ELAN SE 19K Miles!

[Karozza]

Has anyone been to see this car?

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1521489

If only it had AC

[MPx]

Not seen it no, but intrigued why you are so keen on aircon? Relatively few have it, and in the UK you really dont need it, particularly with the roof down which is far more enjoyable and comfortable than roof up driving.

[Karozza]

I live in Malta & so definitely need AC, even for road trips to Europe. There are times for enjoyable top down or top up motoring, hence the convenience of a convertible with AC. Driving with the top down in blazing heat being burnt to a crisp is not comfortable, no.

[MPx]

Ahh - OK I get that, fooled by you linking a UK car. Maybe update your location in your profile? You may also already know these cars well. But if not, how tall are you? Anything much over 6foot is awkward for vision roof up. No problem at all for space or comfort, but it gets a bit more like driving looking out through a letterbox if your head is up near the canvas.

[Tuga2112]

its nice to know my blue elan has an additional value associated to it in the internaltional market due to the AC... its just a shame i havent progressed with that project in so long

[Karozza]

Ahh - OK I get that, fooled by you linking a UK car. Maybe update your location in your profile? You may also already know these cars well. But if not, how tall are you? Anything much over 6foot is awkward for vision roof up. No problem at all for space or comfort, but it gets a bit more like driving looking out through a letterbox if your head is up near the canvas.

You're right, now location updated. Had some issues with login & getting it working, luckily Dave was kind enough to sort it out.

Drove one briefly & I'm only 5'9"

That car looks so good that although I'm not really interested in major operations, if I were to find the parts to start off, I'd be tempted to tackle the install. I did the whole fitting once successfully on my Porsche 944 S2. I read somewhere that the wiring is already on the car. The condenser & drier would need to be.bought new. Compressor would also preferably be new but if a specific design to the Elan, could be extremely expensive & difficult to find.

Anyhow, I'll keep looking.

[dapinky]

Maurice,

I am no expert on retro fitting AC as it isn't a big issue in the UK - that said, I do have it on Angies car, but I haven't touched it other than topping up the gas so it's cold!

However, the OE system was designed for Freon 12a, which can't be used in the UK (not sure about Malta, though).... most here have been converted to r134a, with a new drier and compressor (if required).

I was told that the one in my car had been replaced with an 'off the shelf' compressor by an AC workshop, with some minor fettling to get it all to fit to the brackets..... so it is possible to get parts to do the job, without having to rely on Lotus parts (which would have been 'common' to something else at the time anyway.

I would expect any garage who understands AC systems would be able to design and fit something which works, but as I say, I'm no expert!

[Karozza]

its nice to know my blue elan has an additional value associated to it in the internaltional market due to the AC... its just a shame i havent progressed with that project in so long

Yes, for me it's important as I like to use my cars to really enjoy them. However, many in the UK, don't really give it much priority. Here in Malta, many just buy classics to look at or occasional use & even if the car does have AC, hardly ever do work. Even on expensive exotics.

[Karozza]

Maurice,

I am no expert on retro fitting AC as it isn't a big issue in the UK - that said, I do have it on Angies car, but I haven't touched it other than topping up the gas so it's cold!

However, the OE system was designed for Freon 12a, which can't be used in the UK (not sure about Malta, though).... most here have been converted to r134a, with a new drier and compressor (if required).

I was told that the one in my car had been replaced with an 'off the shelf' compressor by an AC workshop, with some minor fettling to get it all to fit to the brackets..... so it is possible to get parts to do the job, without having to rely on Lotus parts (which would have been 'common' to something else at the time anyway.

I would expect any garage who understands AC systems would be able to design and fit something which works, but as I say, I'm no expert!

Converting to R134A is not a problem, especially when re-installing. I would need a good start with actual set up of hoses/pipes/connections/brackets/heater matrix, then work from there.

Preferably find a car with AC in the first place.

[Giniw]

I was told that the one in my car had been replaced with an 'off the shelf' compressor by an AC workshop

Do you happen to know the new compressor reference by any chance?
Mine is shot (leak issue), I may be able to repair it one day but it's been a long time already and if some other compressor can be installed easily enough (I can weld brackets if some are needed). Plus it would be new.
My car is an SE so it was an R12 system, which had been converted to R134a (I suspect the conversion was just bolting valves adapters + a new dryer and filling it with r134a, I wonder what oild they put in there as, as far as I know the former R12 oil is not compatible with R134a oil so ... It may explain the compressor failure ....
I have read the seals and durits are not supposed to be the same either, and also the R12 was more efficient than the R134a so the system should not be really the same.

Apparently the R12a (=duracool) would be a nice replacement for the R12 systems.




More generally, don't you guys who have no AC have an issue with the ventilation system when the weather is wet?
The natural air circulation (with no fan) is really poor at ~low speed in mine (I would say you start to feel a nice air flow with your hand above 140kph), although the hood cover hinges flaps are free to move and I don't think the trunk lid canals are clogged up ...
And also the windscreen air flow is quite poor even at max fan speed?

[Tuga2112]

More generally, don't you guys who have no AC have an issue with the ventilation system when the weather is wet?
The natural air circulation (with no fan) is really poor at ~low speed in mine (I would say you start to feel a nice air flow with your hand above 140kph), although the hood cover hinges flaps are free to move and I don't think the trunk lid canals are clogged up ...
And also the windscreen air flow is quite poor even at max fan speed?

yes, with the fan switched off, theres no noticeable flow of air.
but in my experience the windscreen air flow is good enough to demist the glass without trouble. as long as the engine is up to temperature.
if you find cold air coming out when the engine is warm. its likely your heater matrix valve needs replacing.
the wiki has more details on the part. but in short it comes from a volvo 740

[dapinky]

Giniw,

I have no idea what was used for mine - it was done by the previous owner (or maybe even before that) and the car had been unused for 7+ years when I got it. Due to the condition of everything under the engine bay, it is impossible to tell if if was a new unit that was used or a used one. There is nothing on it to say what it is, or what it's from..... but it works!

That said, it is unlikely to be an 'essential' item for me, as the car lives in the garage and isn't likely to get used in weather where the roof will be up....... It would be more trouble to remove it than to keep it, so it is staying, but I am unlikely to get much use out of it, unless it's really too hot in the Summer (maybe 3 days a year!).