Air conditioning?!!!

[appletonn]

I'm probably going to regret asking this and I suspect I already know the answer... but does anyone have aircon that works?!

If I press the button on the dash, I can hear the pump start but nothing gets cold!

Should I bother getting it recharged (ahead of a hopefully sunny Le Mans!) or am I inevitably looking at a 16yr old system that would require £000 throwing at it to resurrect it and therefore just forget it and open the roof?!![]

It is now the only thing that doesn't work properly on the car - apart from the driver, obviously[]

 

[will lyons]

Nick
I have a 87 turbo with aircon that doesn't work I had a local aircon guy charge it with Nitrogen and found a leak in the condensor sight glass which would need changing anyway if you regas, the condensor was about £20 but then visited the supplier as he was only 10 miles away and bought a retro conversion kit for appprox £80 I will look up the details for you later and post them for you. I have yet to fit the condensor and recharge but it was only around £100 to £120 they are based between sheffield and chesterfield close to the M1 basically 2 mins from J30 but will supply mail order

Wil

 

[appletonn]

Will, that'd be great, thanks.

I was thinking of getting it regassed and tested for leaks, but then you have the dilemma of whether you should pay to get it fixed....!

I live near Manchester, so Sheffield is not too far to go.

Thanks again

 

[edh]

Get it tested first - it could be a cheap fix, but the pipework can develop leaks (£££ to replace). You may have to resign yourself to a fresh charge before the summer that gradually leaks away.

R12 isn't allowed any more - it can be re-filled with R134 but I understand that it is more prone to leaking - it certainly does on mine

The man who repaired my fridge told me there was a drop-in replacement for R12 (R409?) don't know if it's available on car a/c

 

[appletonn]

Thanks Ed - that's pretty much what I had in mind.

If it is going to cost mega bucks to fix, then i don't think I'll bother....

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: edh

The man who repaired my fridge told me there was a drop-in replacement for R12 (R409?) don't know if it's available on car a/c

Yes, I use the fully legal and compliant R12 replacement and it lasts 24 months before a recharge and no need for an expensive R134 conversion. I use a mobile guy in this area www.airconone.co.uk I think it;s called R21A but don't quote me

 

[will lyons]

Paul

I have had my system nitrogen tested and other than a leak from the sight glass on the condensor which needs to be replaced on a regas the pressure did drop ever so slightly I visited Autocool in Barlbrough and was told it looks like it has a conversion anyway summised by looking at the filler connection I then proceded to purchase 2x340g cans of R134a a retro pro kit designed to convert the oil in the compressor to accept R134a and a check and charge kit for filling the system I have dug out the invoice total was £70.42 inc

I also needed the condensor £29.00 plus postage previously purchased from Autocool prior to the visit now the burning question would be ....to proceed with the regas or change the condensor as it needs replacing anyway and refill with the alternative to R12 Autocool seem to think the items sold to me will suffice

www.car-air-conditioning-supplies.co.uk

autocool@btconnect.com

Has anyone else had a succesful conversion using this method

Will

 

[will lyons]

Just to add sorry for wrong part its the reciever drier that needs to be replaced not the condenser

ooops


Will

 

[sawood12]

I agree. It probably just needs a recharge and conversion. I got some flourescent dye added to the charge so if it did have a leak it can be traced easily with a black light, however if they are doing a proper job they should carry out a vacuum test. Although it is not a 100% effective test of leaks it is indicative. The actual purpose of the vacuum is to remove moisture from the system but it also acts as a test as the system has to hold a vacuum for 30mins or so.

If you are in/near Manchester I can put you onto a guy my dad has recenly used. The system in his TT packed up recently so he picked this A/C specialist chap out of the Yellow Pages who took a look at it. Turned out mice had been unsing his ventilation system as a nut store, but my dad reckoned this chap was top notch as he had to dismantle half the dash to get at the system and apparently you can't tell the dash has been touched let alone removed and replaced. Not a dirty fingerprint in sight or a rattle or squeak to be heard.

 

[appletonn]

Scott, yes please - I would rather speak to someone by word of mouth than play lucky dip with the yellow pages!

Part of me thinks just leave it alone, but the other part thinks how nice it will be to have functioning air con for Le Mans this year!

Many thanks
Nick

 

[sawood12]

You need A/C in the summer in a 944. I don't believe that the greenhouse effect is a big issue in environmental terms, but a 944 in summer typifies what the greenhouse effect is all about!

 

[sawood12]

Nick,

It is called Autopoint in Knutsford. My dad is working away at the moment so doesn't have their address but they have a website: www.autopointknutsford.co.uk.

Hope they live upto my dad's rantings, they seemed to impress him at least.

 

[appletonn]

Thanks for that Scott - will give them a ring on Monday


thanks again