12 replies to this topic

[croc7]

I’m considering installing an aftermarket electric fan on the ‘74 mini and am curious if it would compromise the airflow/efficiency of the engine driven fan pushing air through the radiator. This particular engine tends to run a bit warmer than I like in the summer, stuck in traffic. Thoughts??

[68+86auto]

Make sure the ignition and fuel system is adjusted and working 100%. That'll solve a lot of cooling issues. If either are out, they create heaps of additional heat.

People are quick to try and fix the symptom (overheating) instead of the cause.

[Midas Mk1]

Electric fan on the inner wing, keep the mechanical fan. Any performance engine will run warm in traffic in normal weather with a standard rad, even with a 2 core they creep in traffic. 

[nicklouse]

First make sure the mechanical fan is fitted correctly.

 

an electric fan is only any use if you are stationary at any other time it is reducing air flow.

 

you don’t say when your car is running hotter than you like.

you also do t say what that temp is.

 

if you are comparing it to your modern car it is most likely fine.

[mab01uk]

All 1275cc Rover Mini Coopers 1990 onwards had an auxiliary electric fan in addition to the mechanical engine driven fan. The factory fitted electric fan from 1991 has a large circular hole in the inner wing and a fan like below mounted under the wing up inside the wheel arch, until the launch of the last MPi Mins with front mounted radiators.

https://www.minispar...-point-inj-only

 

 

This fan is pretty easy to fit under the wheel arch of an earlier Mini by just drilling 3 mounting holes in the inner wing and adding some small spacers to the three support mounting legs, as the SPi Mini has a large hole cut out in the inner wing for the fan blades to sit in closer to the radiator.

 

Edited by mab01uk, 13 December 2024 - 09:59 AM.

[Steam]

The fan will put a blockage in the middle of the rad flow which given the small size of the rad will negate any extra cooling

[cooperd70]

Croc7

I fitted the full kit from minispares. Expensive, but comes with everything required. Others on the forum have been able to do it much cheaper by buying the parts separately...I just wanted to fit it and forget it.

I have run it with and without the mech fan fitted and engine cooling was fine either way. I can't remember if the instructions said to remove the mech fan or not. Eventually though I kept the mech fan fitted along with the electric with the thinking that if the electric fan ever failed I'd not be left on the side of the road.

It runs very well with the mech fan doing most of the cooling with the electric fan only cutting in on a very warm day in awful traffic...and it cools the car very efficiently until back to normal operating temp.

[JXC Mini GT]

I fitted a manually controlled electric fan for when the weather is extremely warm (rarely) when stuck in traffic, one thing when fitting it is to make sure the fan is positioned suitably to not be affected when on full steering lock. 

[bangermadness08]

You can buy a 10inch universal fan from eBay about 20£. They’re the same ones as on mini spares etc and will save you heaps of pennies. Just make sure once it’s wired in, the fan flow is pulling air through the radiator not pushing into

[croc7]

First make sure the mechanical fan is fitted correctly.

an electric fan is only any use if you are stationary at any other time it is reducing air flow.

you don’t say when your car is running hotter than you like.
you also do t say what that temp is.

if you are comparing it to your modern car it is most likely fine.

When pushing over mountain passes, fairly common to see 210/215 on the temp gauge with heater valve open., it is a large bore engine. Otherwise, under normal conditions, no problem. However, last summer, stuck in traffic with outside air temperature in the 90’s-no fun watching the temp gauge climb. Hence the thought of installing an additional fan.

[Steam]

I fitted an aux radiator on the front. Mine is a heater core from some jap car or other but you can go as big or as small as you want.

[IronmanG]

I fitted an auxiliary fan, and the cowl and giant rubber band. Since fitting the cowl I don't remember using the aux fan. And there isn't anything to go wrong as it's not mechanical

[Kevybmini]

I installed a Minisport Ali radiator with thermal switch in the bottom, 10inch spal fan fitted inside the wing (wheel side) moves more air than cheapy Chinese ones 

Override inside the car just encase. Works well,