Replacing Scuttle Vents
Written on 16 July 2018 by R Hill
Early Scuttle Vents
The original scuttle vents on the MINI were only used for the first couple of months of production, exactly how long isn't known but I have seen forum posts of people with cars around 2 years complaining and getting them replaced with the version seen on "new" MINIs and others have stated they purchased cars as late as mid 2003 with the original scuttles fitted. The originals featured larger hexagonal holes and were backed by a foam filter. Unfortunately this foam filter had a tendency to disintegrate and so MINI gave owners the option of having them replaced with a smaller holed version which had slanted plastic underneath removing the need for the filter altogether.
Replacement Scuttle Vent
Mine had had the replacement fitted so I took to ebay to find a suitable set of originals. They do come up so it seems that not all owners took MINI up on having the replacements fitted. Obviously they didn't come with the foam backing so I also had to source a replacement for that. I ended up purchasing some "Air Conditioner Activated Carbon Purifier Pre Filter Fabric Thickness 3mm" from this seller. It looked durable and similar to that described by people that had seen the original foam. From what I've been told by people who owned cars fitted with the original back when they were knew the foam I've purchased is a bit thicker. So whilst the search goes on for something more "correct" I'm happy it's a reasonably accurate look to what the original would have been.
The 1Mx1M sheet is massive and far more than I needed! I roughly cut around the new scuttle vents to create 2 inserts. The vents have slats behind them that create a gap that the foam can be slotted behind.
Replacing the vents is reasonably easy. You lift the bonnet and then release 4 clips from underneath the scuttle by getting your hand behind them. On the replacements being removed these clips are on the top edge nearest the windscreen. By applying pressure from the top pushing the scuttle towards the bonnet and releasing the clips from underneath the vent comes out. Interestingly on the originals the clips are on the bonnet edge and the scuttles slide up towards the windscreen instead.
Replacement Original Scuttle Vents Fitted
