Air conditioner

[shandy]

hi all
ive just seen a 1.6 vitara and the A/C has not worked for about 6 months.

i have been told that it might need a new compressor, how much are these?

if u have A/C will you still have heaps of power or will it be really weak and slow?

any help will be great and if you have had the same problem let me know

thanks

[PJ.zook]

Mate there could be one of many many things wrong wiht the aircon system on why its not working. Best to take it to a professional.

[shandy]

thanks mate
i would do that anyway but i was wondering if it would drain the power by putting in another one?

thanks PJ.zook

[PJ.zook]

In any small engine you will notice a power difference when the aircon compressor is running, but it shouldnt be of any concern unless its on while doing a high speed overtake or a long hillclimb.
Just a couple of small things you can check is see if it has any gas still in it, by unscrewing one of the aircon caps, doesnt matter which one (high pressure or low side, theyre the same when its been sitting for a while), and use a small screwdriver or similar tool to just push open the inner valve a little and see if any gas comes out (valve is very similar to a tyre valve), just be careful because if there is gas, it can give you frostbite so try not to let it vent directly onto youre skin.

[shandy]

hey thanks PJ.zook
i was thinking if you put a larger alternator on, would that increase have any affect?

thanks

[PJ.zook]

Very minimal, quite a few of us including me have a larger alternator fitted. Im using an 85amp (i think) from an EA Falcon. Only minor bracketry mods are required to get it to fit. With the multirib belts on the 1.6 you shouldnt have any trouble with beltslip, but with the single V-belt on the 1.3 you have to put a large pulley on it to stop the belt squealing, plus it also drops the ratio so it doesnt spin too fast due to being on a higher redline engine.
With the 1.6 most mods are fine, in the way of larger aircon, alternator, any other power sapping devices, as they are a lot more powerful than the 1.3's which you do notice less power.