14 replies to this topic

[I hate Brian]

Hi is the SPI expansion tank still needed if I'm converting to a carb setup ?

[sonscar]

Radiator tank?.I would think so.Steve..

[cal844]

I'd keep it as it's handy if the radiator cap or thermostat fail.

[MikeRotherham]

I've got a '94 car with HIF38 carburettor and that has the expansion tank.

[goudoogje]

This has nothing todo with the SPI setup, later carb cars had this expansion tank to, just at another location.

 

I say keep. 

[viz139]

My '96 Spi and my Brothers '92 and '94 carb have the same location under the left wing.

[I hate Brian]

Cheers for the replies but no-one has really given a definitive answer regarding if its necessary or not

[sonscar]

If you want you'r radiator to constantly empty then no,if you like you'r water in the radiator yes.Not quite so simple as this but very close.Mini did not fit it because they thought it was attractive.Even Vizard mentions that some a series empty their radiator and fitting an expansion tank cures it.I would keep it.Steve...

[viz139]

Drive like Miss Daisy and you will be fine. Take the mini for a dash up the mountains in summer with one eye on the road and one on the temperature gauge you may be fine. Rover spent millions on the mini and they thought it should be there so that's good enough for me.

[gazza82]

On some cars the expansion tank has the pressure cap and the one on the rad was simply to stop the coolant coming out .. not sure how it works on and SPi but it that is the way they the rad cap will need to be changed for a pressure cap .. but the rad might not be suitable. Personally if the expansion tank works - leave it. Otherwise when the coolant expands it just ends up on the road ..

[I hate Brian]

okay gents I will refit the tank cheers for all the comments much appreciated

[MikeRotherham]

As Gazza previously mentioned about the radiator cap. If you did decide to delete the expansion tank you would need to use the appropriate cap.

 

The expansion vessel isn't pressurised like the MPI version.

[Norfolk Boy]

I have a 94 hif38 carb model it hasn’t got an expansion tank but does have the carbon canister under the passenger side wing should it have a radiator expansion tank??

[viz139]

Yes it should.

The Rad cap used on minis 92-96 is different to others. It has Two rubber seals  , the one at the bottom seals the rad to allow it to pressurize to 1 bar .on heating up Water passing this seal will enter the expansion bottle. When cooling the seal at the top of the cap prevents air being drawn in and so water is sucked back into the rad from the expansion tank. There is never air in the top of the rad like earlier minis. When fitting the expansion tank half fill it with coolant. 

[Norfolk Boy]

Yes it should.
The Rad cap used on minis 92-96 is different to others. It has Two rubber seals , the one at the bottom seals the rad to allow it to pressurize to 1 bar .on heating up Water passing this seal will enter the expansion bottle. When cooling the seal at the top of the cap prevents air being drawn in and so water is sucked back into the rad from the expansion tank. There is never air in the top of the rad like earlier minis. When fitting the expansion tank half fill it with coolant.

Thanks for that I’ve had the car for 4 years and never had a problem but I’ll try and get one and suss our where it goes ?