Air con upgrading?

Hi,

 

Has anyone successfully managed to upgrade the effectiveness of their air conditioning?

 

I have some people to ask here in the UK, but am looking for some read life experiences and tips if possible

 

The car is a 1995 SE30 is it makes any difference to the responses

 

Thanks in advance

 

D

 

 

What is wrong with your existing AC?

What is wrong with your existing AC?

 

Not nearly effective enough. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, it's just a crap system that needs modernising

I shudder to think. I have been reviving the AC on my 40 year old Pantera and have discovered an AC system is it's own entity. Pretty complex with lot's of things that can be a problem. "Experts" aren't necessarily the answer either.

There were 2 things that were baffling to me in my 91 D.

 

First, it sounded like the blower motor should have been pushing more air out the vents. I could hear a small tornado in there when the fan speed was on high, but not much air volume coming out. I never did figure out why.

 

Second, the condenser behind the driver's side radiator (or in front of depending how you look at it) was way too small. Most cars have a condenser twice as large. The only way I figured I could compensate for it would be to improve the volume of the radiator fan. Maybe a more powerful fan or a second one to help out. That would run in to additional problems though. The wiring that fed the original fan seemed too thin and the alternator is a little too weak to begin with to add another 20 amp load.

 

At the end of the day, I just lived with it.

Mine isnt even connected lol. When I first got the car, I remembered people saying it robbed power so I disconnected it. And I was ued to the AC never working on my old Viper anyways. Plus I like driving with the windows down.

Plus I like driving with the windows down.

 

The OP has a SE30, so rolling down the windows isn't an option!

 

 

I've emailed a pal who has restores classic cars and he has retro-fitted AC systems to them, so will let you know his thoughts.

 

 

I've emailed a pal who has restores classic cars and he has retro-fitted AC systems to them, so will let you know his thoughts.

 

Please do.

 

And good note about the Se30 windows. That would be brutal

His response below

 

"Efficiency is possibly a result of leakages in system . From my experience even if system is pressure tested it will only last a few weeks as leaks in unseen areas are hard to detect. Depending on refrigerant currently in system (R12 banned), requires conversion of almost entire system to high barrier hoses & receiver dryer to use current R134a. There is however a new gas which does not require conversion. We always sub-contract these services and will locate some mobile contacts"

I know your in the UK but..... I have personally seen two (corrective) jobs done by Wil DeGroot. Both have come out with refrigerator quality AC. Just say'en.

I know your in the UK but..... I have personally seen two (corrective) jobs done by Wil DeGroot. Both have come out with refrigerator quality AC. Just say'en.

 

Many thanks, I'll drop him a email for some pointers

Something to consider, mine is nice and cold on a hot (100 degree) night obviously when there is no sun. But when the sun is shinning it struggles (no tint). Tells me, one easy possible fix would be CERAMIC tint. I have heard many good things about it keeping 70% of the heat out. Since the windshield is huge and the side windows are curved allowing a lot of heat in the cabin. It has to be ceramic film though and the windshield would need to be done to be efficient.

Many thanks, I'll drop him a email for some pointers

 

Hi Dion,

 

Check out the coolant valve - if it fails, you get warm engine water in the heating system, which defeats the AC.

For a RHD car, its in the door sill (rather than under the dash as in a LHD car), see here.. http://www.lambopower.com/forum/index.php?...=99+SV+rebuild#

 

 

Hi Dion,

 

Check out the coolant valve - if it fails, you get warm engine water in the heating system, which defeats the AC.

For a RHD car, its in the door sill (rather than under the dash as in a LHD car), see here.. http://www.lambopower.com/forum/index.php?...=99+SV+rebuild#

 

Sorry only just seen this, that fix was done last year but still no chilly enough!

I just upgraded the AC on my G. It wasn't working worth a damn and I found out it only had 49 (grams?? or whatever) and it was supposed to have 550. So it was SUPER low. Check your Freon levels. They said it showed now leaks but when it was done it was blowing out 39 degrees.

I just upgraded the AC on my G. It wasn't working worth a damn and I found out it only had 49 (grams?? or whatever) and it was supposed to have 550. So it was SUPER low. Check your Freon levels. They said it showed now leaks but when it was done it was blowing out 39 degrees.

 

any more than 10% loss of refrigerant will make the system not cool, so if you had 500g left, their would be no cooling. 49g left tells me there has been a significant leak my dear friend.