Ok everyone I got a weird issue here. I have a R53 MINI an last couple of with the temperature in the 20's there is a draft coming from under the dash and underneath the steering column. It's so bad coming from under the steering column I had to stuff a rag in it. :( even with the heat on full blast on my feet I can only feel a little under coming out of the vent. Ideas?

 

Is it Bud Light or Coors?

 

Pffft GUINESS!

 

Is there a gasket in the firewall that is missing?

 

tbearmini , that's what I was thinking.
Maybe someone did not put the seal #6 correctly on the firewall, its kind of hard to get in place if someone replaced the steering column lower spindle. You will also hear the engine noise more.

#6 in the pic seals near the firewall and then to the bottom of #2.



Then there are little blind plugs near that region also.

 

May have to climb under there myself because I hear more road noise from under the dash.

 

Excellent!

 

well as soon as I can get the opportunity I will check that it seems everything has been against me working on my
MINI lately

 

The inner and outer seals at the bottom of the steering column are a PITA to get back in correctly. I left an inde shop after a repair some years back and on drive home had wicked road noise I never had before....I found both seals dislodged. When I called their shop I was told to just put them back together, would not be a problem. I did the best I could with the inside one to at least cut down on the noise, but not successful with the outer one.

Unfortunately, there just isn't enough room or a good angle to get to the outer seal unless the sub frame is dropped....So I eventually went back and had them fix it right.

 

I've checked all the seals that I could and didn't see anything that looked out of place. :/

 

Did you check the seal on the outer edge of the firewall ? The one that's harder to set back.

There is also some plugs down there. I would check in that area too.

If you have cold air coming directly from the lower vent and everything else is fine, you might have a bad lower vent flap motor. If you have the automatic climate control , try set the heat to the top dash vent and the center vent, then tpo the floor to see if the motors will redirect the air. Also make sure you did not bump the A/C button. Turn the heat to max and the temperature to the highest setting. Then let us know what you find.

Thanks

 

When i got my MCS i had a draft from under the dash too. It was because the previous owner took out the cabin filter and cover. Hope this helps you.

 

Well it has been awhile since I have posted or replied to this thread. However I did figure out what the draft under my dash was coming from. Near the steering column and clutch pedal you'll see a gasket that allows the fluid line to the master cylinder. If you see this gasket pulled back at all there is a real good chance that could be it especially if you've had any wires run from underneath your hood cause if would be a great place to run them. So check it out if your having issues.

 

Thanks for the update.

It looks like this, the little gasket on the clutch line correct?



Part # 11 Clutch Line * gasket is not a separate part


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/21526774286/






Thanks

 

Yea that looks like it is in the firewall you will know when you see cause the hose going through it goes directly to the clutch pedal you can see it really well if you remover the knee bolster under the steering wheel. I f you do that you will look directly at it. Mine wasn't even out that far kinda halfway out I never would have thought it would have been it at all.