[Guest]

Guys,

I know it's not the most emotive subject but if anyone has air con problems, drop me a line. It's what I do for a living. I can source replacement (non Mitsu) parts at trade prices (I won't mark them up, honest). Also if anyone is within striking distance of South Oxfordshire I am more than willing to carry out repairs/ re-charges at cost!

Just a token jesture to all you level-headed?! people who adore the E as much as I!

Andy H

 

[Guest]

Any general advice on air-con maintenance? (run it during winter a few times to keep it circulating etc.)
How easy is to recharge/top up the air-con yourself and how often would you reckon it needs doing?

 

[Guest]

HH6

Air con is a sealed system. No maintenance can be done, except pulling out any shredded birds from the condenser (radiator behind cooling rad and intercooler). Compressor should be run every so often (once a month), this is because the seal between the magnetic clutch and compressor itself is made of neopreen and relies on oil to seal it. If the comp is not turned every so often, the seal can dry and shrink/ crack causing refrigerant leaks. Car a/c should NEVER require re-charging, however, over time small leaks may occur that don't warrant replacement of parts, therefore occasional top-ups are the cheapest option.

As for re-charging yourself; not really an option, you need specialist tools and liquid refrigerant hurts like hell if you get any on your skin (boils at approx -60 deg c @ atmospheric pressure).

Most common faults occur from stress fractures in pipework/ components, usually caused by poor installation (factory Fords, Rover etc), or excessive torque within the engine bay (oh dear you're all f***ed then).

Andy h

 

[Guest]

OK, I switched my a/c off when I got my car in September, figuring the last thing I needed during a Scottish winter was air-conditioning!

I quickly learnt why it should be run periodically when that seal you talked about went south - result? One compressor/clutch in bits http://www.ltregister.f9.co.uk/graphics/sad1.gif border|EQU| 0 align|EQU| absmiddle >

It's been like that for about 2 years now and I was wondering just how much it would be to get fixed but I'm too scared to ask the garage! [img]http://www.ltregister.f9.co.uk/graphics/happy1.gif border|EQU| 0 align|EQU| absmiddle >

The car is a 1993 GSR btw.

 

[Guest]

Pond,
Wud I be correct in saying that A/C can be used to heat as well as cool ?

I don't use my car in winter but during the early part of spring and the end of October when it's a touch nippy I use the A/C to warm the car up as it's quicker than the normal heater.

 

[Guest]

I beleive you can leave the a/c on even when heating, I think it also de-humidifies the car, helps to clear the screen quicker. I just leave the a/c on in my car, I think running it regularly helps to prevent i smelling a bit funny after a while.

Prit

 

[Guest]

Chunky,

You probably won't get much change from £700 for a complete compressor/clutch assembly. Plus it will need to be re-charged (anything from £50-£150 depending where you get it done). Non mitsu parts may be hard to find 'cos car was never officially imported.

Evo Singh is right about the de-hum! De-humidifying obviously reduces the moisture content of the air inside the car, therefore requiring less energy to heat it up!

Andy

 

[Guest]

OUCH!

Knew I was right not to ask....