10 replies to this topic

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

Good day folks. I have just acquired a 1986 Mini and nearly froze to death bringing it home one night as it has no heater. The heater unit is on its way but a look under the bonnet shows no take-off point for the water. The car has had a heater at some point as I found a plugged  up return pipe. The place on the cylinder  head  normally used for the feed water has the two screw holes but the centre hole is as cast and blocked. My question is - do I break open the usual take off point or can I access the water elsewhere? Any help gratefully received. 

[nicklouse]

Either open the hole up or fit a sandwich plate under the thermostat housing.

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

Either open the hole up or fit a sandwich plate under the thermostat housing.

Thanks Nick, both those ideas sound good to me.

[whistler]

If the head is still on the engine then watch out for swarf going into head when drilling the central hole out.

[steeley]

The tap, hosepipe or well

[cal844]

If you will be drilling the head make sure you fill the system to wash the swarf out the head by the drilled hole. Depending on the year of head The two smaller holes should be tapped from the factory

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

Many thanks all. I intend to punch the hole blank out and then fish out the bits with a magnet. I have ordered a valve and cable so they should be with me quite soon.

[sonscar]

Personally I would drill the blank hole out,unless that is what you meant by "punch",Steve..

[jaysmini1983]

i would fit a sandwich plate and inline heater valve if the head is on the car. 

[cal844]

It depends on what year of car the engine is fitted. I don't think there is a hose that will be suitable (to be neat and tidy) that will go from the thermostat sandwich plate to the LH of the engine bay (like a 1980 MY car would be)

[maccers]

I have the same on my engine, blank hole with 2 screw holes either side. Mine is an spi head, so using the sandwich plate, but just run it direct to matrix and back again, so no on/off tap. I can’t feel much difference in both cold and warm days, but don’t use the car much, but when I do am sure the additional cooling helps keep engine coolant a bit lower.