Author Topic: Vintage Air problems with the heater part (Read 8086 times)

siminora · « **on:** July 10, 2020, 12:28:17 pm »

I have a 67 Convertible RHD.
I had a Vintage Air AC system fitted last winter which worked OK both hot and cold.
Just drove it yesterday, for the first time in ages, and the heat is very poor, only luke warm.
Would sooner not take it back to the supplier because its a 4 hour drive as I live in a country area.
Can anyone suggest where I may start looking for the cause of the problem?

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2020, 12:35:38 pm »

Are you using a thermostat? The last time that happened to me, the previous owner had removed the thermostat.

siminora · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2020, 12:38:42 pm »

Thats a good point.
The engine is a 347 stroker and its a massive job to get to the thermostat so I am praying that isnt the problem.
The fact is the heater worked just fine the only time i switched it on last winter.

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2020, 01:08:05 pm »

OK, silly question I know, but have you checked the heater fan is working? Might want to check the heater tap/ valve is working/ opening.

69candy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2020, 08:02:25 pm »

Heater tap in the hoses? check that hasn't stuck closed. Mine rotted away in 2 years. Just fitted a new one 3 months ago

siminora · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2020, 12:39:00 pm »

Thank you for all the help. I reckon that the Heater Tap idea is correct.
I have worn my eyes out looking for it and cant find it.
All the instructions from Vintage Air seem to say its in the engine compartment but Alas! its not there.
Removed the glove box and still cant see it.
Im getting right pissed off as I cant get the chief of the AC company to answer an email.

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2020, 01:36:27 pm »

It will be in the engine bay and look something like this. Mine is close to the firewall on the right hand side.

siminora · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2020, 02:09:20 pm »

Aussie, thanks a million for your help, the pic isnt that clear but I can trace both heater pipes from engine to firewall and there is nothing connected to either one.
I therefor figure its somewhere behind the dash. Removed the glove box and still cant see it.
Horror! Is it between the main unit and firewall??? Shit!

USA066 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2020, 03:22:17 pm »

That’s weird! The heater control valve has to be installed in the heater hose between the intake manifold and heater. I would contact the supplier/installer and question what they have done with it. I don’t know how your system would work without it.

siminora · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2020, 04:04:25 pm »

Ive just been chatting to him via Messenger and he is saying that it is installed between the bulkhead and the evaporator. I cant imagine why!
This company seems to be pretty big into Vintage Air system installs so I will have to give way to his knowledge...I suppose.
Ill have to get my arse into gear and take it to Sydney, 4 hour trip....Rats

69candy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2020, 06:56:44 pm »

pull the glove box, and facia, there will be about 4 nuts holding the unit to the firewall on the engine bay side by the hoses. U should be able to pull it back enough to get at the hose I would think. Worth a try to save a long drive and a hefty bill from them

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2020, 08:03:51 pm »

If you do go see the installer, ask them to relocate it to a more accessible location.

siminora · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2020, 09:54:50 am »

The installer called me yesterday and said he really never had a problem with the taps.
Said to disconnect the hoses at the engine and back flush to prove weather or not the valve is working.
Ill try doing this today and let you know the results.
I take your suggestion thou and if it has to go back to them get them to move it into the engine bay.

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2020, 11:41:42 am »

Quote from: siminora on July 12, 2020, 09:54:50 am

The installer called me yesterday and said he really never had a problem with the taps.
Said to disconnect the hoses at the engine and back flush to prove weather or not the valve is working.

That will work. Will at least tell you if it's closed/ blocked. Have fun.

siminora · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2020, 01:31:35 pm »

Aussie,
I took off the top engine hose and established that is DOES have a Thremostat and it was closed, when cold.
Disconnected the heater hoses, connected the garden hose and switched controls in all directions, changed hose inputs and alas! no flow thru.
This leads me to the conclusion thats its a rooted tap or the driver control panel connections.
I have no way of fault finding these connections as I dont have a wiring diagram I I thing the Installers are adapting one from a different model

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2020, 01:38:11 pm »

The control will be via cable or vacuum. If you drop the control panel you can see which it is. Could be a cable that's not mounted correctly.

They can/ do slip off the control lever.

That said you could take it to your local mechanic and let the AC installer talk him through fault finding. Might save a 4 hour trip.

siminora · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2020, 01:51:49 pm »

Naa, its an electronic control operate with potentiometers and relays. I believe part No 490257. It cost me Au$1000 from CJ Pony parts.

Aussie-67 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2020, 02:16:55 pm »

I'm not familiar with that one. I'll have to look it up.

Cob427 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2020, 02:30:52 pm »

Might be worth checking if the potentiometer has come off the back of the control lever.
https://www.vintageair.com/instructions_pdf/554168.pdf

USA066 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2020, 04:09:29 pm »

Also, if you can get to the valve behind the evaporator, check that the two wires attached to the solenoid terminals are connecting properly.

siminora · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2020, 05:24:50 pm »

Thanks for all your helpful input. My car is RHD and it seems they have to turn the unit upside down to fit it properly. I cant, in any way, even feel the Valve behind the unit. Im sure that the controller is not designed for the particular unit they have installed, so, without a custom circuit diagram there is little I can do.
The other consideration is that the installation is still under warranty so I think I have gone far enough rather to risk screwing it up.
I will make arrangements to take it to Sydney and keep you posted.
Many thanks once again for your input.

efi Coupe · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2020, 09:09:32 pm »

Hi -
If its vintage air - the heater tap will probably look like this :
You should be able to follow the wiring from the control module.

I have the whole install manual - let me know if you need any more info,
Cheers
Dave

efi Coupe · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2020, 09:10:06 pm »

siminora · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2020, 12:43:00 pm »

Hi Dave,
Many thanks for that information but I have already tried to identify those wire couluors but I have different colours at the controller.
I think they use a different unit to the one that the controller, exclusive to the 67, is designed for due to the fact that with a RHD the Vintage Air '67 evaporator doesn fit very well in the Left; Side hence the mod.

I am taking the car to Sydney next week so I will get to the bottom of it and report. I have also offered to pay the cost of taking the tap from behind to the front of the bulkhead
Cheers Ian

siminora · « **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2020, 10:22:41 am »

I took the car to Autofrost in Sydney on Wednesday and they replaced the Heater Valve and re sited it it the engine compartment. Drove the car back yesterday.
Many thanks to you all for the help, much appreciated. Cheers Ian

Vintage Air problems with the heater part

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Author Topic: Vintage Air problems with the heater part (Read 8086 times)