Air Con retrofit - solution!

[Tewje]

Hi All!

My 2000 MR2 doesn't have air condition - which is a huge problems during hot polish summer (hard to belive, but that's true - we have summer in Poland)

I want to retrofit it by myself. I've checked all the parts needed: 1. Compressor (with longer belt) 2.Condenser 3. Extra fan 4. Cooling unit  5. Tubes 6. Heater Control with A/C button

It seems quite easy to fit. I downloaded manual - step by step through 18 pages. But - I'm affraid that theory differs a lot from reality.
Has any of you done that? Have you seen DIY tutorials with photos? What are main problems during fittment?
What about electric issues - are all wiring exist in every mr2 or I have to buy them?

Any informations would help!

Thank you

[shnazzle]

Hi All!

My 2000 MR2 doesn't have air condition - which is a huge problems during hot polish summer (hard to belive, but that's true - we have summer in Poland)

I want to retrofit it by myself. I've checked all the parts needed: 1. Compressor (with longer belt) 2.Condenser 3. Extra fan 4. Cooling unit  5. Tubes 6. Heater Control with A/C button

It seems quite easy to fit. I downloaded manual - step by step through 18 pages. But - I'm affraid that theory differs a lot from reality.
Has any of you done that? Have you seen DIY tutorials with photos? What are main problems during fittment?
What about electric issues - are all wiring exist in every mr2 or I have to buy them?

Any informations would help!

Thank you

Fitting is one thing, gassing it up would need to be done at a garage.
it is possible to fit the compressor with the engine in place?

[Tewje]

I'll gas it at air con service. And yes - I'll fit compressor by myself

[cabbydave]

Yes all the wiring is there but you will need the switch and relays.

[CrazySX]

Don't u need another radiator fan too?

[shnazzle]

Things he's mentioned that  s:) s:)  READ! hehe

I'm interested in this as I've always discounted 2s without aircon (since owning one without), but if fitting is easy... Changes things

[cabbydave]

Don't u need another radiator fan too?

That will be the Condenser

[shnazzle]

I think he means that aircon cars have two fans in the front instead of one. Which is true as far as I know

[CrazySX]

I think he means that aircon cars have two fans in the front instead of one. Which is true as far as I know

Exactly that Pat. Should have been more clear.

[Tewje]

Right. Condenser is one thing but other is additional fan.
So, about wires and electric stuff - compressor needs to be connected to battery and as you have said - the whole wiring is in my car- I don't need to add anything to electric bundle?
Same with control unit with A/C button? Is it p&p? Just to remove old HU without the button and replace it with the one with the button?

Sorry for my english- I'm not precise as much as I wanted to be.

[Tewje]

For those who are interested in retrofiting A/C to our cars.
All parts cost me 385 euro. Fitting was about 115 euro - So all together was around 500 euro.
It's not that hard as you would think.

If you want more info - just ask

[AmeR]

Do you have a full list of parts that you needed to buy? It's something I'm considering doing at some point to make my car more usable during warmer weather.

[shnazzle]

Very nice!
If at all possible, a how-to would really be beneficial for the How To section, as a lot of us are sans-aircon.

[CrazySX]

For those who are interested in retrofiting A/C to our cars.
All parts cost me 385 euro. Fitting was about 115 euro - So all together was around 500 euro.
It's not that hard as you would think.

If you want more info - just ask

Why not write up a parts list and a how to?  It would be a good contribution to the club.

[Tewje]

OK! I'll make a list of parts together with photos today and later on few comments about fitment. I didn't do it by myself so I don't have photos. But I'll try to halp as much as I can

[shnazzle]

OK! I'll make a list of parts together with photos today and later on few comments about fitment. I didn't do it by myself so I don't have photos. But I'll try to halp as much as I can

Good man. Thanks!

[Vin]

Really interested in this too, would love to see that list.

[Tewje]

Ok. I retrofited A/C. Ito cost me around 430 pounds. But! You must include in it around 65 pounds for few parts shipment (from italy to poland). You've got huge domestic market so buying used parts won't be a problem. And should be cheaper for sure.

This is piping layout with all parts needed (well - 95% of them)



1. Compressor

Mine has suction and discharge hoses cuted. You need three bolts to instal it engine



2. Drive belt - buy it new. It's bit longer that non AC one



3. Discharge & Suction Hoses

Easy to fit and easy to find in good shape



4/5 and 13/14. Discharge & Suction Tubes no 2&3

Those go under the car. Made of aluminium so they are very fragile. It's easy to curve or breake them. So it's very importand to find as good ones as you can. Fitting deformed ones is real pain in the ass.
Don't forget about the clips and clamps.



6 and 8/11. Suction Tube no 1 & Liquid tube no 1& 2 (These are European versions - yours are mirror image)

Luquid tube is strong so it's really hard to preak it. Unlike Suction Tube - be very careful with them.



7. Condenser (It's European versions - yours is mirror image)

Mine look like crap but it's working.



9 & 10. Disharge tube no 3&4

Mine was broken. Needed to weld it. Cost - 15 pounds
It's very hard to remove it from car. So you need to separate no 3 from 4. If you won't do that for sure you'll break it.



12. Cooling unit

It's under the glove box. Easy to find and easy to install.



0.Heater Control Panel

You need to add AC button to your HCP. It's very easy - remove the panel. Cut plastic cup and install AC button. Thats all.
Picture shows eanglis version of AC Head unit with removed button



0. Condenser Fan

Non AC car has just one fan. You need to add second one for AC. I bought whole frame with two fans.



0.AC components all together





Installation manual (LHD version)! -  m https://carmanuals2.com/d/39257 m

Later on I'll add few picks that my mechanic took during his work with few comments

One more layout. With all the clips, bolts and clamps numbers

[J03]

 s:? :? s:?  Crazy that I binned all this stuff from mine, I never thought it'd be of use to anyone.

[1979scotte]

I will be removing mine at some stage. Condesor is shot but the rest is ok. Just dont need it or the weight it adds.

[manos3003]

Nice job Marcin, well documented too!

Was originally thinking of getting an aux belt without A/C for my 2zz swap since my car doesn't have A/C, but then again leather seats with no A/C is not a great combination; even with the under 30 degrees the english weaklings call "heat"   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[alancsalt]

On a RHD car (reversed in places compared to above diagrams) you can get the No.3 & No.4 "discharge tubes" in as one piece if you take the passenger side front wheel off, and undo the under plastics forward of the wheel well, undo three electrical plugs and undo the two radiator pipe brackets. I just did.

AC as a "Manufacturer option", 3 & 4 are a single pipe, as a "Dealer option" it is the two piece pipe.

Not mentioned is the need to cut the crossbar glovebox support and obtain/fabricate a replacement support. That's how the service manual says to do it.  See:
 m https://www.mr2australia.com/mr2play/tm ... 02&mpage=9 m

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[secla]

Just sold a full setup from my car for £50
Only reason I charged that was the time to take it all off !
There not hugely in demand parts so shouldn't cost a fortune from the right person

[Bossworld]

Great post and write up.  Still need to fit my replacement condenser at some point but I'm petrified it could be leaking from somewhere else.  There was a big neon green pool under the circular (dryer) part of the condenser after it was regassed last time so hoping it's just that.

[shnazzle]

Unless your A/C system has been purged, I'd be tempted to leave that part to the pros.
Or, have it emptied, then swap the condenser, then to get it filled professionally