Hypermiling a classic mini... help?

[HowGudAmI]

Really good help guys!.

Quick question -

Today i drove 6 miles - slight ups and downs but mostly flat. i engine ON coasted where possible and p+g'ed.

I then took the 6 mile return journey 2 hours later - used the same techniques.

My car never hit it 'N' on the temp gauge. It would normally get to this point easily within the first 4 - 5 miles of travel. This must be a sign i am doing something right (working the engine less)? or is it not?

But surely this reduced temp could hurt economy/other things? would i be better to run it like normal up to operating temprature and then adopt P+G etc.

[MetroMPG]

Ideally, you should block your grille such that your cooling capacity matches your new, efficient driving style. Then you kill 2 birds with one stone: you get a somewhat faster warm-up (and retained heat), while also gaining the benefit of reduced aero drag.

Edit: another mod that would help the big picture is a plug-in coolant or block heater. (Though I wonder how common/available they are in the UK.)

[HowGudAmI]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Ideally, you should block your grille such that your cooling capacity matches your new, efficient driving style. Then you kill 2 birds with one stone: you get a somewhat faster warm-up (and retained heat), while also gaining the benefit of reduced aero drag.

Edit: another mod that would help the big picture is a coolant or block heater. (Though I wonder how common they are in the UK.)

I thought that a grill block would help here- particularly as most of my trips are short. - but it is something i would have to remove when i took any 'hard' trips for the car (it has gotten too hot on me before from pulling a constant 70mph uphill in hot weather for the UK - i know this is worst case but i do not fancy reducing my cooling capacity when i know it can struggle)

[MetroMPG]

So, you could design an adjustable/variable block (others have), or a "quick release" style for no-fuss removal when you know you're going on one of those worst-case trips. All within your control!

[yostumpy]

Ah! now we are getting somewhere! It normally runs up to N temp quickly. It gets HOT on an uphill at 70. its got poor mpg. I'd double check the timing, as if its out this would cause the running hot when worked,(assuming the rad is ok.) Also I've got a MK1V spitfire, and that was running rough, turned out it was the condenser had gone. has it got much grunt when not pushing it, iirc if its a bit flat, requireing a heavy pedal then its retarded, but if it fluffs , then zooms away, its adavnced. It should potter around nicely without either.


Also, what do you mean ' any hard trips for the car' are you going to be a part time hypermiler? Once you start this it becomes addictive and a way of life, not easy to forget for a day!

[HowGudAmI]

Might look in to a removable block.

Originally Posted by yostumpy

Ah! now we are getting somewhere! It normally runs up to N temp quickly. It gets HOT on an uphill at 70. its got poor mpg. I'd double check the timing, as if its out this would cause the running hot when worked,(assuming the rad is ok.) Also I've got a MK1V spitfire, and that was running rough, turned out it was the condenser had gone. has it got much grunt when not ushing it, iirc if its a bit flat, requireing a heavy pedal then its retarded, but if it fluffs , then zooms away, its adavnced. It should potter around nicely without either.

How do i check the timing?

The car pulls well when i give it beans and will also hold a nice steady speed. The response to throttle changes is quick - it really does seem to 'perform' well in everything i throw at it - except running above 60, which the car is noisy and slow at - but they must all be like that LOL.

[yostumpy]

have you not got a haynes manual?, if not ask on the mini forum, a static test should suffice. check the gap, as well.
I used to have a Woleley Hornet (mini based thing) and a mini van, both were regularly stuffed by me, both would hold well over 70 all day, and never get hot, and both gave remarkable mpg considering.

[HowGudAmI]

Originally Posted by yostumpy

have you not got a haynes manual?, if not ask on the mini forum, a static test should suffice. check the gap, as well.
I used to have a Woleley Hornet (mini based thing) and a mini van, both were regularly stuffed by me, both would hold well over 70 all day, and never get hot, and both gave remarkable mpg considering.

I have a Haynes so will have a browse.

Come to think of it there is a vacuum leak at the dizzy end for my vac advance. What would this cause?

[yostumpy]

That means your losing vacuum, so not advancing your timing with increased revs, meaning at higher revs you are retarded, hence the heavier foot and high temps.Not sure how much but its a start!

[HowGudAmI]

Originally Posted by yostumpy

That means your losing vacuum, so not advancing your timing with increased revs, meaning at higher revs you are retarded, hence the heavier foot and high temps.Not sure how much but its a start!

Been reading quickly and apparently it's really bad for mpg at part throttle (let's face it most driving is part throttle).

Will have to work out where the leak is and fix it. If it jumped 10mpg in a tank to what it should get (about 40 mpg imp/uk) I'll kick myself for not fixing it sooner