Vitesse Condenser...or not...

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mikkmuzik
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Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by mikkmuzik » Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:58 am

Anyone with a non leaking condenser for a Vitesse Or the next question will a standard one do ..I know it would then cover the intercooler. Im not sure how the rest of the system would hold up, so i dont want to spend a fortune on it. I went to get it gassed and was leaking on the seals (no problem)and the fins well one of them.
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scoobyh123
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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:04 pm

What is the size of your condenser Mike? Fairly sure you won't be able to fit a standard one because the intercooler will be in the way as it's thicker than the radiator.
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Dave

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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by mikkmuzik » Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:47 pm

Hi, yeah thats the problem, the standard condenser looks like it might touch the rad housing or be ultra close to it and the bracket is different, but thats easy to solve. Thats why im also asking if anyone has done a mod to it. The mech at ATS took it no further after he spotted 2 leaks..there could be more faults its not been gassed for years. So want keep costs to the min.
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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:28 pm

That makes a lot more sense all round. First bit of advice is find yourself a specialist in air-con and forget ATS, Fik-Kwit and all the other "High St" names that have suddenly added Air-con to their repertoire of services.

A half-decent specialist will vac it down to firstly see if it's holding vacuum and possibly identify leaks from that but also the process of vacuuming it out (evacuating the system) removes all moisture from the system which can cause problems later on. What happens to water when it gets cold? Turns to ice and in a system full of refrigerant, that can happen all too easily!

Also they can temporarily charge it with an inert gas to test for leaks before refilling with the R134a, PAG oil, sealant and leak detector dye. That may show up a simple "O" ring repair needed in two places on your condenser, fix those and that might be the end of all your leaks.

Also the specialists are likely to have a stock of commonly used parts such as "O" rings, PAG oil (necessary for Nippon Denso compressors) and believe it or not, may even carry a standard 800 condenser on board as it fits half the car parc on the road today as well!

Have a look here and see if you have a CoolCar franschisee in your area :

https://www.coolcaraircon.co.uk/

Franchisees/specialists have a vested interest in getting it right, it's their reputation and ultimately their living on the line if they don't. The guy in ATS will still have a job and with the size of ATS behind him, will find a way to wriggle out of anything.
Also the chances are, the specialist/franchisee won't be much if any dearer than ATS and you won't have to keep taking it back to have it right. :wink: :D
Cheers,
Dave

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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by mikkmuzik » Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:01 pm

He used nitrogen (which as we know is inert) to pressurize it first even left it a bit longer to show up any leaks, also showed an interest in my car and engine which he called a proper engine anyway....... The pressure in the system was non-existent.. yes the o ring leaking on the bottom pipe but a crack in the condenser fin second one down, going on to the body bubbled away with a pleasant fizz...well not really. He wasn't out to get the cash from me either.... It was a test to see if it worked and at 34.99 with a groupon voucher which i got back anyway, showed it wasnt up to the job of working.. which takes me back to saying need the parts cheap to test the rest of the system under load.
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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by scoobyh123 » Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:35 pm

I think you'll have to keep an eye on ebay or try Ron at Best of British Rover to see if he has one. It seems the same smaller condenser was also used by the diseasel 800s so you may be lucky - he recently had a diesel water radiator for sale on fleabay so may have the condenser as well.
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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by mercedade » Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:12 am

Thread divert (sorry, I don't have a condenser - I'll ask around though. Whereabouts are you?)

ATS were pretty decent with me and my ZT when using their air-con regas groupon - £27 rather than £50 odd? Yes please!
They took their time, I watched them give it a proper inspection - it wasn't just plug in, set to cycle and leave. They've definitely got their drawbacks, but big chains don't want to risk losing the franchise or license by dumping a load of R134a into the atmosphere - it's a money spinner and they don't want to lose it, so they stick to the rules and use the tools.
Adrian
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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by scoobyh123 » Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:23 am

That's my point exactly Adrian - places like ATS, Fik-Kwit etc are fine for the "run of the mill" regas and similar. When it comes to fault diagnosis, it's often much cheaper to get a specialist in because most of them have been working on A/C since before most of the staff in the average "high street" place were born so have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience.
Cheers,
Dave

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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by mikkmuzik » Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:55 am

mercedade wrote:
Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:12 am
Thread divert (sorry, I don't have a condenser - I'll ask around though. Whereabouts are you?)

ATS were pretty decent with me and my ZT when using their air-con regas groupon - £27 rather than £50 odd? Yes please!
They took their time, I watched them give it a proper inspection - it wasn't just plug in, set to cycle and leave. They've definitely got their drawbacks, but big chains don't want to risk losing the franchise or license by dumping a load of R134a into the atmosphere - it's a money spinner and they don't want to lose it, so they stick to the rules and use the tools.
Hi Im close to Spalding Lincs. and to some people i know 'the middle of f... knowhere'
Vitesse Sport LUX 1995

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scoobyh123
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Re: Vitesse Condenser...or not...

Post by scoobyh123 » Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:27 pm

This is the "full size" condenser but i've posted it here for the contact details for Best of British Rover as they may well have a "small" condenser from a turbo (petrol or diesel it seems) model :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Rove ... 2110469499

Good luck! :wink: :D
Cheers,
Dave

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