I am missing my Radiator Shield on the Exhaust side of the radiator. My problem is when I get on the freeway and go 65mph my water temp goes up. When I go less then 55mph my temp will go back to normal. I think my problem is the air flow going throught the front of the car is pushing the exhaust air back against the firewall and keeps the hot air trapped in the engine compartment. I have replaced about everything with the cooling system. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem? I am making a shield right now to see if it helps. Mini Mania has one for $90, but I thought I could make one.

Thanks
Jason

 

I am a little confused when you say radiator shield on the exhaust side. The classic mini had a top and a bottom shield, are you talking about a classic and if so what is the year? What is the link to the item you stated on MM parts list?

 

When I say the exhaust side I mean the opposite side of where the fan is. I should have said Radiator shroud instead of shield. I can't seem to find it on Mini Mania anymore. I have a 1968 mini.

Thanks for any help
Jason

 

You are talking about the shroud that mounts the radiator to the engine? Do you have a picture of it? Typically there is a bottom half that mounts off the bottom of the block and to the bottom half of the radiator, the top half bolts to the water intake on top of the cylinder head.

Does it look like one of these? This is a picture from Heritage Garage at www.heritagegarage.com You can probably find one from http://www.7ent.com/sub.cfm?lastfoun...ownum=5&id=325
This is the one piece. There are probably guys around that have used ones both one piece and 2 piece. Let me know if this is what you are talking about. And if you don't have this on your car I would say this is a very good start to fixing your problem. Being that it is a 1968 the 2 piece would be the one that came with the car.

 

You could try and fit an electirc fan that fits under wing(fender) left side that draws air through rad...........as fitter to late mini's 1990-98..........

 

Do you mean the radiator cowl?


If so I think I have an extra one (new) for a Mk1. If I do, you can have it for $40. I can't check until tonight.

 

R you sure you have your fan on the right way?

see: http://members.tripod.com/austin_america/id77.html

 

minimad, yes that is what I am missing. If you have one let me know, I think it will solve my problem (hopefully).

Yes I am sure I have my fan on the right way. The reason I think I do is because it runs at normal temp sitting still or on the local roads. I understand the higher speeds create more heat.

I am thinking of adding an electric fan. I opened a cover on the right fender. I was thinking of putting a fan there also. I didn't know which way to face it. Do I push air out through the right fender or pull air in, the direction of the current air flow. I did think about adding a fan to the Radiator also.

 

I wanted everyong to know what I have done to the cooling system.

new Tropical fan, rebuilt the radiator, new radiator cap, new themostat, new water temp sensor, New gaskets (not leaking).

I think that is it unless I forgot something. I am going to put new hoses on but the current ones are not leaking and look good right now. I have done quite abit of work in the engine compartment in the last year so I would have a good running car. I know it is a mini and things just pop up.

sorry mercy I didn't get any pictures yet. I am working alot this week. I am not sure if the parts in the picture that I need are 2 and 3 or 15.

Thanks for your input.

Jason

 

The fan PUSHES air out through the fender.

I'll check my parts bin tonight for the cowl, but I'm fairly certain I have one.

What you experience is not uncommon. I have a flip front w/o any inner fender wells. I'm okay here on FL unless I run the freeway over 60 mph.

I am going to add an auxilliary radiator. It's actually a heater core from a Ford, but is 1/3-1/2 the size of the Mini radiator and made of aluminum. Will tie it in through heater supply hose routing and add a valve.

 

yeah I know the air is pushed out, but what do you think about a fan on the right fender. Which way do you think I should direct the air, out through the right fender or with the flow of the current fan. This would bring air in from the right, across the engine out the left fender.

Thanks for checking, I'm assuming it will work for my MK2?

Jason

 

This is considered the cowl? What do you call the pieces on the engine side of the radiator? Does it have a different name? This is the piece welded to the inner fender, if this isn't there it effects the cooling at higher speeds?

 

Proper air flow is: for the air to flow from the engine compartment out to the wheel well. the electric fan pulls air thru the radiator out into the wheel well....

 

so everyone agrees that my missing cowl is my problem? I think it is, just wanted other input.

thanks

 

References:

a) Classic Motorsports, Nov 2008, Keeping Cool, p 107 (even has a Mini as the lead shot)
b) MiniWorld, Oct 2008, Workshop: Getting it sorted 1: Cooling System, p 100

Curious that the most recent copies of both of these (very useful) mags cover the same topic....

 

Are you in the US? Where do you get copies of MW in the US?

 

After buying a few copies at Barnes and Noble I've subscribed for the last few years.

I didn't say it was inexpensive .... altho the info in the tech col' is priceless.....

 

Hmmm.. they don't have it on their website. Do the mags make it to you in good shape?

 

I don't think a fan on the other side will make a bit of difference. the rush of air at speed through the grill will certainly negate any airflow from a small fan.

BTW, I do have an extra cowl/shroud that mounts to the inner fender.

 

Who's "they"?

If you mean B&N ... not every location carries it, but I found it at several and Borders too

I get MiniWorld delivered in better shape and more reliably then I get MC2

Subscribe direct at http://www.miniworld.co.uk/