Technical Retrofit A/C

SFB · Aug 2, 2015

Hi guys, I'm about to embark on an unthinkable task, fitting aircon to my 91 Tipo 1.4, so if anyone has any helpful ideas, I'd be pleased to hear them.
I have (hopefully) all the bits taken from a scrap Tipo, including wiring and relays, which I'm currently trying to lay out in order, separating it from other wires and relays.
The central console control box has a few non working/broken parts, but nothing apparently serious.
[FONT=&quot]My first thought is that it would be a good idea to have the parts tested, particularly the compressor, but how, I’m not sure.

I'll post updates as things progress, but it won't be a rush job, I've had the car since 1999.[/FONT]

SFB · Sep 4, 2015

A/C has been put on hold due to ................ you guessed right ........ unforeseen technical issues.

Meanwhile, I'm looking for a rear tailgate wiper motor spindle seal for a Fiat Tipo. It's somewhat egg shaped with two holes, one for the motor spindle, the other for the washer pipe. It doesn't feature in my local Fiat dealer's parts list.

Any help appreciated.

Davren · Sep 4, 2015

Both the inner and outer seals are shown in the spare parts catalogue, but are no longer available from Fiat. The part number(s) may help your search.
.

SFB · Oct 15, 2015

Davren said:
Both the inner and outer seals are shown in the spare parts catalogue, but are no longer available from Fiat. The part number(s) may help your search.
.

Hi, Davren, and many thanks for the drawing, it must be from an old parts book, the new one doesn't show it.
I'm not sure why I didn't see your post earlier, but the problem was solved with some black screen sealer given to me as a present by my local windscreen guy.
It worked perfectly.

A new thread may be needed if my next request doesn't receive replies.

I'm searching for a suitable EPS (electric power steering) system for the Tipo and wonder if any Fiat owners have ever fitted one that might suit?
Easysteer and Litesteer supply kits for boy racer's Escorts, Fiestas, and VW campers. for the not so boy racers.
The Tipo is a bit tight for space to fit the motor and the lower steering column shaft has only 35.5 cm to play with.
I have a spare column and steering rack set up on my bench as a jig to do the cutting and shutting when the time comes.

Any help will be gratefully received.

varesecrazy · Oct 17, 2015

SFB said:
Hi, Davren, and many thanks for the drawing, it must be from an old parts book, the new one doesn't show it.
I'm not sure why I didn't see your post earlier, but the problem was solved with some black screen sealer given to me as a present by my local windscreen guy.
It worked perfectly.

A new thread may be needed if my next request doesn't receive replies.

I'm searching for a suitable EPS (electric power steering) system for the Tipo and wonder if any Fiat owners have ever fitted one that might suit?
Easysteer and Litesteer supply kits for boy racer's Escorts, Fiestas, and VW campers. for the not so boy racers.
The Tipo is a bit tight for space to fit the motor and the lower steering column shaft has only 35.5 cm to play with.
I have a spare column and steering rack set up on my bench as a jig to do the cutting and shutting when the time comes.

Any help will be gratefully received.

wouldn't it be easier to fit the Fluid PAS from a Brava..??

SFB · Oct 20, 2015

varesecrazy said:
wouldn't it be easier to fit the Fluid PAS from a Brava..??

To be honest, I don't know.
Please tell me why you think it could be easier, considering the pump and plumbing involved?

I gather the Brava/Tipo steering racks are interchangeable?

varesecrazy · Oct 21, 2015

I've not direct experience..,
but the Tipo and bravo/a are based on the same floorpan,
and share a fair few common parts..,

so web research may well find that the racks DO fit..,

Charlie

SFB · Oct 21, 2015

Thanks for the input, Charlie (my middle name), glad to know that the floorpans are shared.
I've researched the Bravo/a availability and scrappers are plentiful out here, but considering
that EPAS only requires the fitting of a motor and control unit, it appears to be the simpler
method for now.
The Bravo/a swap may come into play if EPAS isn't possible.
Have a good one,
Pepe

SFB · Jul 6, 2016

Update – May 2016: Due to my abdominal operation at Christmas, I’ve been unable to do much about the aircon and more recently had to replace some wiring and connectors to the interior fan that had burned out at the (printed circuit) fuse box, no mean feat.
I bent some ribs in the process.

July:
Pain almost gone from ribs.

Compressor clutch function tested on bench, it works and is now clean and installed on the car.
After a struggle with some bent bits, condenser (rad) is also fitted.

To save stripping the dash completely, I’m considering the purchase of an evaporator unit with all the fittings including receiver-dryer that I’ve seen for sale at Car Builder Solutions in England.
It will mean removal of the glove box, but a lot less work than it could have been.

SFB · Aug 6, 2016

A/C evaporator unit arrived from CBS and fitted in place of glove box.
Wiring sorted and condenser fitted.
Routing hoses is the big problem and the compressor to hose fittings aren't easy to find.
Hopefully that will all be organized next week.
It may even be up and running before the end of summer.

SFB · Aug 6, 2016

Just a note to say that I needed to fit a double pulley for the compressor and because it involved a 36 mm nut, I decided to let my friendly local garage do it and fit a new timing belt (I supplied) at the same time, as it was 12 years old.
They charged me 12€, which was a bit of a shock.

SFB · Aug 18, 2016

Nearly there, after a lot of head scratching and internet research.
Basic A/C wiring sorted to work from ignition and I added a couple of other items that were working on permanent live at the same time.
Routing hoses was less of a problem than originally thought.
Fixing Receiver Drier to bulkhead behind carburettor wasn't easy, but an angled drill head solved that problem.
All A/C hose couplings, O-rings purchased and hose on order today for delivery tomorrow.
Poliolester compressor oil researched and located (for use with older compressors converted from R12 to R134 refrigerant).
Icing on the cake was finding an adapter for the compressor hose fittings.
Everything should be fitted over the weekend and ready for charging up when my local garage reopens after summer hols later this month.

That's only half the story, the rest involved much hair pulling.
I'll post some pics soon.

bluejohn125 · Aug 20, 2016

Quite a project for an old Tipo... congrats and good luck finishing it.

SFB · Aug 21, 2016

bluejohn125 said:
Quite a project for an old Tipo...

Age is only a number, and in this case, it's the equivalent of only 81,400 miles, almost run in.

bluejohn125 said:
congrats and good luck finishing it.

Thanks!!
I filled the compressor today, with 265 cc (9 fl oz) of the poliolester oil.
I should be getting the hose unions pressed on the 29th, when the man who can gets back from his summer break.
A few hours later the hoses should all be fitted and ready for a vacuum test.
My local garage also starts back on the 29th, so I'll be there on the 30th, begging them to do the vacuum test and if all is well, filling the system with refrigerant.

SFB · Aug 21, 2016

Just one pic for now, the unit replaces the glove box that took me years to find.

There's a bit more trimming to do, but it looks fine from the passenger seat and blows enough to easily reach the driver.
Function over aesthetics.

SFB · Sep 4, 2016

Whilst mulling it over last weekend, I decided to go the whole hog and buy a new compressor and condenser, so ordered the compressor from a company in Spain and the condenser from Germany.
The compressor people offer a 24 hour delivery service at no extra charge and the condenser people said 48 hours. The condenser arrived from Germany as per the promise, but I'm still waiting for the compressor, lost in transit, apparently.

Bad news is that the new condenser doesn't have the right connections, so I'm returning it, Murphy's Law applies.

I went to the car parts shop and bought a litre of professional cleaner to flush the old condenser to make it ready for the R134a refrigerant and PAG 46 oil.
Removed condenser, thoroughly flushed it through and refitted it, hardly any dirt came out, but it's now pristine internally.

SFB · Sep 7, 2016

Monday 5th Sep (hottest day of the year so far - 41.5º C).
Compressor didn't arrive, supplier said the delivery company lost it and they don't have another.
So back on went the old compressor, hoses fitted and everything ready for a vacuum test, then charge with refrigerant if there are no leaks.

Tues 6th (8º cooler than yesterday).
Vacuum tested negative for leaks, so in went 600 grams of R134a.
Started up, switched on A/C, nothing happened, not even the compressor clutch engaged.

Revved the engine a little and after about a minute, on it came and blew lovely cold air on me. :slayer:

One small job left to do before using it is to connect the radiator fan to work with the A/C as well as cooling the engine.

NB: Saved almost €200 on compressor and condenser.

jonti · Sep 7, 2016

Well you've done well. Where is the air intake for the system? What size engine is it on the car?

SFB · Sep 8, 2016

jonti said:
Well you've done well.

Thanks.
It was quite a learning curve spike for this old man.

jonti said:
Where is the air intake for the system?

There is no specific air intake for A/C.

Refrigerant passes to a clutch operated compressor in liquid form, then through a condenser radiator (mounted in front of the engine cooling radiator) as a gas to a filter/drier to the evaporator and back to the compressor.
Evaporator (see pic on previous page) has a dual fan to blow the cold air.
That's the basics.

jonti said:
What size engine is it on the car?

1372.

SFB · Sep 19, 2016

Managed to wire cooling fan to work off A/C trinary switch with a relay.

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