"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
05/07/2014 at 17:23 • Filed to: None
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"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
05/07/2014 at 17:23 • Filed to: None | 0
| 11 |
So I'm sick of driving my GTV6 in the summer without air conditioning. The original system is intact, but the compressor is kaput. I have no idea what other bits 'n' pieces are similarly dead and don't want to start ordering replacements willy nilly until I know what I'm dealing with. Maybe it's as simple as a new compressor, or maybe the entire system needs to be yanked and replaced with a Vintage Air or similar.
Any suggestions for the ATX region?
PatBateman
> Chairman Kaga
05/07/2014 at 17:32 |
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Try this place.
http://m.eliteimportauto.com/site/mobile#22…
More Power!!and also some brakes.
> Chairman Kaga
05/07/2014 at 17:38 |
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Forgive me, I am not on here much anymore but last I heard you were trying to sell the GTV6. Happy to see you still have it. Also I drive a '66 F100 most days I am not exactly looking forward to the heat in Austin this summer.
Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> Chairman Kaga
05/07/2014 at 17:41 |
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Maybe it just needs a recharge.
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Chairman Kaga
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/07/2014 at 17:44 |
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No, I am almost certain the compressor is fully dead. The solenoid doesn't click when it gets power and there's no indication it's doing anything with the electricity. The York compressors on those cars were junk to begin with. Most folks have replaced them with rotary units, which is my plan regardless. But I have no clue of the condition of the condenser, the hoses, the o-rings, the dryer, etc.
EL_ULY
> Chairman Kaga
05/07/2014 at 17:55 |
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if you can make it to Houston i'll help ya. YOu say the compressor clutch doesn't engage. They usually do not if there is no refrigerant in the system, stuck, or a bad switch. You can just bypass the low pressure switch with a jumper wire to manually put voltage to the clutch. A prower probe or multi meter is key here. Perhaps the solenoid clutch can be purchased on its own. Or maybe like you said, the internals of the compressor are out. Or various diferent reasons. Nobody here can really say anything unless we are there going to the diagnosis process.
Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
> Chairman Kaga
05/07/2014 at 18:03 |
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I've looked into trying to fix the Milano's A/C, and as far as I'm concerned, yanking the OEM system and replacing it with a Vintage Air system is by far the way to go. I've never actually read any solutions for the stock Alfa systems that makes it perform like proper A/C; everything I've seen on Alfabb and the sort has always struck me as a workaround, or only satisfactory for a person who lives in a climate where they don't actually need A/C.
There are only two issues with a Vintage Air system: expense, and figuring out how to mount it up on a GTV6.
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Chairman Kaga
> EL_ULY
05/07/2014 at 18:03 |
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Getting to Houston might be a stretch for me. Finding even an hour to work on the car is a real challenge these days, what with two little kids. That's sort of my main problem with the car in general. Even finding time to drive it! I know time will be less of an issue once the baby is a little more self-sufficient. ANYWAY, I think you're onto something with just doing as much simple diagnostic work as possible at home. Hopefully whoever I end up taking it to will also take my word for it, with regard to that work.
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Chairman Kaga
> Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
05/07/2014 at 18:10 |
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There are a few threads in the AC section indicating at least a couple of guys have retrofitted a vintage air system in their GTV6. One guy just gutted the blower from the main console and installed a Mini-Gen. Another guy put it under the dash where the parcel tray went. One of the guys even wired in the original controls. The basic system is about $450. A generic Sanden compressor is maybe $200. No clue what hoses, etc. would run.
HOnestly though, I know next to nothing about A/C so any sort of work undertaken at home would probably mean the car would be laid up for months while I figured it out.
and 100 more
> Chairman Kaga
05/07/2014 at 18:25 |
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Are you north or south? A general mechanic out in Cedar Park was recommended to me recently, if you're up that way (or willing to get up that way):
Advanced Automotive & Transmission
512-331-9858
100 Commercial Pkwy
Cedar Park, TX 78613
http://www.advancedautoandtrans.com/
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Chairman Kaga
> and 100 more
05/07/2014 at 18:42 |
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South. Far south. That said Cedar Park isn't THAT far to go on a weekend. I can go up 620 and enjoy some decent roads. Good idea!
Ack. Closed weekends. Hmm. Day off?
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Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
> Chairman Kaga
05/08/2014 at 10:15 |
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Let me know what you find out/wind up doing, as my Milano would be a lot easier to justify keeping around if I could get the A/C functioning properly.