Air con

grogee · Post by **grogee** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

Anyone know any good air con specialists? Mine doesn't work (surprise surprise) but may just require top-up. Sods law says it needs a compressor though. Preferably a specialist based in Surrey/Sussex. Bit worried about taking it to 'AirConRUs' or similar as they would probably rub their hands with glee seeing me pull up in a Lotus - I can hear their cash register ringing now. Also, does anyone know if there is a idle adjustment for when the a/c is switched on? Mine idles quite low (about 800rpm) and I'm worried it will stall when the a/c finally works. Why am I getting it done in February? To beat the rush when (if?) the sun finally comes out, that's why!

pete · Post by **pete** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

throttle jacking solenoid should click down when a/c is triggered, and its adjustable too. it's on the front of the front carb. careful with aircon outfits, if the car uses R12 refridgerant, they arent allowed to touch it, but if its R134A, they can. Although if you can find a friendly local chap down the pub or whatever to do it, topping up an R12 system with R134A, the modern safe gas, works a treat, even if others say otherwise. it's minutely possible that it reacts with the compressor oil in 10 years time, and it might then rot the compressor seal, but my man says hes heard of it, but not seen it happen himself. R134A is quite expensive, btw. if it needs a whole lot to fill it, it has probably got a substantial leak, if it only needs a bit, then it's had or got a little leak, usually untraceable, which needs topping up yearly have you tried the a/c switch when the cabin and heater matrix are as hot as you can get? this increases the pressure at the evaporator, which might be enough to start things going, if not, top up time. where do you live, my man might come out to you, if i ask him. he is near Aldershot.

Roger Cansda · Post by **Roger Cansda** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

If you have an aircom problem, and live anywhere near the West Sussex/Surrey borders, I would highly recommend Trevor Gibbs(01403 871251). He's in the Guildford/Haslemere area. Nice pub (Onslow Arms) on the banks of the Wey & Arun Canal not too far away as well. He sorted mine out very efficiently about 18 months ago.

grogee · Post by **grogee** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

Lovely, thanks for the info chaps, I will give this Trevor Gibbs a try I think. I got my friend to have a quick look, he works for Nissan doing HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) engineering. He seemed to think it was low on fluid, since switching the AC button didn't cause the compressor clutch to 'click'. He claims there should be a pressure switch which prevents the system from being run with insufficient fluid pressure. For info mine has a 'R143a' sticker on the wing showing someone's been there before and replaced the R12. Yes I think the 'replacing all seals' advice when changing from R12 to R134a is not necessary, but note that the R134a is less efficient as a refrigerant, so air con performance is reduced. I had a Granada that was passable with R12 and when replaced with R134a was pathetic. Hopefully the Lotus system has a bit more capacity since it was presumably designed for US markets...? Or is that wishful thinking? By the way, does anyone know what the 'ECON' button does differently from the main 'AC' button?

J.Bond (Jimm · Post by **J.Bond (Jimm** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

ECON - is the economy mode. With R134 being less efficient, it will reduce cooling effect by switching the a/c on and off in intervals, rendering the a/c almost useless on very hot days! A couple of years ago I had my a/c converted to R134, too... JB <A href="http://www.lotusexcel.de/" target=_top>http://www.lotusexcel.de/</A>

tonypoll · Post by **tonypoll** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 20:54

Does anyone know a contact for air-conditioning refresh?
I seem to remember from a previous forum that there is someone in Sussex who is very knowledgable about Excels, but I don't have the contact details.
Thanks
Tony

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 22:27

Here are some threads from the old forum :

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:bl ... ri&strip=1

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:J7 ... ri&strip=1

Both mention Trevor Gibbs as the expert - e-mail and phone numbers in the threads.

tonypoll · Post by **tonypoll** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 20:51

Just what I needed. Thanks.

andy b · Post by **andy b** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 22:06

andy b i am a refrigeration eng i have had over 20years repairing car ac can i help

steven popay · Post by **steven popay** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 23:07

Hi Andy B
would you know what would it involve converting from r12 to r134a
thanks
steven

andy b · Post by **andy b** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 01:01

I AM IN SOUTH WALES
TO RUN 134A, RE PLACE OIL IN COMPRESSOR, CHANGE O RING SEALS, LOTUS USED GOOD HOSE AND MOST JOINTS ARE FLARED NOT O RINGS.
134A IS PRONE TO LEAKING IT IS LIKE ADDING ANTIFREEZE WERE YOU HAD NO LEAKS ADD ANTI FREEZE AND A LEAK APPEARS GOOD PRACTICE WOULD BE TO CHANGE THE RECIVER DRIER

steven popay · Post by **steven popay** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 20:39

Thank you I thought I would have to change the compressor completely.
what oil do i put in just fresh standard air compressor oil

.
Thank you
steven

andy b · Post by **andy b** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 23:31

nope special oil i am afraid i will post later away to brands hatch this w/end

The Lotus Grand Tourers

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