chriswood206
6 posts
Joined: 24/01/2005 09:32:37
Location: knaresborough United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
please help!!!! radiator
i have had nothing but nightmares with my mini, i have posted problems before, the newest is i was dirving home last week, and the min started to steam out of the left wheel arch, i thought there would be no water in my radiator as i hadnt checked it for a while, but i filled it with the problem stil occuring only worse, so i replaced the whole radiator yesterday, but the problem is still there, and it is leaking risty water out of the botom of the car, i have checked all the hoses etc, but i am now stumped and in need of some help asap, any help is apreciated. thanks
Posted: Feb 15, 2005 01:05 PM
pickme
672 posts
Joined: 08/09/2004 23:10:14
Location: Chippenham United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Look at all the places where water goes in and out. With the radiator replaced we can rule that out (assuming you didnt hole it putting it in) so that leaves; 1. Hoses - Check all of them along their full length, not just the ends. 2. Water pump and thermostat seals - check all round the edges and down the side of the engine for signs of water. Use kitchen roll to wipe around the hoses to check them. The rusty water shows up easily and allows you to wipe off surface water and chech again with a dry hose. If that doesnt show anything up, do a visual check with the engine running. Check all round the pipes and all round the engine and give the pipes a bit of a wiggle. The water is under pressure so finding the problem is easier. Watch out for the fan though!!! You dont want to get your fingers/arm/hair/tie etc caught in that.
Posted: Feb 15, 2005 05:16 PM
wrinkly
59 posts
Joined: 10/09/2004 08:51:29
Location: POTTERS BAR United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
radiator hoses
when I designed our radiator hoses I spent months trying every configuration on different engines and worked out a bottom hose that would fit everything. The old basic shape was wrong and Rover must have realised this when the got to the 1990 models as they redesigned the lower curve plus adding all the outlets. The difference on top hoses is because the thermostat elbow points out at a different position on 998c to 1275cc. I do not think anybody makes a 998cc type top hose in silicon as very few people have ever requested them and tooling is expensive. People with highly tuned 998 often use a 1275 head are therefore able to use the 1275 silicon top hose.
Posted: Apr 15, 2005 10:05 AM
Minimad
47 posts
Joined: 28/02/2005 17:58:43
Location: Bristol United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Radiator
I may be wrong but I belive the question you should be asked when you buy a new radiator is What size is the engine? ie 850cc, 998(1000)cc, 1275cc. What you must avoid is a post 96 radiator as this was for the new mpi engine! Again not 100% on this but I think 1982 was mk3! Hope this helps.
Posted: Apr 24, 2005 02:02 PM
Dr Phil
2 posts
Joined: 23/12/2004 22:44:18
Location: Romford United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
New Radiator
Hi, I have a 1990 Mini City E and it is in desperate need for a radiator, iv had a look around in the mini spares shop and there lots of different types of radiators and i have no idea which one i want!! If someone could point me in the right direction i would be very greatfull! Thanks ^_^
Posted: May 16, 2005 02:58 PM
raphael
39 posts
Joined: 24/09/2004 18:18:08
Location: Firenze Italy
Well, I dont know your car model. But reading Haynes and RTA manuals I didnt found very great differences in radiators, obviously except cooling power. In Mini Spares there is a classic radiator and I think it should fit well. Others present more cooling power, so it depends on your climat. The more hot is your weather, the more cooling you should need... Take this advise at your own risk.
Posted: May 17, 2005 01:52 PM
Vince
68 posts
Joined: 31/01/2005 17:24:31
Location: Seneca United States
radiator...
Advice for rad removal... Try to loosen the hose clamp as much as possible. Remove all the bolts and brackets and other hoses and start pulling the rad upwards. You should be able to reach down with your other hand and reach that bottom clamp while pulling. If you still cant loosen it, use a flat screwdriver to try and pry it off. I was able to loosen mine enough to pull it loose. If the hose is in good shape, just put it back on when your done - with a NEW stainless steel hose clamp. If its sketchy looking, now is the perfect time to replace it. If you have to, cut it off. Getting your car cooling properly is important enough to do this right. Taking the radiator to a shop will be FAR more effective than a flush. They will soak it in a caustic bath for a couple of hours and run pressurized cleaner through it. You cant get it nearly as clean with a simple flush. Plus, the top of the rad will be a cool copper color when youre done. Remember, its far more expensive to repair or replace a warped head that a bottom hose... Vince
Posted: Jun 24, 2005 02:47 PM
Rich
7 posts
Joined: 14/01/2005 18:31:32
Location: Yeovil United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Metro radiator conversion
Hi, I would like to fit a metro radiator to my mini (clubman), does anybody know if it is ok to put in the radiator without the electric fan because it doesnt really fit, there isnt really enough room, if it has to be there is the any way of making more room for it?
Posted: Aug 28, 2005 06:47 PM
António
1 posts
Joined: 29/01/2005 12:49:41
Location: Braga Portugal
Radiator Cap
Radiator Cap 13 lb. Pressure - GRC1111 p/Mini 850 MK1 - 1967 This radiator Cap it uses sealant it rubber ?????. I request urgent reply. Regards
Posted: Dec 09, 2005 12:45 AM
mostly_harmless
Joined: 25/01/2006 15:23:06
Location: Verwood United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Draining Radiator
Hi, This may sound like a daft question but here goes. Theres a sticker on the side-mounted radiator on my K-reg British Open Classic that says Do Not Drain, which is a shame as I want to drain it and replace the coolant that, top-ups aside, is the same that was in there when I bought the car 3 years ago from a local garage. I cant think of any reason why the radiator shouldnt be drained, but Im too old-fashioned to just go ignoring warning signs. Does anyone know why the signs there, and if it can be safely ignored? Cheers! Dave.
Posted: Jan 25, 2006 03:52 PM
Dirk-Jan
19 posts
Joined: 24/06/2005 08:08:00
Location: Kropswolde Netherlands
Radiator sender unit
('94 British Open Classic 1.3i) I noticed that the cables usually connected to the sender unit, at the bottom of the radiator, where disconnected, one green wire and a black one, which one should be above the other one? So upper plug, green wire and lower plug, black wire or the other way around? Thanks for your input! Dirk-Jan. The Netherlands
Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:09 PM
How to fit an Expansion tank to side mounted radiator mini
Hi
Can anyone tell me how to fit an expansion tank to a mini with a side mounted radiator. If possible any ideas regarding parts required and where to source would be great.
Thanks in advance
Nathon
Posted: Jan 02, 2007 05:58 PM
John
1948 posts
Joined: 28/05/2006 16:49:46
Location: cambridge United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
i think the morris/austin 1300 used one maybe if u could find one then set it up as it is on that. there not common these days tho.
Posted: Jan 03, 2007 05:44 PM
taffy1967
1783 posts
Joined: 27/09/2006 18:58:07
Location: Rhondda-Cynon-Taff United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Well the expansion tank as fitted to my 1990 Mini Cooper Mainstream would suit you i'm sure and simply screws to the bracket behind the radiator.
The trouble is Moss no longer stock it even though it's clearly displayed in their parts list (I believe it's item 31, part number :- PCF10060):-
Moss Link
So it might be worth trying Somerford Mini Specialists as their downloadable PDF parts lists should show it or just give them a ring.
Somerford Mini Specialists Link
Posted: Jan 03, 2007 10:32 PM
Rob
34 posts
Joined: 17/09/2004 20:29:45
Location: Wellingborough United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Hi there
I had a problem with overheating on my mini and consequent loss of coolant so as a temporary measure, I fitted an expansion tank from a Morris Ital/Marina that I had laying about in the garage. This was very simple and just needed the tank fitting inside the car in the passenger footwell on the wheelarch using a simple bracket and a slightly longer overflow pipe from the radiator to the expansion tank through one of the many existing holes in the bulkhead. The radiator cap on the radiator was done up as normal but the one on the expansion tank was left loose. This way the coolant pushed from the radiator as it overheated was sent to the expansion tank and then sucked back into the radiator as it cooled down. therefore no loss of coolant . I ran the car for 6 months like this with no problems.
Posted: Mar 24, 2007 10:42 PM
Ben
105 posts
Joined: 28/12/2006 11:44:23
Location: Worcester United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
repacing radiator hose
hi,
does anyone know if it is difficult to replace the hose which leads from the radiator to the heater, can i do it myself?
thanks, Ben
Posted: Mar 25, 2007 06:14 PM
I can't imagine it'd be difficult? Perhaps tie a long piece of string around the old one as you pull it through and then tie that around the new one, so passing it through the bulkhead is easy?
Posted: Mar 25, 2007 06:56 PM
Jazzmasterflex
11 posts
Joined: 23/02/2007 21:40:30
Location: Glasgow United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
ADVICE ON Radiator upgrade PLEASE!!
This thread and its posts are moved to a new topic Classic Mini Technical Section.
Posted: Apr 04, 2007 11:21 PM
Hi, I'm just new round here. Got a y2000 rover mini 7, 1275 Mpi. Bought it a year ago and last year in the summer it overheated A LOT. I live in glasgow and our summer's are not that hot! I turn the heater on whenever I drive, just had it fully serviced so everything's sweet, but I'm wondering is there anything I can do to make the cooling system more efficient?
It has standard everything, rubber hoses, front-mouned radiator etc. orange antifreeze (appropriate for the later models I believe?) but noticed website product grd974 metal radiator, will this improve things? I would like to travel to europe in my car in the summer, but in the current state it's going to be too much of a headache and virtually undriveable! Any suggestions welcome...
Thanks,
Chris.
Posted: Apr 05, 2007 05:17 PM
Tim
1849 posts
Joined: 18/10/2004 09:40:59
Location: Bournemouth United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
It seems unlikely to me that such a new car would be suffering from a blocked radiator. Have you replaced the thermostat? That would be a good place to start.
Posted: Apr 06, 2007 08:00 AM