13 replies to this topic

[Shaggy33]

I've spent the last few days trying to get my heater assembly to fit nicely and make the hoses and ducts look reasonably tidy when I suddenly thought hang on do I really want or need a heater as I quite like the look without.
Are there any obvious disadvantages apart from the obvious one which is to use the heater as an auxiliary engine cooler when temps get high.
The car is only going to be a weekend nip about round the lanes and the odd show/event, it'll never be a daily user sitting in traffic and I certainly won't choose a freezing cold day to go out in it.
Sooo any reasons not to remove it?!

[nicklouse]

IT takes little to steam a mini up.

If the carpet is slightly damp it soon get warmed up by the exhaust.

I would not not have one in a road car.

Edited by nicklouse, 29 September 2016 - 10:38 PM.

[sledgehammer]

screen misting up - esp on a wet day - the weather is so unpredictable 

 

moving air around the car will stop the interior getting musty / damp

 

you can get a compact heater

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...KgAAOSwuMFUfFkd

 

no idea what these are like ?

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...rUAAOSwawpXsT1J

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...MkAAOSwGIRXYSir

[Will16]

If its all fitted in now, I'd leave it, but I took mine out as the matrix was leaking and have made do, I just keep the window cracked about 1" when its raining and it stops it steaming up.

[Spider]

It maybe a MOT fail without one - I don't know, but raise it so you can check.

 

Certainly here in Sunny Australia, cars made after 1971 have to have one for the Windscreen Demister, without one, it's a defect.

[pauleh1]

I took mine out to give myself more room to get to the clutch, haven't looked back and I have less rattles for it.

 

It's not a part of the MOT test as far as I know.

 

As Will16 says, just crack the windows open to let some fresh air in.

 

Edit: Oh and changing the clutch master cylinder is so much easier with no heater in the way when removing/fitting the clevis pin!

Edited by pauleh1, 30 September 2016 - 08:30 AM.

[Danyul1275]

I flipped the matrix in mine so the hoses come off on the passenger and just fibreglassed the holes up on the drivers side, makes it look a hell of a lot neater and saves the hoses getting in the way of the clutch pedal

[Shaggy33]

Thanks guys, think I will take mine out all things considered. Can always add it at a later date....

[scrumpix]

a car without a heater is so uncivilised !

[tiger99]

I don't know when a demister became a legal requirement, but it is on new cars, and required for IVA. You may get some idea by checking when the base model Minis, particularly the van and pup, ceased to become available without a heater. Or, search through the Construction and Use Regulations and their amendments...

Basically I would suggest that a demister should be regarded as essential safety equipment. Whether you also have provision for warming the occupants is up to you.

Edited by tiger99, 30 September 2016 - 04:40 PM.

[sledgehammer]

could a fan , without a heating matrix be considered a demister ?

 

could be made much smaller & close to the screen

 

lorrys tend to have a fan to move air across the screen to dehumidify the screen - they work well

 

also could be possible to use the latest type of electric heater element with a small fan - just to be legal

Edited by sledgehammer, 01 October 2016 - 09:56 AM.

[Will16]

AFAIK for an MOT you just need a way to clear the windscreen, so a rag or one of them blocks would pass

[Richie83]

Mine passed with it removed entirely. But I didn't remove it and I'm considering something like this https://www.ebay.co....tm/201558791408 or the lightweight heater above. I was hoping that would be enough to act as a demister.

[tiger99]

Using a rag on the move to clear the windscreen is theoretically liable to attract a charge of driving without due care and attention, and certainly will if there is an accident and plod becomes involved. So can eating a bag of crisps. I must admit to having done that on occasion, but it is bad practice and does increase the risk of an accident, like using a mobile phone, which I never do. People perceive risk in very strange ways sometimes.

But never mind that, think about the sheer convenience of a proper, indeed better than standard, heating and demisting system. It may be more compact and lighter than the original too. The various kit car suppliers have the bits. It may be that a simple electrical thing will do, but watch your alternator rating!

Just because it is a Mini, there is no need nowadays to be without basic creature comforts and safety aids.