain until I fitted a shield. suppose its easier for water to get in on a clubby.

[Mini 360]

Proper maintenance negates the need for one.  Better off without it

[nicklouse]

my clubman was shocking in the rain until I fitted a shield. suppose its easier for water to get in on a clubby.

more than one of my dailies was a clubman. so no.

[Mini 360]

I would say a clubby is harder to get a wet ignition system in as the grille is much higher and narrower

[Gerbil367]

My first Mini was a pain in the wet until I put a rubber washing up glove over the disi, zip tied the finger holes around the HT leads and it was a good un - didnt run it long like that (changed car and this one has electronic ignition) so no idea how long lasting the glove was.  Did work though