Thread: Improving the air-con in RRC.

In addition to cleaning the fins of the condenser, there is also shielding both the compressor and hoses from exhaust manifold radiated heat. Some time ago when I had my 89 RRC, I searched and found that making a simple aluminium shield for the compressor and wrapping the hoses in insulation ( read aluminium foil - there are better insulators to pick from) increased the efficiency of the aircon enough to notice. Of course I could have imagined the change in the aircon but the articles are on the web somewhere.

What are you re-gassing with ?

THAT makes a differance...

Apart from that, see the above. - The Classic 'engine room' is avery warm place...

There may also be a whole bunch of lint trapped on the evaporator core. I once dismantled an old underdash unit and scraped a 4mm blanket of gunge off the back face of it.

Originally Posted by superquag

What are you re-gassing with ?

THAT makes a differance...

Apart from that, see the above. - The Classic 'engine room' is avery warm place...

Yep, I have a mate that does air conditioning. When he regassed mine he asked if I wanted the legal gas or the "good" gas.
You need to find someone who has the good gas.

A late D1 or D2 condenser, multi core single pass type.
The multi pass type is no where near efficient enough when you regas with R134a.
Also worth changing the compressor head if changing over to 134, check the Tx valve and remove the restrictor in the line with the join in it if it has one.

Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

Why would you want to re-gas with 134a if you have an R12 -type system to start with?

But why change to 134a ? A gas that Europe wants banned...and is not as efficient, leaks away faster, and can shorten the life of your compressor. - and as has been pointed out, really needs the condenser to be replaced with a differant type.....

Of course, the patent on R12 was'nt expiring around the time that it was 'discovered' to be so terrible for the enviroment.... Lucky for us that 134a was suddenly available.

With current, long-lasting patent protection....

Cynical, white-haired James in Perth

Having run a 2 door in Saudi Arabia , I think I learned a few things about making the aircon work.
Firstly block off all the exits for cool air. This includes sealing the 'through flow" vent outlets in the C pillars. Then make sure all holes behind the trim in the rear are sealed. Maybe also put new seals in the tailgate. Also check that the plastic film is in place in all the doors. I went to the extent of silasticing all the windows in Saudi but that is a bit extreme.

Next ensure that the fans on the condenser are working. If they squeak ,seem slow, or do not work replace the fans with new ones.

You do not say , but I assume you are talking about the pre 89 aircon, as the 89 onwards works very well even with the dreaded R134A. Mine pulls down to 4c at the vents no problem.

The next question is whether your aircon is cycling at idle. A good aircon will get cool enough to cycle at idle on fan speed 1. If not you are probably short on gas, the thermo fans are not working, or the evaporator may be icing if if it goes cool then gets warm.

The fins of the condenser may also be blocked or rotted away.
have a look at all the above before you start modifying things.

Regards Philip A

I would agree with PhillipA - mine has a bog stock AC, in good nick, seals around the car could be better, that is one thing I will do I think, but my AC is quite good. Gets very cold at the vents, and cycles at idle. I wouldn't go modifying it, just get what you have working properly.

The limiting factor on mine, is that once the ambient air temp is above 35 ish, then the engine starts to overheat, but that's a different story...