12 replies to this topic

[Alice Dooper]

Hi everyone.

I'm just about to change the coolant in my 97 MPI for the first time.
What's the best coolant? She doesn't need any race / rally spec type stuff.

Anyone any tips for cleaning old rusty water gunk stains from the inside of a header tank?

[jamesmpi]

Any good quality coolant will be fine. Just as long as it is the correct ratio between coolant and water.

Cleaning the header tank is trial and error. I would suggest a stiff brissel bush, hot water and soap.

You may find that the plastic has deteriorated and changed colour so will be impossible to get it white again. Most mpi expansion tanks tend to turn a browny colour over time

[Carvell]

I used HG professional limescale remover

http://www.homebase....-remover-915290

Then add dry rice and block the exits. Then shake it like a maraca.

Then got a bristle brush for a few stubborn bits.

It was well worth the effort

[Steve220]

It must be the blue/green type.

[Guess-Works.com]

I used HG professional limescale remover

http://www.homebase....-remover-915290

Then add dry rice and block the exits. Then shake it like a maraca.

Then got a bristle brush for a few stubborn bits.

It was well worth the effort

 

 

or stuff it in the dishwasher...

[Alice Dooper]

Thanks everyone for all the help.

This forum is brilliant - loads of decent people with plenty of good knowledge to share with someone new to classic Mini's like me.

[Ethel]

The same as what's already in there, the worst you can do is mix different types of anti-freeze. Ethylene-Glycol is spec'd in the workshop manual

[hennasxi]

Very late cars came with pink OAT Organic antifreeze in, a 97 would have had the older stuff in though.   As stated it really doesn't matter as long as you don't mix them.   After 16 years of running my late MPi's with OAT in as per how they left the factory, they are still in fine condition - they even came with a supplement in the handbook stating the car might have OAT in and to check the yellow disc around the expansion tank cap to check which had been put in at the factory.  My cars are Sep 2000 builds, so the last month of production.  Not sure when they changed over to OAT, I guess another cost cutting exercise for Rover as the mini would have been the only car in production not using OAT in 2000 !!

Edited by hennasxi, 05 August 2016 - 08:04 PM.

[Alice Dooper]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've the job done.

I added some radiator flush through for a good while and it worked nicely. Then I gently let water run through the radiator and block until it ran clear, I was a bit scared of putting any pressure through it on the rinse.

The header tank was cleaned separately out of the car. I used some Bilt and Hammer wheel cleaner with a suitably bent worn out wheel brush and it turned out great in no time after a throrough rinse. Didn't want any of that stuff in the system.

It was filled up again with green antifeeeze solution and happy days, job finished and no dramas.

[AlexMozza]

I used HG professional limescale remover

http://www.homebase....-remover-915290

Then add dry rice and block the exits. Then shake it like a maraca.

Then got a bristle brush for a few stubborn bits.

It was well worth the effort

 
 
or stuff it in the dishwasher...

I did that once. Didn't clean the tank, but mum went ballistic!

[Kubbar]

Hello,

 

go with BMW Coolant Blue 50/50 distilled water this what we are using in our country (GCC), the summer is to hot and need to choose a good antifreeze which IS compatible with our condition and weather. and its better to change the thermostat.

 

Some people prefer the red or pink antifreeze one which comes with the factory and one prefer the green and I think its not good for the mini cars for some reasons,

 

 

If any one know how much the capacity for coolant and how much the total liters if the coolant and engine empty of the antifreeze

 

Thanks.

[richardtrivella]

I doubt you still need to know this but incase anyone else viewing the thread wants to know the is 4L

Hello,

 

go with BMW Coolant Blue 50/50 distilled water this what we are using in our country (GCC), the summer is to hot and need to choose a good antifreeze which IS compatible with our condition and weather. and its better to change the thermostat.

 

Some people prefer the red or pink antifreeze one which comes with the factory and one prefer the green and I think its not good for the mini cars for some reasons,

 

 

If any one know how much the capacity for coolant and how much the total liters if the coolant and engine empty of the antifreeze

 

Thanks.

[Kubbar]

Yes i used 4.7 L for the new build engine