hi all
well Moose, our Mini K, should arrive today and I just had a quick question about preventing overheating.

we live in Mackay (super hot and humid). is there anything specific we need to do prevent overheating (e.g. regular change of coolant etc),

am worried the little darling will get heat stress here!
thanks

Deb (super excited - we have named today "Moose Day")

If it has the optional fresh air heater under the bonnet, there should be no problem. These act as an aux radiator (even when off) as there is no heater tap. My 1412 and 1360 with this setup both stay cool regardless of summer temp.

If not fitted, I would add a Clubby heater core behind the grille.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Hi Deb, having to deal with the same climate but a little further up the road, I would start with making sure the radiator is in good condition and clean. That is, an Oz radiator properly cleaned by rodding the tubes and all the fins in good shape. Other thing I would do, particularly if I didn't know the maintenance history of the car is to replace the water pump while the radiator was out, making sure the pump has the deep cast impeller and not the pressed tin crap impeller stuff. Give the block a good flush out, including the back of block drain plug, get it as clean as possible. And, replace all rad hoses and bypass hose (use some heater hose here), and fan belt. Also, replace the thermostat, I use the 160 F one up here. If you continue to have trouble after all this, then do as Kev suggests, plumb in a heater core.
Enjoy your toy

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Steve

Duplicate post - edited out - Mike

Just to add to that;

A mini radiator is only just big enough. Over the years sludge and casting sand ends up in the radiator cores. You only need less than 10% loss of radiatoer area because of the muck build up and you have overheating problems.

Just simply bolting on an aux radiator is only a band aid fix. Much better to have an efficient clean system to begin with and if it still doesn't cope then go the auxillary radiator.

Also if you go on a spirited run and have the engine quite hot, dont just turn it off. Let it idle for a while to disperse some heat.

Mike

The rain getting you excited Mike and making you double post?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

ausmini is so s-l-o-w lately you think it hasn't posted.
And if anyone ticks the box to watch the thread, there is a bug in it that freezes your post.
When this happens I highlight my post, hit the [back] button then F5 (refresh).
usually, it has already posted...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Our internet satellite is scared of the rain. It goes to crap and we get frequent time outs. Hence I maybe jump the gun thinking its timed out.

Mike

Completely drain the system & refill with "CLR Cleaner"...{Calcium,Lime & Rust remover}.Obtainable from your friendly Hardware Store or Supermarket.

Leave it to soak for a while..drain...& give the motor a good flush or 3 .Reverse flushing works well too...against the normal flow. Refill using appropriate coolant additive.

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1974 1150cc Leyland Mini S racer,
1975 No motor Leyland Mini "ute"
1991 IPRA Honda Integra (in the build)
1995 Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi

CAMS Scrutineer

A bottle of brown vinegar does the same thing and its cheaper

.

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ROO the '73 Clubman Window Van had a new radiator, new water pump, new thermostat/hoses/belt and...an auxilliary radiator.

Emphasis is on used rad/pump in good nick, if not new.

NO OVERHEATING with the 1098 pulling a heavily loaded Mini.

In fact, ran just below normal except on the hot dash from Kunnunura to Broome...when the needle sat on N.

I used a new GM pickup heater core (brought with me from Canada) as this setup has done the job in the hottest parts of North America.

Photo: setup in Clubman Van

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Also keep the engine tuned properly. A motor running lean or advanced too far can run a lot hotter.

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..

Another important thing with Minis is to keep the engine and engine bay clean.
If you have a slight oil leak at the timing cover or nearby the fan will suck some of that oil onto the radiator and the mix of oil and grime will prevent the air from removing the heat from the radiator.

I have a few cooling issues of late and will have to look at most of what has been discussed on this thread. Might start my own as not to hijack once im down the track. Brown vinegar ... Really???

I would like to track down a heater core where can i get one?

My guess was that they the hoses connect into the top and bottom radiator hoses??

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PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

You can get a heater core from a wreckers. Different cars have differently shaped and sized outlet pipes.

They hook into the heater hose that comes out the clutch end of the head.