7 replies to this topic

[baj43]

Hi all,

Purchased a 95 model SPi last year, the heater did not work when I bought the car but not having owned a mini for over 20 years I was not sure what the problem was. Any a leaking rad ended up in not only replacing the radiator with an all alloy affair but the heater cable was replaced, the heater outlet pipes as these where completely blocked up bit basically decintigrated upon removal, the matrix was replaced it was looking worst for where and judging by the date stamp was probably the original. Anyways I hosed the system out when everything was apart,I've now replaced everything including waterpump and one of the heater pipes leading to the in-line valve, I tried filling the cooling system, the system gets hot one side of the heater valve but not the other and there is no heat in the cabin? I have left the heater pulled out so that it open when I fill the system and tried running the car with the rad cap off to allow any trapped air to escape but still no joy. I've drained the system twice now.

 

I assembled everthing back as it came off so I'm assuming it was correct in the first place, this may be a daft question but when connecting the inlet/outlet pipes back upto the heater matrix does it matter which way the pipes go? I've attached a photo, the pipe nearest in the photo marked 'w=car heater hose' is a new pipe which is connected to the in-line valve, the pipe behind is the original moulded pipe which I assume is the outlet. Would this set up be correct or does it not matter?

 

Any other thoughts/suggest most welcome, thanks.  INLETDSC_1138.JPG   49.75K   8 downloads

[cal844]

Heat control lever needs to be IN on later cars, my 1993 car has the same set up and its in for heat, out for cold :)

[baj43]

Hi - thanks for reply, on mine when the heater lever is pulled out this opens the heater valve, when the valve is open does this let in cold?

[cal844]

Hi - thanks for reply, on mine when the heater lever is pulled out this opens the heater valve, when the valve is open does this let in cold?

Having the valve open will allow heat in(hot engine coolant) you may have an air lock in the heater circuit( what i do is split the heater pipes in the engine bay, (at the heater valve,) then fill one pipe till the coolant mix starts to pour out the other hose)

Then what i do is connect the heater pipes up, fill the rest of the system then run the car upto temperature

Edited by cal844, 21 July 2015 - 08:32 PM.

[baj43]

thanks for the feedback, will try that. I was hoping it was just an airlock in the system but without a separate bleed valve I was not quite sure how to remedy it.

[spiguy]

I have drained / re-filled mine a few times lately for one reason or another, and each time I have had a cold heater until I have taken the car out for a good run. It gradually cured itself each time - think it's just a prime location for air lock. If you can't get it to go on the drive, and you are happy that the main cooling circuit is circulating OK (gauge working correctly, top hose hot once up to temperature, heat coming out under the passenger wing etc) then just take it for a drive.

[baj43]

Hi - refilled the loop a couple of times now as per your suggestion, definitely makes a significant difference filling the system this way. Still not getting much heat in the cabin though, not having owned a mini for over 20 years not sure how effective the heating system is anyway when in full working order. When inside the car the pipe attached to the valve is getting hot but the pipe at the back of the heater matrix is still cold, also as per your comments the top hose gets hot once upto temperature as does the top of the radiator itself but the bottom of the radiator remains cold. Its appears as though the water is not circulating correctly but I'm hoping this is just an air lock causing the problem. Suppose I won't fully know until I take it for a drive.

[cal844]

Hi - refilled the loop a couple of times now as per your suggestion, definitely makes a significant difference filling the system this way. Still not getting much heat in the cabin though, not having owned a mini for over 20 years not sure how effective the heating system is anyway when in full working order. When inside the car the pipe attached to the valve is getting hot but the pipe at the back of the heater matrix is still cold, also as per your comments the top hose gets hot once upto temperature as does the top of the radiator itself but the bottom of the radiator remains cold. Its appears as though the water is not circulating correctly but I'm hoping this is just an air lock causing the problem. Suppose I won't fully know until I take it for a drive.

Give it a good run, i stick to 60 mph, take some mixed antifreeze with you(just incase!)

Edited by cal844, 04 August 2015 - 09:35 AM.