[BRGreenie]

Bought my MCS in the Summer and I'm really pleased with it - 100% reliable - no probs - 6000 miles etc etc.

However as the morning temperature turns a bit parky I do what I always do on the early morning drive to work;

After engine gets warm, turn heat to max, turn blower to max and direct hot air downwards on to my frozen feet ( I have a problem with cold feet ).

After two or three miles my feet thaw out and I turn off - end of problem.

BUT on MINI the 'down' arrow directs hot air onto feet but half of it also goes up though the two round vents each side of the dash and my head and shoulders feel like they're in a sauna.

This is the only car I have ever had that does this ( over 30 cars ) whats wrong with directing air onto the feet only?

Is this a problem for anyone else?

and apart from blocking the vents with kleenex is their any way to fix this?

all suggestions welcome!!!!!

[NEMINI]

Afraid I'm of no help I have climate control and usually leave it at 68/70F all winter long

[vegasmini]

I am not sure exactly how the air/vent system works in the MINI (I don't get mine for a few more months), but most cars have a vacum controled diaphragm that controls a flapper that diverts the air (either on the floor, on the dash, both, etc.) I would think that the diaphragm could be broken, stuck, or might have a vacum leak. It is possible that the flapper could also be electronically controlled (instead of vacum controlled). In this case, it might be binding up on something or not recieving propper voltage.

I would call the dealership and have them look it over.

-John

[BRGreenie]

Thanks for that - can anyone with the manual aircon confirm that the same happens to them

ie select down arrow on the dial but get hot air going down and upp through the two side vents????

If nobody has his problem I'll have to get mine sorted!!

[goonermini]

Yeah I think that is all part of the design. The vents that air still blows from point on the windows - I assume to make sure they don't fog up.

But in my vast experience of cars (I used to drive a Rover Metro, and before that a Tonka truck when I was three!), I am sure my Metro was exactly the same, i.e. you could close off the vents and whatever but there was always a bit of air coming out of the vents that pointed on to the side windows and windscreen.

Hope that helps (but I don't think it does!). I think tissues to block up the vents are your only solution!

gm

[Hat]

i have manual air con & i can't say i've noticed this. i think gooner is right - some air is always directed out through the window vents, but not like how you've described. might be worth getting the dealer to have a quick butchers - could be a hose connected up to the wrong inlet somewhere. do the rest of the settings for air circulation work ok?

[BRGreenie]

I think everybody is right here - but on my other cars only about 10% of hot air is sent to the screen - whereas MINI sends 50% through the side vents - which means my head and shoulders get roasted long before my feet thaw out!!!

[Tone]

You're definitely correct, BRGreenie. Can't recall coming across such a complicated system. It too is directed at feet, but after the Cotswold run, next day had swollen eyes where the cold blower, which was used intermittently, had been used for the round trip.

[theminiv]

maybe some thicker socks?

[BRGreenie]

Quote: Originally Posted by theminiv

maybe some thicker socks?

Good idea - and in the winter I'll warm my shoes on the radiator overnight

Thanks all for your opinions!