My old plastic expansion tank has expired (cracked and UV damaged). It was not a mini one but a round one that worked well. I have a (what I believe is a) morris type plastic expansion tank but can't see where to mount it.

Is it worth running an expansion tank and if so, where do I put it?

It's a leyland, the round after market unit was mounted in front of the alternator (behind the grille) and was a perfect fit but where does this new oval shaped unit go?

Advice and pics would be a great help.

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Justin

In the summer months and only if your Mini has a problem of boiling (in which case, you have far more problems than a "quick fix" of putting an expansion tank on), you might be able to save it for a few more minutes in idle traffic.

Do you have coolant retention issues?

I keep a brass version of your plastic one fitted behind the passenger front wheel within the arch. It is nice to not worry about coolant levels from one end of the year to the next... but its not totally necessary in an efficient cooling system, just reassuring.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

No, there are no issues although I did notice a 9 pound cap on the tank when I removed it. I have recently upgraded to a 1&1/2"su from a 1&1/4" but that is the only change in more than 15 hrs.

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Justin

I know Mini's came without one, however the Moke and Morris 1100 had them and I suspect that they were not factory fitted to Mini's because they could work out where to put one.

There is no way I would consider running without one. Definitely a 'must have'.

Generally, I use the Moke / Morris 1100 ones. In the Clubbies they go nicely where you have described, just make some brackets

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I have no expansion tank, but I think I might add one at some stage. There's no problem with cooling, but if you go for a drive on a hot day, more coolant is lost than on a cold day (just due to the expansion).

That means if you drive on a hot day and then a cool one, the coolant will be too low on the cool day. I've never had any problems, but I often fill it back up just in case, which means I go through more coolant than necessary.

Just to clarify a little on why I insist on them is not always to cure an apparent overheating problem, but to prevent worse and bigger problems occuring further down the track from air, in any amounts, getting in to the system.

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I am with GT on this. They are something that should be fitted.

I suspect the only reason they didn't fit them standard was cost.

With my Morris 1100 I have never had to top up the coolant in 12 years. I have changed it but never had to top it up.

Cool - sounds like a resounding yes for the expansion tank. I thought this might be the case. I will fit the plastic tank. Does anyone have pics of this type of tank in a mini?? Pics of the bracket would be awesome. Thx everyone for your responses so far.

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Justin

I also voted yes also as I have 1 one in Morris and never had a problem with cooling. at this stage i don't have 1 for Marcia but Yes I will be getting 1 but one

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I also voted yes also as I have 1 one in Morris and never had a problem with cooling. at this stage i don't have 1 for Marcia but Yes I will be getting 1 but one

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I have always used them and never needed to top up a cooling system.

I've used lots of different ones from various cars. Try your local U-Pull-It or Pick-A-Part or whatever they are called. I've gotten brass expansion tanks of various sizes from Rover 3500s, Range Rovers and Morris 1100s I reckon.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

OK - I think a quick trip to U-Pull-It is on the cards. Failing that I will make a bracket for the other one I have.

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Justin

I think from memory that fuel tank straps are the right width, and have a captive nut on one end or the other that you can reuse.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

RWD Holden Geminis (1975-84) have a neat little bracket that bolts between the top of the rocker cover and the air cleaner. It has a captive nut for the air cleaner bolt. Get two of them (there's one on each Gemini) and the air cleaner bolt. It's the perfect size for the job.

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2