air con question

[harvey]

I have air con on my Elan, however it has never worked in the year I have owned her, I am guessing it needs re-gassing here
is the problem, Am I correct in saying the gas used in production was the now banned in the UK t14, so is it possible to regas with r134 as used in modern cars? or are there other options I have tried searching old posts but still none the wiser.

[GeoffSmith]

Check out the Wiki.

[GoM100Go]

Here is my write up, hope it gives some insight on converting...

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=20938

[TOWATL]

Hi!

I just had the air-con on my Elan refilled and checked for leaks. They used an additive with the now mandatory R134, to hinder it from "corroding" the seals in the air ducts.

I can ask them what that additive was exactly, but if you seek out a workshop in your area that specialises in Oldtimers, they should be able to refill the system for you easily. Took them about 20mins on my car, including the system check and cost me 50 Euros.

Cheers,


Wolfgang

[Simon_P]

Harvey,

As James says in his post. Check the left hand side of the engine bay. There should be 2 connectors going into the aluminium pipes.
There should be screw on plastic covers on both of them.
Only unscrew the plastic cover (not any metal adapter)
If the thread is on the outside it is R12
If the outside looks like a quick connector and has the thread is on the inside it is R134a (the S2 was originally 134a)
If it has been converted there should (by law in the UK) be a little sticker to the side of the ports detailing the conversion.

You can get an R12 replacement gas now, so you don't have to convert to 134a.

If it hasn't worked for a while take it to a place that will do a free A/C check and let them tell you what is wrong with it. Then phone up some mobile A/C places and have a chat - Don't fiddle around with the cans - in this country it will be cheaper to have it done professionally than to do it yourself.

[rip]

Don't fiddle around with the cans - in this country it will be cheaper to have it done professionally than to do it yourself.

The cans are hopeless. They won't fill the system properly.
It will not cost much more to have a proper job done.
A proper job should also include a drain & vacuum of the system to remove bacteria.

[GoM100Go]

I did consult my mechanic first , he checked to see that the can method would work for me before I went that route...

[Simon_P]

James,
The difference is that over here A/C is still relatively 'new' in cars. As DIYers we don't have the tools or experience and neither do our neighbours. I have used the cans with success, before I bought a manifold gauge set in the US.

If you consider that Halfords in the UK sell the cans for £35 each and the single short hose with a gauge for a further £20 - so for £55 ($88) you can do yourself a top-up. You can pay a mobile guy £40-£50 to do the same.

[GoM100Go]

Oh wow... Yeah I think if it were cheaper or the same I might have gone to a shop. But last time I took my rover to a shop I was out $200.00 to find out later I could have done same myself for 1/4 that. I will go the self route when I "can".

-James