How does your AC work in high heat?

1203 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Alfissimo Int., Oct 11, 2007

redbaron

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2007

I recently moved from Washington to Houston, and noticed that my AC can barely make a dent at the oppressive heat and humidity here. Found a local mechanic, but he says there really isn't anything worth doing because the AC systems were so weak to begin with...

Any other Texans out there that are happy with their AC?

On a side note, I'm looking for a second 164 or maybe milano if anyone close has one for sale. doesn't have to be mint

I also brought quite a stash of 164, alfetta and gtv6 parts with me from WA if anyone local needs something...

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

ChazzyD

· #2 · Oct 9, 2007

We had an extremely hot summer here in Chattanooga this year which prompted me to fix my A/C. I converted to R134 and it gets cold. You have to spend some time doing a search on this forum to get a firm grasp on the obstacles to overcome on the 164, but it can have cold A/C using R12 or R134. You must make sure the trap door that shuts off the heat from the heater core works and you really need to install a manual heater core shut-off in the heater hoses (otherwise hot coolant flows through the core at all times) under the hood to completely stop the flow of heat to the core otherwise you are competing with that heat in the climate control box. Make sure the climate control steppers function correctly and then make sure your A/C system is properly charged with Freon (whichever one you chose) and the rest should be serviced as any other A/C system.
Charles

Save

Zunige

· #3 · Oct 9, 2007

redbaron said:
.. Found a local mechanic, but he says there really isn't anything worth doing because the AC systems were so weak to begin with...

It's always been the case with Alfas that they are a mystery to most mechanics, and they never knew these cars when everything was within spec and working as it should. Hence, the ignorant statements that lead people to accept a sub-standard condition as normal. A properly working A/C in a 164 will freeze you out of the car. Seriously, find a competent Alfa mechanic who is also familiar with A/C systems... Also, there are issues when converting from R12 to R134a (it's not advisable, and there are threads on this BB that discuss this), but you can certainly go with something compatible to R12, like ES-12...

Best regards,

Save

Mistalava

· #4 · Oct 11, 2007

The A/C in my '94 LS will turn your high-beams on. I am pretty much astonished at how well it works even on the hottest days and bumper to bumper SoCal traffic.

Save

sjmst

· #5 · Oct 11, 2007

The A/C in ALL my 164's (and I am on my fourth) has proven to be fully effective. They handle the hottest days, just as you would expect from a modern car. Can't say the same for any other itailan car I have had with A/C.

Save

goats

· #6 · Oct 11, 2007

Aircon performance

Cats

The AC performance of the 164 is great, provided that the AC system is properly set up. There is very little margin for error in the set up. Also, if the car is heat soaked, it takes a while to shed that heat-- the 164 is a heavy car with a lot of glass, and here in Socal it gets hot

1. Correct amount of AC oil in the system is key
2. Correct amount of 134a is key
3. Clean condensor and working fan
4. Sealing surfaces in temp distribution box in good shape
5. Rubber gasket hood to top of false firewall in good shape
6. Insulated lines under the hood as best as you can

when proper, I can get 40 F vent temps in 90 ambient.

See less See more

Save

164 FAMILY

· #7 · Oct 11, 2007 (Edited)

My A/C in the auto 91 164 L that I sold a while ago with the R12 in it blew like ice it blew on the freeway in the high 30's low 40's on 90 to 100 degree days. The Q4 has r134a in it I believe and it blows in the mid 40's on hot days so far.

Save

Alfissimo Int.

· #8 · Oct 11, 2007

goats said:
Cats

The AC performance of the 164 is great, provided that the AC system is properly set up. There is very little margin for error in the set up. Also, if the car is heat soaked, it takes a while to shed that heat-- the 164 is a heavy car with a lot of glass, and here in Socal it gets hot

1. Correct amount of AC oil in the system is key
2. Correct amount of 134a is key
3. Clean condensor and working fan
4. Sealing surfaces in temp distribution box in good shape
5. Rubber gasket hood to top of false firewall in good shape
6. Insulated lines under the hood as best as you can

when proper, I can get 40 F vent temps in 90 ambient.

Yes, this is sooo key to a good A/C on these cars. You need to find the right person to help. He obviously did not want to deal with it. There are a few things that can be done to make the A/C STELLAR!
For one proper flushing and cleaning, new o-rings, expansion valve, A/C filter dryer, proper amount of oil, proper amount of R134a.
Flushing is key, at least an hour of evacuation for the system to be CLEAN.

Now one item that helps with R134 is a larger parallel flow condenser (see my site for 164 condensers).

All done right I for example and others are seeing low 40's from the vents in 100˚F+ weather. Humidity is a factor and most A/C's have to fight with. Will reduce cooling on any system.
Sitting in traffic I get 50-53˚F from the vents. This is in 105-110˚F heat, with humidity during Monsoon season.

It can be done.
I carry all the proper items to do it right including the new aluminum parallel flow condenser which is close to the side of the radiator and a much better design, newest design to date.

Good luck. You can get it cold.

Jason

See less See more

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month