22 replies to this topic

[Readers14]

So my mini has the extra cooling fan in the inner wing but it’s never worked since I got the car.

Whilst overhauling the complete cooling system (a few years ago now) I discovered that there was no temperature sensor or controller for the fan.

A while back I purchased a Revotec fan from Minispares to replace the OE fan but never got round to fitting it.

Now I’m looking around to see what options there are to fit a controller.

 

There are 3 options that I can see:-

 

1. Temperature sensor in the thermostat sandwich plant (involves drilling & tapping the sandwich plate).

2. Revotec self healing controller in the top hose.

3. Manual switch on the dash.

 

Option 2 does appeal to me, but just asking on any advice anyone can give me.

[cal844]

Personally a manual fan is always the preferred option. Alot less to go wrong

[Readers14]

Another thing to add, is that I have a Smiths temperature gauge on the dash to give me an accurate temperature reading.

No second guessing with the OE temperature gauge in the instrument binnacle.

[nicklouse]

Cut and shut one of the hoses and fit a temp sender there.

 

have a sender added to the rad. Or get a rad that takes a sensor.

 

loads of options.

[timmy850]

My friend has used a few of these and they work great. It’s a prewired controller with relays and adjustable on/off temps, choice of temp sender and also a manual override switch

https://daviescraig....fan-switch-0444

[Earwax]

I am being a bit hypocritical here - as I have bought lots of things that i don't really need - BUT

- if your primary cooling is from the standard fan AND you have accurate temp readings AND you haven't mentioned any cooling problems ,,, do you need it?

[roblightbody]

Personally a manual fan is always the preferred option. Alot less to go wrong

But why is it so difficult to have an automatic electric fan in a mini, when all modern cars have had them for decades?

[roblightbody]

So my mini has the extra cooling fan in the inner wing but it’s never worked since I got the car.
Whilst overhauling the complete cooling system (a few years ago now) I discovered that there was no temperature sensor or controller for the fan.
A while back I purchased a Revotec fan from Minispares to replace the OE fan but never got round to fitting it.
Now I’m looking around to see what options there are to fit a controller.

There are 3 options that I can see:-

1. Temperature sensor in the thermostat sandwich plant (involves drilling & tapping the sandwich plate).
2. Revotec self healing controller in the top hose.
3. Manual switch on the dash.

Option 2 does appeal to me, but just asking on any advice anyone can give me.

Does your radiator not have space for a switch in the bottom of it?

[IronmanG]

I could have run mine from the ecu but instead I chose to have a switch on the dash.

[Readers14]

I am being a bit hypocritical here - as I have bought lots of things that i don't really need - BUT

- if your primary cooling is from the standard fan AND you have accurate temp readings AND you haven't mentioned any cooling problems ,,, do you need it?

Coming from an engineering perspective- Why did they fit an extra fan in the first place?

[Readers14]

 

So my mini has the extra cooling fan in the inner wing but it’s never worked since I got the car.
Whilst overhauling the complete cooling system (a few years ago now) I discovered that there was no temperature sensor or controller for the fan.
A while back I purchased a Revotec fan from Minispares to replace the OE fan but never got round to fitting it.
Now I’m looking around to see what options there are to fit a controller.

There are 3 options that I can see:-

1. Temperature sensor in the thermostat sandwich plant (involves drilling & tapping the sandwich plate).
2. Revotec self healing controller in the top hose.
3. Manual switch on the dash.

Option 2 does appeal to me, but just asking on any advice anyone can give me.

Does your radiator not have space for a switch in the bottom of it?

 

Seems like the previous owner has fitted a radiator without the hole for a temperature sensor. Otherwise I would have used that as a switch for the fan.

[sonscar]

Why would you not have it automatically controlled?As mentioned above would you bypass the ECU etc in your modern car and fit a dash mounted switch?Wired correctly it will just work.Steve..

[Earwax]

 

I am being a bit hypocritical here - as I have bought lots of things that i don't really need - BUT

- if your primary cooling is from the standard fan AND you have accurate temp readings AND you haven't mentioned any cooling problems ,,, do you need it?

Coming from an engineering perspective- Why did they fit an extra fan in the first place?

 

 

 

Sorry Readers 14 - no idea - not sure of your model etc - so is it a front facing radiator ?  is it due to Airco.? 

[timmy850]

The drawback of a standard mechanical fan is it:
Flows the least at idle
Can restrict the airflow at high road speed

An electric fan can work at full speed at idle if you’re getting hot in traffic and then turn off at speed. If it’s set up properly with a temp controller it’s really the best option

But if the standard fan works fine for your mini then I’d stick with that

[Readers14]

 

 

I am being a bit hypocritical here - as I have bought lots of things that i don't really need - BUT

- if your primary cooling is from the standard fan AND you have accurate temp readings AND you haven't mentioned any cooling problems ,,, do you need it?

Coming from an engineering perspective- Why did they fit an extra fan in the first place?

 

 

 

Sorry Readers 14 - no idea - not sure of your model etc - so is it a front facing radiator ?  is it due to Airco.? 

 

It has a side mounted radiator (and let’s face it, it’s not the best layout for maximum airflow! Hence the extra cooling fan in the inner wing) and no aircon.