16 replies to this topic

[inim_repooc]

Hi all - tonight was my first time defrosting a car and driving with ice about... fun! mini took a while from cold but we got there! 

 

one thing - I noticed that the air being pushed out of the window (dash) vents is pretty lacking in both volume and force? is this just a thing with the heater? that said it seemed to clear the window of mist okay once up to temperature! 

 

 

[mab01uk]

The dash vents are not that powerful compared to a modern car but you can improve things by taping up all the plastic air duct pipe joints from the heater and up behind the dash so that their is no leakage of air before it gets to the windscreen vents. The later Mini's at least have 2 fan speeds!

[1984mini25]

I'm probably the only one on hear that doesn't wait for the screen vents or heater to demist the windscreen. All I do is wipe over the insides of all the windows with a micro fibre cloth, open the drivers window half an inch (it attauacly rattles if closed) set the heater knob to half way (otherwise it never warms up) and leave the heater flap set on car. After a few minuets of driving all the widows are clear and pretty much stay that way, even with a completely non-functioning heated rear widow. 

[finch661]

as said above, the mini heater design (and the vents) arent the best. the minimag did an article on refurbing the heater;

 

• flush the hole heating system
• check for leaks in the heater matrix
• reapply the foam strips within the heater (and seal any joints
• seal the outlets to the pipes (air ones)
• seal the vents (ducktape, silicon)
• seal the vents to the dash rail (i used some silicon)

it made a big difference to me!

 

For demisting, as said, microfibre cloth helps, and i used the rainx anti fog stuff as well

 

 

In my old mg midget, it would never get warm, as any heat went straight out the poorly fitted hood!

[1984mini25]

You'll also find regularly cleaning the windows properly will reduce how often and how much they mist up. That and using the rainx, washing up liquid, shaving foam etc, witch all put a layer on the windows to stop the condensation from sticking and forming in the first place. much the same way as the spit and lick trick used to stop swimming goggles and diving masks from fogging up, although you could look somewhat odd licking your car windows.

 

It's also worth checking that there are no excessive leaks making the carpets etc wet and damp. The same that if the carpets and do get wet, even just from your own feet, remove them from the car and let them dry out inside.

Edited by 1984mini25, 14 January 2016 - 07:11 PM.

[Black.Ghost]

Accidentally break the windscreen and use it as a chance to buy a heated one from Minispares.

Oh, and flushing the system out. If you aren't worried about originality and want something more modern, you can get small heathers that will fit in the same place that are vastly superior to the standard offerings. I believe The Matt looked into them a while back.

[Ethel]

You'll also find regularly cleaning the windows properly will reduce how often and how much they mist up. That and using the rainx, washing up liquid, shaving foam etc, witch all put a layer on the windows to stop the condensation from sticking and forming in the first place. much the same way as the spit and lick trick used to stop swimming goggles and diving masks from fogging up, although you could look somewhat odd licking your car windows.

 

It's also worth checking that there are no excessive leaks making the carpets etc wet and damp. The same that if the carpets and do get wet, even just from your own feet, remove them from the car and let them dry out inside.

Do we need to add a disclaimer about the potential hazard of putting your tongue on freezing windscreens? 

 

(Always wondered what that smiley was for)

[surfblue]

They didnt call them "fug stirrer" heaters for nothing, basically a mini heater is cr@p, there's not much you can do to improve it, its part of the "charm" 

[Slade]

Bear in mind the mini was built in 1959

[inim_repooc]

Lots of really good suggestions! Thanks guys! As for the heater, mine gets plenty hot, recently flushed out as it happens, I keep thinking about modifing the heater to take a better fan designed for high air flow and low noise - I keep wondering about the corsair high flow computer case fans I have lying about...

[lsto]

Buy a heated screen from mini spares. I put one into my last mini and it was the best thing I ever done. Flick the switch, wait 30 seconds and then drive on. If the screen was icy it melted the ice. If you start to fog up as your driving along flick it on for a min and job done. Blinding bit of kit, I will be getting one on any other mini I own.

Brings the car up to date and means you can leave the heaters to actually heat up the car.

[chastings68]

So about the heater fan... I have a 93 sprite and my valeo fan motor died.  It looks like the brushes melted.  Where do I get another one?  Parts houses here in the US dont even list a rover mini; there mini database starts in 2001.

I was thinking of fitting one from a super beetle?

​But I really just need direction.

Thanks all,

C

[CityEPete]

Can our uk suppliers ship to you?

[CityEPete]

Maybe bulk the order up with service items and otger goodies to make a shipment worthwhile?

[FlyingScot]

Or go here..? http://www.minimania...-1969-And-Later

FS