Thread: Aftermarket A/C - 300Tdi dual cab

Thanks for a very ineresting thread, unfortunately I will have to put up with my underdash unit haveing just spent up on a engine and GB rebuild.
Just prior to the rebuild the AC stopped working. I have traced the problem to lack of activating power getting to the AC relay under the pass/seat that you utilised early in the thread. Not sure why you did not use the wire from the harness when looking for power, maybe it was like mine, no longer active!!! Does anyone know where this relay gets its power from it is a red wire from the relay into the harness via another red wire. I presume it gets its power from the large white wire out of the ignition switch but can not find the connection where I presume the problem will be
Peter

Hi Peter,

I removed all of the original A/C wiring over three years ago when I pulled the vehicle apart to start the restoration, and, most probably due to excess home-brew consumption during the rebuild, have no idea how it was wired up originally.

James.

Well, the 130 has been back to Mr Cool again. As with last time, the gas lasted about three weeks. Mr Cool's instructions were to take it back as soon as it stopped working so I was there first thing Monday. Again, they could not find the leak. It seems that the UV dye works with the oil in the system, so if you have a tiny gas leak and no oil comes out with it, it is possible to find no traces of the dye.

Anyway, the next step was to replace the two flexible hoses to the compressor, and rebuild/reseal the compressor. Mr Cool has a "factory" (their words) based in their workshop that reconditions compressors and send them Australia wide, so they were able to do it on the spot. So, another $700 down, I am now hopeful of a reliable system.

Again, big thanks to Mr Cool for taking the 130 straight in when they were obviously absolutely stretched with the sudden onslaught of summer here in Brisbane. So far I'm up to around $2200 spent, but the only original component left now is the condenser. I suppose the only words of wisdom I can give are don't ever think you are going to necessarily resurrect your 10 - 20 year old A/C system on a shoestring budget. You might be lucky, but need to be prepared for the worst case.

As for the progress with the ducting........... . Virtually none has been made, but I will post up when I have something worthy.

James.

How's the AC holding up???

It's doing well thanks Weeds - still working, but we're still in the danger period for the gas leak to reappear.

I actually started looking at the ducting again last night and worked out a few things in my head, but then it was dinner time and I never got back there. Fingers crossed for the week end, although there is some big all day Christmas party thing on Sunday .

James.

Originally Posted by rainman

It's doing well thanks Weeds - still working, but we're still in the danger period for the gas leak to reappear.

I actually started looking at the ducting again last night and worked out a few things in my head, but then it was dinner time and I never got back there. Fingers crossed for the week end, although there is some big all day Christmas party thing on Sunday .

James.

will miss the xmas party as i will be having a beer at double island point.........

Originally Posted by rainman

It's doing well thanks Weeds - still working, but we're still in the danger period for the gas leak to reappear.

I actually started looking at the ducting again last night and worked out a few things in my head, but then it was dinner time and I never got back there. Fingers crossed for the week end, although there is some big all day Christmas party thing on Sunday .

James.

Hey James, I was snooping around at the back of the local electrical wholesalers and saw their shelf full of electrical & pipe duct fittings , usually used to run the pipework and electrical cables of split system A/C on the outside of a building.
I'm thinking that would be really easy to make some roof ductwork with those parts, especially the convoluted tube. e.g..


cheers Don

Don, I'm a sucker for punishment . I always do things the hardest and most complex way possible because, it seems, I like making my life a misery. Here are a couple of very poor shots of what I have done so far. The larger piece covers the evaporator at the rear. The other piece is the front; just the centre section to go. It's all 1.2mm aluminium.







James.