10 replies to this topic

[DanRobinson]

Hi,

i have an 87' Mini Advantage that has started leaking from the Heater i believe. it drips onto my clutch pedal and makes it quite slippy.

i first noticed it when i got out of the car and realised my left shoe was wet. i dont think it is a massive leak as i would be able to see the drips but it must be continuously loosing a small amount of water. my footwell carpet is now sodden.

Any ideas?

thanks !!

[Bannon]

I have the same problem..you just need to replace the heater matrix, minispares sells them for £50 i believe, i temporarily have the heater hoses bypassed in the engine bay to stop the leaking onto my clutch foot!

Hopefully this was some help

Nathan

[ShoutforJoy]

It may not be the heater/matrix - it is possible that rainwater is getting in at some point around the windscreen/scuttle. But having said that it is most likely to be the heater.

How is the coolant level in the radiator? This will give you a better idea of how much is leaking.

First check the pipes where they connect to the heater, you may have a split or a loose connection. Get the engine warm, put the heater onto hot and then get down in the footwell and have a look for the leak.

Replacing the heater matrix is straightforward, the trickiest bit is probably bleeding the system afterwards. I recently changed mine and put in one of these - http://cgi.ebay.co.u...6#ht_1383wt_905 - £36 inc p&P.

[MRA]

How sure are you that it is the heater matrix and not the clutch / brake master cylinder leaking ?

[DanRobinson]

Well i know my heater is defiantley faulty as it smokes when it is turned on. a white smoke with a very sweet taste.

i havent done any extensive searching for the source of the leek but it seems like that is the only possible thing above my foot.

[sx_turbo]

as a temp fix (can be permananet if it's not a high performance engine)

put some kseal in you cooling system, costs about £10, but my god it's good, i sell tons of it at work and it can provide a life time seal, and the best thing is it doesnt clog up the cooling system, only where the leak is, and as soon as you drain down the system the kseal goes aswell so no damage is caused.

obviously it is better to get it fixed properly but this will provide a quick temporary fix until u get to fix it properly


EDIT: will also pinpoint the where the fault is if the peddle stops getting wet

Edited by sx_turbo, 18 May 2011 - 02:33 PM.

[DanRobinson]

brilliant i will look into it. im going to get dirty this weekend and have a brows and try and find the area its leaking from - even if i have to watch for a hour to see the drip - but its definitely leaking somewhere down there.

[mini 4o]

hi
i always use araldite, remove the maxrix and clean with hot water leave to dry on the radiator in doors,
when dry and warm mix up the araldite and apply filling the complete lip,
leave over night on the radiator to harden.

i know its a bodge but it works for me. or has done on a least six mini's.
if you find then you take it apart, its allready been done, could be one of my old mini's,
so the repair (bodge) must be at least 10 years old


john

[liirge]

as a temp fix (can be permananet if it's not a high performance engine)

put some kseal in you cooling system, costs about £10, but my god it's good, i sell tons of it at work and it can provide a life time seal, and the best thing is it doesnt clog up the cooling system, only where the leak is, and as soon as you drain down the system the kseal goes aswell so no damage is caused.

obviously it is better to get it fixed properly but this will provide a quick temporary fix until u get to fix it properly


EDIT: will also pinpoint the where the fault is if the peddle stops getting wet

I really hate this stuff, it buggers the radiator capacity to cool as it gunks up all the little passages, its also a nightmare to get out of the block, without getting the lot chemically cleaned.

[Brams96]

I replaced my matrix with an all copper version LINK * it has made a huge difference. No more leaks & it pumps out LOTS of heat. As for the smoking part of your heater it might be easier to just buy a second hand one from ebay & fit that then you can refurbish your old one completely, & swap them back when done.

[sx_turbo]

I really hate this stuff, it buggers the radiator capacity to cool as it gunks up all the little passages, its also a nightmare to get out of the block, without getting the lot chemically cleaned.

KSEAL doesnt do this,

other coolant leak stop brands do like BARS LEAK and wynn's, but kseal does not, which is why i recomended it.

as i said it is only a temp fix but doesnt bugger anything up