With or without rear A/C

[Christophe Salvain]

Hi

I need to change the A/C compressor but dont know if my '91 TransSport comes with rear A/C.
Any clue is welcome

Christophe Salvaing

[iceman2]

Originally Posted by Christophe Salvain

Hi

I need to change the A/C compressor but dont know if my '91 TransSport comes with rear A/C.
Any clue is welcome

Christophe Salvaing

You have rear AC if you have separate rear controls.

[Christophe Salvain]

Originally Posted by iceman2

You have rear AC if you have separate rear controls.

Ok but there is only a rear control knob on the front center console, that drives only the fan, but not the T°.
But no control in rear place.

It seems, it's w/o rear a/c no ?

Thx

[iceman2]

Originally Posted by Christophe Salvain

Ok but there is only a rear control knob on the front center console, that drives only the fan, but not the T°.
But no control in rear place.

It seems, it's w/o rear a/c no ?

Thx

My vote would be, no, why do you ask, can't you just take the old one in for comparison?

[Christophe Salvain]

Originally Posted by iceman2

My vote would be, no, why do you ask, can't you just take the old one in for comparison?

Because I will order the compressor on www.rockauto.com and I can't compare side by side right now.

[iceman2]

Originally Posted by Christophe Salvain

Because I will order the compressor on www.rockauto.com and I can't compare side by side right now.

Understand, you might drive vehicle to Pontiac dealer, ask for a price quote from the parts dept, and make sure they right down the part#.

[Christophe Salvain]

Originally Posted by iceman2

Understand, you might drive vehicle to Pontiac dealer, ask for a price quote from the parts dept, and make sure they right down the part#.

Ok Iceman, thanks for your help.

[guido0136]

Wait - let me get this straight. If my '93 transport has rear controls it has a separate A/C unit?
I need new lines for mine main unit but have never tried the rear controls. If my main A/C does not work does that mean my rear might?

Sorry, but I have been trying to fix my A/C for two years - slowly changing parts. Now I'm told after spending $1000.00 Canadian on other parts, that it will still take another $750.00 to replace the lines.

Any help would be great.

[LMP]

The only thing that is "separate" in the hardware is additional lines and rear discharge valve and evaporator. The compressor is common to both.
Here in Canada, I've never seen any with the rear A/C...only rear heater. There are controls for the rear fan above the front ash tray, and also behind the driver seat. However, a/c control is common to both front and rear (when so equipped), from the front heater control, so in fact, controls carry no external visible difference between those with or without rear A/C: those having rear a/c will simply pump colder air when a/c is chosen from the main HVAC control, while those having only rear heater will simply circulate air from the floor to the top vents, wihtout cooling nor heating.
There are 2 types of compressors though, one is a variable displacement V5, mostly used with the 3.1 , and the "on-off" HR6 type mostly used with the 3.8.
Cars with only front heater (no a/c) are C40 option
Cars with front a/c are said to have C67 option
in addition:
Cars with rear heater controlled only from the front have option C57
Cars with rear heater with additional control knob behind driver seat have option C34
Cars with rear heater and rear a/c all have the rear control knob and are known as option C34/C36
MAybe these options numbers are stamped somewhere.....

[guido0136]

Thanks LMP - once again you are a wealth of knowledge.

So maybe you know of a supplier (other than a wrecker and GM directly) where I can pick up thesel ines - CHEAP?

What I need is the (I think) the high and low lines that feed the evaporator (Thing that looks like a rad) When the dufuss' tried to replace the old evaporator last year they twisted and snaped the two lines feeding it. Other than that I believe my A/C is good to go as the compressor engaged under pressure.

Boy it gets hot in a Black Transsport in the sun.....

Thanks,

[Christophe Salvain]

A feedback from the A/C spécialist.
Diag is : the compressor is in good condition, it's only the low level insulating fluid.
He just removed the R12 with a vacuum pump, then replace with R413A and it works great ! ! ! Cost : 30€ ($40.18)

Chris.

[LMP]

Originally Posted by Christophe Salvain

...removed the R12 with a vacuum pump, then replace with R413A and it works great .

...R134A, of course..
Interesting ...
Considering the controversy expressed here
http://searchwarp.com/swa15436.htm
..your experience is rather "refreshing". May be the system is not "optimized" by a direct swap like this, but if it is OK, even if not top notch, this is an easy solution to an up to date and environmentally acceptable system.

[Christophe Salvain]

Originally Posted by LMP

...R134A, of course..
Interesting ...
Considering the controversy expressed here
http://searchwarp.com/swa15436.htm
..your experience is rather "refreshing". May be the system is not "optimized" by a direct swap like this, but if it is OK, even if not top notch, this is an easy solution to an up to date and environmentally acceptable system.

No no ... NOT R134A but R413A which is a a substution fluid WITHOUT any transformation.
Here is a chart (in french but easy to understand) of substituition fluid comparative http://www.calorie.fr/pdf/substitution.PDF.

Chris.

[LMP]

My day is not lost: I've learned something...Thanks...But that is funny it looks as they simply mixed the numbers. All my cars are already R134...but my house air conditioning is R-12..so I'll known where to go. Stupid fact is in Canada they do not sell R-134 ..but can be procured on e-bay...need some for my Kia Sportage...
Interesting fact R413 it is R-12 oil compatible, which R134 is not.
Aucun probleme avec le français.....
p.s.`I'm gonmna update the "controversy" thread above with your info.....

Following your info, I found comments saying R413 generated more noise from the compressor, related to production of bubbles that make the one way valves noisy...can you comment on that?
ALso, browsing forums, R413 seems widely known in Europe, while there are almost no references in America. Can't find any on E-bay or elsewhere yet....

[Christophe Salvain]

Originally Posted by LMP

Aucun probleme avec le français.....

You're welcome

Originally Posted by LMP

Following your info, I found comments saying R413 generated more noise from the compressor, related to production of bubbles that make the one way valves noisy...can you comment on that?

Curiously, the compressor is quieter now.

Originally Posted by LMP

ALso, browsing forums, R413 seems widely known in Europe, while there are almost no references in America. Can't find any on E-bay or elsewhere yet....

In North America DURACOOL® 12a can replace R12 :
http://www.deepcool.ca/en/auto/produit_e.html

You can find R413a to a refrigeration engineer truck (it's where i found it) : Thermoking or Carrier for both more known! Last precision: the gas R413 is totally missible with R12, it uses the same oil, does not damage either joints or compressors in the measure or it was specially planned to replace R12 in the refrigerated systems (or of air conditioning) long-distance truck drivers.

Regards.

Chris.