Priprema Minija za zimu!!!

[Brutalac]

Standard Mini Winter Checks

In order to keep your Mini in full working order this winter, we have put together a small guide of things to check, besides the routine servicing...

Cooling System
Antifreeze is a must in a Mini for the winter. A Winter mix of Antifreeze to water over the winter will stop any potential problems with freezing conditions.
Cooling Hoses. Check the condition of all of the cooling hoses, checking for obvious signs of splitting, especially around the joint?s in the bottom hoses.
Make sure the thermostat is opening, this can be simply tested. If a thermostat does not open fully in boiling water, it should be discarded and replaced. If the thermostat is stuck open, this will be apparent upon removal, and should again be replaced. New gaskets should also be fitted after testing or replacement
Fanbelt. It is important that this is correctly adjusted, if it is too loose it will slip and cause wear. It will also stop the alternator and water pump from working efficiently. If there are any signs of wear, replace

Electrical System
As standard, on the engine steady tie bar, there is an engine earth wire. Check that the contact points at both ends of the wire are not corroded, and that the wire is not badly frayed. If it is, replace. Earlier cars were known to have these fitted to lower engine stabiliser, this can be retro fitted there if battery discharging is a problem. Also check the battery earth wire, as above, and replace if necessary. Removing the battery and trickle charging overnight occasionally will keep the battery in good condition, as demand is heavier during the winter on electrics.
Distributor. Assuming correct service intervals are maintained (points, rotor arm, cap, condenser etc) Check that weather shields are securely fastened, and any clips replaced as necessary. On earlier cars, distributor and coil covers are readily available to help shield the ignition from the elements.
All lighting bulbs should be checked, with cars being driven home in the dark as the winter draws in a quick check on all exterior bulbs should be made.

Wipers
Make sure all wiper blades are in good condition, and replace if necessary. Wiper arms should be checked for spring strength. If they are easily lifted from the windscreen, these should also be replaced as they will not be keeping the blades against the screen correctly. Ensure windscreen washer fluid has the correct mix of winter screen wash, and keep this regularly topped up. Ensure washer jets are not blocked, and correctly adjusted.

All of the above should be done in conjunction with regular servicing

Useful Part's List

88 degree thermostat
Thermostat housing gasket
1 litre Antifreeze
GCB10838 Fan Belt
GCB10825 Fan Belt
GMB50920 Fan Belt
Engine Earth Strap
Battery Earth Strap
Engine Electric Shield Kit
Replacement clips for above
Distributor Cover
Coil Cover
Black Wiper Blades
Heavy Duty Wiper Kit Right Hand Drive
Heavy Duty Wiper Kit Left Hand Drive
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Might have 16 valves but still a mini!

[Brutalac]

Gore je text o pripremi standardnog Minija za zimu a na dnu su linkovi za dijelove koje je dobro prekontrolirati i zamijeniti po potrebi...

Jednog dana kad ce mi se dat cu i prevest na Hrvatski...a mozda me neko i preduhitri...
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Might have 16 valves but still a mini!

[vajzgaj]

RSPCT!

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2kul4skul

[Brutalac]

Ovo je clanak u kojem pise kako olaksat voznju po zimi...pogotovo ako Mini nije standardan...

Winter is coming, and with it various issues that affect Minis used throughout the year, no matter what the conditions. This month's consideration is cold running and why a plethora of tuned Minis simply quit running when pulling up. Ignoring the few that are down to various other ailments, the main issue is just the cold weather. Those that suffer more than most are those with tuned engines with aftermarket manifolding, exhausts and air filters. The standard OE set-up ensures a warm air supply to the carb until the engine has warmed up sufficiently then diverts cooler air in. Trashing the standard air filter in favour of a freer flowing, better looking, less space consuming (or whatever reason replacement is deemed necessary) after-market unit looses that initial (and extended in the case of really cold weather) warm air facility. The odd one or two companies offer warm air induction kits to help correct the balance when needed. But even these do not conquer carb freezing in very cold or cold/wet weather. There are things that can though?
If you have an ally inlet manifold with a water-heating facility - generally a pipe sticking out of each side of the manifold - then connect this up. Take a hose from the heater tap or heater tap take off point on the right hand end of the head and connect it to the right side of the manifold, then take a hose from the left side of the manifold in to your heater feed pipe. Usually you can use the existing pipe from the heater tap to the left side of the carb, then get a short piece of hose to connect the right side to the heater tap. Check the hose and pipe sizes though as some have different fitting sizes. If adaptation looks necessary from one size to another - your local auto-factor should be able to help. Gates (as in cam belts and general auto hosing) do some brilliant and really useful water pipe adaptors.
Fit the next warmer running spark plugs from those fitted. Being a fan of NGK I use BP5ES in place of BP6ES (most standard-ish fitments and mildly tuned motors), BP6ES in place of BP7ES (fairly modified motors with higher compression ratios in the order of 10.5-1 or more) and BP7ES in place of BP8ES (seriously modded motors with high compression ratios). You'd be surprised how much difference this will make.
Make sure a decent set of spark plug and coil HT leads are fitted. Dodgey, ancient HT leads can cause severe resistance dramatically reducing the firepower of your spark plugs. You don't need anything fancy. Those super-sonic, mega-buck 8 or 10mm 'performance' leads are a waste of money since all that 'size' thing is merely there for heat protection - not an issue in a Mini! They are still generally only carbon-string cored leads. I favour the Lucas 'Speedline' leads. Cheap and exemplary service.
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Might have 16 valves but still a mini!

[Kramer]

ILI:

...krajem jeseni svoj Mini pospremite u garažu i čekajte proljeće...


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Oni su mali, ali su veliki, mislim nisu vise mali ali su dovoljno veliki da ne budu mali