How’s your Mondial's A/C working?

I ran out of freon last year

I've had a bit of difficulty finding some R12 and I haven't had any interest in converting.
Luckily, a friend of mine just told me he has some extra R12, so hopefully, I will get some relief from the oppressive summer heat soon

 

The poll really does not have my answer so:

(3) Mondial t coupe (probably has an cooling advantage over a cab with the hardtop window sealing capability). R134a refrigerant conversion.

85 ambient day will produce 42 +/- degree out the center vents. This is only adequate cabin cooling because of the weak vent configuration but even so its still adequate while in business attire.

I drove around on a day last week for a few hours non-stop. I had the car running almost the whole time. When it was stopped it was out of the direct sun w/ windows up (tinted glass and Berlinetta Shade on windshield). I really thought the A/C would struggle (and it did in comparison with say my daily late model Sedan) but it soldiered on and keep me right on the edge of comfortable.

This is my 1st year with a lite tint on the side glass - with the Mondial greenhouse it seems to help.

 

If you want a/c to run good, put in the work or just shell out the dollars to have everything gone though. They are old cars and really need to be gone through. If you plan on replacing everything you'll have a good system, or you can do it like me and hope to just patch the weak spots.

I like the responses right now, sounds like, if it works, it works good.

 

Oops, seems I misread your post. To answer your question, before it failed, it was better than the 308, but nothing compared to a modern car. My mechanic told me it wasn't worth converting to the newer refrigerant, which is why I have been holding out for some more R12.

 

I replaced the compressor in my Mondial the system functions well, but I used a thicker than original o ring on the new compressor hose fittings, as I had a 134 conversion, and this is all that was available at the local Parts Source store. I think I overtightened these, and split the o ring. What is the "correct" o ring, in the green r134 material, for the this Sanden unit to the suction and pressure main hoses.

 

Last season our A/C was very cold. This year it has quit working. I haven't gotten around to troubleshooting it but I assume the gas is low. I may convert to 134, I haven't decided.
Dave

 

'83 QV coupe, converted to R134, new compressor/clutch and sensors, system checked and working. The air exiting the center vent is very cold, but the quantity of air the fan manages to move is too small for outside temperatures over about 30°C with sun. At night without sun radiation, the a/c is sufficient. Overall, by no means at the level of a modern car.
Also, the condenser (original, maybe not so good anymore) on my car is inadequate for providing enough heat exchange when the car is stationary on a hot day (its fan is working); the max-pressure switch shuts the compressor down. Once the car moves, the a/c kicks in again.

 

Hey Wade,
I'm down here visiting my folks in Sarasota, nothing short of artic cold would be acceptable in these parts. During the VA summers we only drive with the top down so I just want a little cool air blowing at traffic lights. I will have to weigh the costs of a vacume pump and gages against taking the car to a pro for r12. I plan to keep the car so r134 seems like a better long term plan. Unfortunately, I have read 134a is thought to be a nasty greenhouse gas and may soon follow r12.
Dave

 

I was talked into changing to non-factory specs to 'save a buck' and HATED IT. Spent the money, again to go back to factory R and been very please ever since.

Blows cold and well all day long. I drive to Sacramento several times a week during the Summer with top down of course and although it will not freeze you with top down, it helps on those very hot days and that means it works fairly well in my book.

 

Mine works great while driving. At idle, however, the compressor will occasionally seize causing the belt to slip and "squeal." My system has been "updated" -- I believe to a York compressor. I haven't spent the time yet to fully diagnose. I'll probably take it to an AC specialist one of these days...

 

I have about 4500 into repairs with mine and it always worked great when I oicked up from the shop but the major overhaul of the system worked for 2 weeks and back to hot air. Very frustrating because I am taking it back to shop so the fix it correctly like they said the last time. I hope my 360 will not have the same sickness as I am buying a coupe not a convertible this time.

 

1988 Coupe, Converted to 134 before I owned it. Have been trying to find a leak for a while now. Ended up being the Pressure switch on the Receiver / dryer. Replaced the complete unit with one from Rutlands. Note the one I removed was stamped on the bottom "made in China". Replaced some o-rings and it will cool fine, but I have found that my blower control switch has a dead spot in it and if the control is setting on it the compressor will not kick on, but the blower will run, very strange to me. I find the car unbearable without some A/C and my wife concours.

 

My Compressor leaks at the the pulley. So no AC for me. I drive with the top down so no big deal. We only have about 2 to 3 week of stinking heat up here so not a big deal for me.

I am holding out till I get the the service on the belts done.

Lino

 

Mine cools surprisingly well - the only issue is how hot the backs of the seat gets when sitting in the sun - my front is cold, my back is very warm.

Erik

 

Curse me, I spoke too soon. I dropped my car off today to get the speakers replaced at an audio shop. I walked in only wanting two speakers but the owner convinced me to replace the tweeters as well. Against my better judgement, I let him do it - plus a mini amp behind the head unit (Alpine):

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ktp-445

I drop the car off with ice cold A/C - I leave with boiling hot air. I figure it's because it's 100 degrees and the car was sitting in the sun, so I pull on the highway and push her. I wait a few minutes, no go - still boiling hot.

I call Daniel from Bradan for suggestions - he walks me through the basics. I go back to the audio shop convinced they blew a fuse or forgot to plug something in. Sure enough, a cable was unplugged - he reconnected it - I figured I'm in the clear (fuse was not blown). Still hot, but again, I assumed I needed to drive a few minutes. No luck - still boiling. Any suggestions as to what is disconnected?

It turns on/off fine - the blower goes slow/fast as usual. Hot is hot, and cold is even hotter!

Attached is a pic of the white cable he forgot to connect...he couldn't find anything else he forgot. Any help would be greatly appretiated as I'll have to wait to bring it back to Bradan in a week or so.

Thanks,
Erik
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