What is the best option for coolant in a Mini used in warmer (and non-freezing) conditions?
I understand the ethylene glycol used in some coolants reduces the heat transfer rate, thus reducing its efficiency to cool the engine.
The upside of the ethylene glycol is that it increases the boiling point a bit, but hopefuuly we don’t get that hot.
Any recommendations?

I use Nulon ethylene glycol (25%) in my 1412 and 1360 motors, neither has ever overheated. Radiator is a stock 1970 Oz one (16 fins/inch) and a MiniMatic heater.
[edit] rad cap is 82°C

_________________
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.

Now that my radiator cap actually fits ( the most ignored part of the process when looking at overheating !!! ) , I,m using 30 % Rust Inhibitive , 20 % Coolant and 50% water , my system is stable , no problems , the only time its got past halfway on the gauge was a warm day stuck in traffic

13 pound cap
82deg thermostat

.

_________________

If your running one of those (aweful) alloy radiators, the choice of coolant is critical. If your running the stock copper job, then most coolants will be quite OK.

_________________

A while back I had a brain fart as I mixed poured my castrol glycol concentrate into my radiator. I was aiming for a 50:50 ratio of glycol and water, but poured in 2.5 litres of glycol instead of 1.5. This meant that less than a litre of water went in, and the ratio was up around 5:6.

I drove it for a couple of weeks before I put it back to rights (I was pressed for time during uni, and had to come up with a clean solution to retrieve the wasted glycol). I have some very accurate digital gauges installed in my car and I was able to see the difference straight away. I found that yes, the car ran hotter, but not by much. About 2-3 degrees was the maximum change. There were hot days in there as well, but the temperature remained stable at the slight increase. It wasn't anything to get concerned over I suppose, but it's not worth wasting the expensive glycol anyway.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

The best one I have found is the one sold by Toyota. It is red and does not EAT at any alloys when it meets with Air. Most others I stay way from regardless their "pretty colours". They act like an accumulator from the tests we have done. You get what you pay for.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

make sure you get the concentrated one from Toyota, the one you mix 50/50 with demin water... their new premix is a ripoff and not as good at least that's what the spare parts guy at my local dealer tells me - he thinks it's hilarious i spend the dosh on their good coolant for a 40 yr old car....

What is the dosh for the Toyota stuff anyway?

Its a little less than 15 dollars per litre for the Castrol coolant.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

you like them that much you are in awe of them?

_________________
tim
68 Deluxe 1293, HIF44, megajolt/EDIS4, daihatsu alternator..

'a mini is for life, not just for christmas!'

I had this in an engine that was stored for just on 28 years. I was expecting the absolute worst when I pulled the drain plug on the block, but was very pleasantly surprised when it came out green and on pulling the welsh plugs the block was still grey inside - no rust at all!

_________________

Yeah, it really Awes me every time I see them split, crack and corrode to the point of choking! That is really one of them 'Awe-shit, again!' moments......

_________________

I hate the way that the little radiator places are all closing due to the cheap Chinese imports.

Out of curiosity, how old is the copper one in your Morris 1100?

_________________

44 years old. I have not touched it in the 12 years I have owned the car. I don't know if it has ever been out. It looks like the original core.

Hmmmm....I'd like to see one of those chinalloy radiators go 4.4 years.......

Even BL learnt the hard way. The first Metros had alloy radiators, they soon went back to copper.......

_________________