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Post by Meerkat on Jun 20, 2017 16:09:07 GMT
Hey everyone
So on my way back from Wales last weekend, my aircon must have seized up suddenly, because the belt started making an unholy shrieking sound. I turned it off straight away and left it until I got home. When I turned it on it seemed to have unseized again and did start blowing cold air, but it now sounds like a diesel engine when it's on, so clearly it's not happy.
I know the simplest option is just to pull it out, but I actually like my aircon, especially for long motorway trips when it's hot. I would prefer to repair if possible.
So, by any chance does anyone know of an aircon specialist who could deal with a classic car aircon system?
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Post by muckingfuppet on Jun 20, 2017 17:36:06 GMT
But a shorted belt, remove the pump and fit the shorter belt while you strip/clean/rebuild. If not worky then buy a new pump and install back in place
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Post by Meerkat on Jun 21, 2017 10:12:05 GMT
But a shorted belt, remove the pump and fit the shorter belt while you strip/clean/rebuild. If not worky then buy a new pump and install back in place Thanks, yeah I was thinking I might do that, but really I would prefer to give it to a specialist to do, since I don't know very much about air con systems. I suppose it can't be all that complicated, right? (famous last words)  |
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Post by rustywheels on Jun 21, 2017 18:03:45 GMT
Oh, the wonderful world of AC  . I'm not an expert by any means, but I have spent many happy hours reading up on the subject, as would love to get mine working again. I cant tell you what your failure was, but getting replacement parts is not easy, and if the system is stripped down, you will need to re-gas. This is where the fun really starts. Typically, you will have R12 refrigerant in the system, which is now not permitted. Anyone who tells you its an easy swop to a new gas isn't being honest with you. R12 molecules are larger in size than the modern equivalents, and therefore, the seals you have are likely to leak, and need replacement, which in itself is an interesting challenge. You also have the problem that the oil in the compressor can't mix with the new gas, and this will have to be drained and replaced to a modern equivalent. There is a possible alternative of using isobutane/propane mix, which has similar characteristics as R12. Lots of debate on this, but essentially this is the stuff that is found in thousands of fridges and used to power your camping gas stove (high altitude gas 30/70 mix). Two problems - getting it into the system, as the connectors aren't compatible and a certain explosive tendency which could in some eyes be frowned upon. I'm still 'playing' with this one.... I have seen some companies advertising, but when I have spoken to them, its clear they simply propose sticking in a 'drop in' replacement gas without all the other work that is needed. Have a look at this if interested: www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=134103&page=4Unfortunately, I am starting to come to the conclusion my AC is dead, unless I want to spend around £300 to £400. |
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Post by Meerkat on Jun 22, 2017 14:45:23 GMT
Oh, the wonderful world of AC . I'm not an expert by any means, but I have spent many happy hours reading up on the subject, as would love to get mine working again. I cant tell you what your failure was, but getting replacement parts is not easy, and if the system is stripped down, you will need to re-gas. This is where the fun really starts. Typically, you will have R12 refrigerant in the system, which is now not permitted. Anyone who tells you its an easy swop to a new gas isn't being honest with you. R12 molecules are larger in size than the modern equivalents, and therefore, the seals you have are likely to leak, and need replacement, which in itself is an interesting challenge. You also have the problem that the oil in the compressor can't mix with the new gas, and this will have to be drained and replaced to a modern equivalent. There is a possible alternative of using isobutane/propane mix, which has similar characteristics as R12. Lots of debate on this, but essentially this is the stuff that is found in thousands of fridges and used to power your camping gas stove (high altitude gas 30/70 mix). Two problems - getting it into the system, as the connectors aren't compatible and a certain explosive tendency which could in some eyes be frowned upon. I'm still 'playing' with this one.... I have seen some companies advertising, but when I have spoken to them, its clear they simply propose sticking in a 'drop in' replacement gas without all the other work that is needed. Have a look at this if interested: www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=134103&page=4Unfortunately, I am starting to come to the conclusion my AC is dead, unless I want to spend around £300 to £400. Thanks for that mate. Yeah I did come across that Nutz thread while I was hunting around. It seems to be quite a contested subject, weirdly! Some people seem to think there is an R12 replacement which is compatible with the seals on older R12 systems, others say not! I do know that you can't just put in the gas used in more modern systems. Then again, there seem to be quite a number of "classic car" air con specialists about, so you would think they must have to deal a lot with R12 systems which need regassing with a modern replacement. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Anyway, I'm going to do some more digging around, and I'll be sure to share anything I find. I'm determined to get mine up and running again somehow! |
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Post by rustywheels on Jun 22, 2017 20:04:32 GMT
So, after the brief heatwave and melting in the car on the way home, I've decided to try and test/sort this once and for all. It will not defeat me! Just ordered a set of manifold gauges, vacuum pump, oil etc. There's no R12 left in the system so I am going to vacuum the system and then go with replacing the refrigerant and see what happens....
It may not hold a vacuum (which is more than likely), but if it does, fingers crossed this may work. I'll keep you posted on progress and if successful will write it up fully.
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rikk
New Here
Posts: 89 
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Post by rikk on Jun 23, 2017 11:24:31 GMT
Following this with interest.
Currently debating whether I want aircon to stay or not...
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Post by Meerkat on Jun 23, 2017 11:35:34 GMT
Initially I didn't see the point of aircon on a convertible - it does seem a bit counter-intuitive when you can just put the roof down. But there are certain times when it's been very useful, like on long motorway journeys where the constant buffeting gets quite tiring and you can end up frying on a sunny day (there's no shade on a motorway!). Also, if it's very hot, even if you have the roof down you can still direct a stream of refreshing cold air at your face as you drive. Mmmmm! |
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Post by rustywheels on Jun 28, 2017 19:38:30 GMT
Brief update for you. Parts/pump have been arriving from around the globe (dont you just love the internet?!). Just waiting on a high side connector, and then should be good to go...  Sorry for the rubbish photo. Hoping this weekend I'll get a chance to try this all out. Fireproof clothing at the ready  |
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Post by Meerkat on Jun 29, 2017 9:20:16 GMT
Brief update for you. Parts/pump have been arriving from around the globe (dont you just love the internet?!). Just waiting on a high side connector, and then should be good to go... Hoping this weekend I'll get a chance to try this all out. Fireproof clothing at the ready Wow, that's very enterprising of you. I still need to get my compressor out and see what the issue is with it. |
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Post by rustywheels on Jun 30, 2017 14:01:31 GMT
Arrrrggghhh. Frustration as wrong fitting has been sent. Trying to get hold of a correctly threaded high side adapter doesn't seem to be easy. Hopefully correct part now on its way.
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Post by rustywheels on Jul 10, 2017 13:58:58 GMT
Those with a delicate disposition may wish to look away now, as there could be a lot of swearing ahead... So, with a satisfying clunk, the high side port I had been waiting for from the Far East arrived through my letter box. Yay, and quickly out to the car to fit.  Nice fit, and connected up the vacuum pump to clear the system. Once I had a vacuum, I switched off the pump and the valves, to see if it held. An hour later, all looking good (much to my amazement), so I ran the pump for 45 mins to ensure all clear.  Connected the gas, ran the engine, opened the low pressure valves, and we had flowing refrigerant. AC clutch kicked in and high side started to rise, and then.... stopped!  What seems to be happening is the valve is opening, but the compressor is doing zero compressing as the pressures on high and low side are equal. Therefore, no vacuum from the pump to draw in more refrigerant, so my assumption is the compressor is dead. This is where I swear an awful lot. ****, ****, **** and **** I am now at a crossroads. Do I give up, or acquire a second hand compressor? Whatever happens, I'm going to take a break from AC just for a while, as I will probably beat it to death with a hammer if I continued at this moment. Sorry. |
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Post by Meerkat on Jul 10, 2017 14:09:22 GMT
Ah damn! Sorry you didn't come right there, I was holding thumbs for you! I think you are now in the same position as me - replacement compressor needed. The trouble is, the only ones I've found on line are straight out of a breaker car (or one where the aircon has been removed), so no guarantee that it will work, or if it does whether it will break again within a short time.
What we need is someone who can recondition the compressor so we know it's good before fitting
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Post by rustywheels on Jul 10, 2017 18:30:10 GMT
I had high hopes too!
I've found a couple of UK companies that apparently specialise in refurb, and have sent off some enquiries. Also, there is a US company that provides a full kit including the drier, but both will cost around +£300. My concern is that there is probably a load of swarf running around the system so the condenser needs a flush as a minimum, so costs are mounting.
I may just buy a 2nd hand unit to see what happens, but after that I feel I have reached the end of the road.
I'm off traveling for work to the US now for a couple of weeks and then back for a family holiday so will mull over the options then and report back in August.
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. I'm not an expert by any means, but I have spent many happy hours reading up on the subject, as would love to get mine working again.
le sigh