Thread: Recommendation - good car aircon place

Try calling Graeme Cooper and ask Ward or Stuart who they send their customers to. They are located in St Peter’s - 9550 2689

There are threads on this.

I found the hose carrying hot coolant from the radiator to the heater on the firewall was pressing against the ventilation ducting, so when the coolant heated up after driving for 10-15 mins the heat radiated through the plastic ventilation ducting and warmed the air. I have fitted heat insulation to separate the hot hose from the ventilation ducting. This is on the passenger side at the front near the firewall. It looks ugly but it has improved it, although it's still not great.
Can I ask if your aircon stays cool if you turn it to recirculate?
Other options include:
1. The plastic heater tap may not be closing fully and allowing some hot coolant through even when it is supposed to be closed. It is a Citroen Fiat standard part made in China. Another idea is to disconnect the hoses and clean out the valve, if it is full of dried crud.
2. Fit a tap in the coolant hose to close and block the coolant from going to the heater. Your heater won't work, but aircon is more important. The tap can always be turned back on. Use a metal tap from Pirtek because plastic taps can warp from constant exposure to 100 degree coolant.
3. Get the aircon regassed. APparently there is a filter in there which needs changing if it becomes blocked.

Hope this helps.

I have Insulate d the roof and side panels..... And also the transmission tunnel. The insulation helps a lot.

Also, don't laugh.....But get yourself a curtain and just fit it behind front row....
Now your air-conditioning only need to cool the front seats...

Don't laugh....

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

There are threads on this.

I found the hose carrying hot coolant from the radiator to the heater on the firewall was pressing against the ventilation ducting, so when the coolant heated up after driving for 10-15 mins the heat radiated through the plastic ventilation ducting and warmed the air. I have fitted heat insulation to separate the hot hose from the ventilation ducting. This is on the passenger side at the front near the firewall. It looks ugly but it has improved it, although it's still not great.
Can I ask if your aircon stays cool if you turn it to recirculate?
Other options include:
1. The plastic heater tap may not be closing fully and allowing some hot coolant through even when it is supposed to be closed. It is a Citroen Fiat standard part made in China. Another idea is to disconnect the hoses and clean out the valve, if it is full of dried crud.
2. Fit a tap in the coolant hose to close and block the coolant from going to the heater. Your heater won't work, but aircon is more important. The tap can always be turned back on. Use a metal tap from Pirtek because plastic taps can warp from constant exposure to 100 degree coolant.
3. Get the aircon regassed. APparently there is a filter in there which needs changing if it becomes blocked.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

Recirculate does not seem to help a great deal. If I turn the aircon off for 5 mins and then back on it is cold again.

I will try to check the hose, its like blind surgery on an octupus in that engine bay. Will also look at the tap, but checked it a while back and it looked like it was closing.

It was regassed a couple of years back but it didnt help at that time

Cheers

Simon

Originally Posted by martnH

I have Insulate d the roof and side panels..... And also the transmission tunnel. The insulation helps a lot.

Also, don't laugh.....But get yourself a curtain and just fit it behind front row....
Now your air-conditioning only need to cool the front seats...

Don't laugh....

If I use a soundproof curtain I won't hear the kids, perfect!

Originally Posted by Simon

Thanks.

Recirculate does not seem to help a great deal. If I turn the aircon off for 5 mins and then back on it is cold again.

I will try to check the hose, its like blind surgery on an octupus in that engine bay. Will also look at the tap, but checked it a while back and it looked like it was closing.

It was regassed a couple of years back but it didnt help at that time

Cheers

Simon

This picture might help. On the passenger side the ventilation ducting comes in from the mudguard and above it on the firewall is the white heater valve.
In this picture the ventilation ducting is covered by silvet heat insulation. The hot coolant hose is on top of the silver insulation. The insulation extends down out of sight to underneath the ventilation ducting to separate it from the hot hoses.
BTW my whiteheater valve also appeared to be closing after I oiled the cable, but when removed there was crud inside, stopping it from closing.

Originally Posted by Simon

Thanks.

If I turn the aircon off for 5 mins and then back on it is cold again.

It sounds like it's freezing up, which blocks the flow. I had the aircon thermostat replaced under warranty for the same reason on my 2014 Defender. My aircon now works pretty well.

But I must admit it's something I don't like about my Defender. Defender aircon is one thing that is simply not as good as Landcruiser. Clearly only two vents in the centre is not as good as four with two either side of the dashboard. Also the Defender dash fan is not as strong as it could be - not sure if there's an upgrade available?

Adding heat insulation and a curtain across a cargo barrier will definitely help and are good ideas, but only once your aircon is running properly.

Originally Posted by martnH

I have Insulate d the roof and side panels..... And also the transmission tunnel. The insulation helps a lot.

Also, don't laugh.....But get yourself a curtain and just fit it behind front row....
Now your air-conditioning only need to cool the front seats...

Don't laugh....

Had a plastic curtain on my cargo barrier in my old van, worked wonders it was like cooling down a ute cab id probably do it in my disco if i get a barrier