How-to: Get your AC a little colder.

Bitter · 06/07/2008, 09:12 AM

I saw this over at the celica forum i frequent, it will really work on every car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by njccmd2002

Well, i have been running this for 2 week now, checking every two days. And im suprised with the results. materials cost 5 bucks. I have tried this on the corolla. Its been tried on matrix on other forums, each car is different.

Go to home depot and get one of those pipe insulators and zip ties. What i did with the celi, is that i wrapped to insulate the largest a/c pipe.

it keeps most heat away, so it blows colder, i tried to insulate as most as i can. I check it every day, cause, some say is a fire hazzard, but i got the one that is rated for high temps.

Well enough of the talk, here is the proof.

BTW, if you dont like it, dont critizice, it is not hot looks, but in Georgia, the summers are killing. And it can be removed for winter....

one word of caution, you need to check the temperature of the air coming out of the vents with a candy thermometer or something similar. the temperature of the air CANNOT be 32F or colder. if it is the evaporator core will ice over and you'll get NO cold air for several hours. cars do have a way of metering and controlling the amount of freon going in to keep it from freezing up, but its not fool proof. if it does freeze over the freon wont be able to evaporate and could do harm, but its unlikely since the 3G is a much newer car where this is controlled alot better. just be careful on older cars.

if you live somewhere that its god awful hot and no matter how well charged and how well working your AC is and its just never as cold as it should be, then this IS for you!

TSI27 · 06/09/2008, 01:10 PM

Wow I needed this badly. Im going out to buy some right now and see if it works. Anyone know what size it would be best to get?

WorldWind · 06/09/2008, 02:26 PM

I posted that mod 3 years or so ago.

Here is a pic of my engine bay from about one year ago.

well it's not letting me up load a pic so you will have to search for it.

ahspimp023 · 06/09/2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldWind

I posted that mod 3 years or so ago.

Here is a pic of my engine bay from about one year ago.

Fail.

00TampaBlueGT · 06/09/2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahspimp023

Fail.

I would like to see how it looks on our car and the size to use though. My AC sucks! Right now on LI its 95 and the AC just isn't cold enough. I feel bad for you guys down South I hate the heat! Only plus w. the heat is no lifter tap! Woot!

WorldWind · 06/09/2008, 02:43 PM

This is the thread but the pics have apparently been removed.

Post pic of your custom engine detailing

raz_76 · 06/09/2008, 02:44 PM

How about using the heat wraps used to wrap exhaust manifolds, those are fire proof. Would those work?? or are those just to keep heat in?

TSI27 · 06/09/2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raz_76

How about using the heat wraps used to wrap exhaust manifolds, those are fire proof. Would those work?? or are those just to keep heat in?

I dont think they would be as effective as the foam. The AC lines give off moisture and I think foam would work better then a wrap.

raz_76 · 06/09/2008, 03:22 PM

What about using the foam and then wrap them??

TSI27 · 06/09/2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raz_76

What about using the foam and then wrap them??

Eh I would just use the foam. With the wrap your going to be sealing the lines and they actually might get too cold from not being able to vent somewhat and freeze.

Devin01RT · 06/09/2008, 04:07 PM

Nice, I had never even though about something like this actually working, I also need this very badly...

AgentSkully · 06/10/2008, 03:40 AM

hey bitter, I'm looking at the picture and I don't know Toyota's very well, but did he wrap it on the high side after the condenser to the orifice/dryer, or the low side from the evap to the compressor?

TSI27 · 06/10/2008, 04:19 PM

Your gunna want to wrap the lowside. If you get out with your AC on you can feel how cold your low side is.

Buri3d · 06/11/2008, 10:33 PM

Nice idea thanks, down here in FL its hot as balls, I garauntee my condensor wont freeze up lol.

Elizabeth · 06/20/2008, 05:32 PM

Great idea. Yes, in FL the heat combined with an all back interior it is rediculous. I am off to HD tomorrow for materials!

terribilitale · 06/20/2008, 08:15 PM

113 in Phoenix today! 114 forecast tomorrow. I.ll be trying this out next week

04MOJOGT · 06/21/2008, 12:38 AM

Hmmm im going to try that on my SpecV. The Ac is never as cold as the 3g's. Im going to do this tomorrow.

Bios24 · 07/06/2008, 09:47 AM

Any update on how well this works? Pics perhaps? My A/C always takes a good 5-10 minutes to cool down in the summer heat. Wondering if this would help.

Bitter · 07/06/2008, 09:59 AM

some of your problems sound like a low charge, have that checked out.

Mr unique · 07/03/2009, 01:44 PM

Mine is never cool enough ima try this because I already check and system is charged and pressure is right so I guess this might help if anyone done this on a 3g post pics and maybe extra suggestions

07/03/2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr unique

Mine is never cool enough ima try this because I already check and system is charged and pressure is right so I guess this might help if anyone done this on a 3g post pics and maybe extra suggestions

That doesn't sound right. I live in a hot ass climate where I'm at and my old GT blew almost ice cold.

If your charge is where it's supposed to be, verified by a manifold gauge set of course, then maybe your condensor is being blocked up somewhat by something off the road.

Mr unique · 07/03/2009, 03:24 PM

i know it doesnt sound right.. because my friend has a GTS and blows colder than mine which takes a few mins to cool
i got my ac checked twice at different shops and once by this guy that claims to know about ACs and they all said everything is working fine but i still got my doubts

Bitter · 07/03/2009, 03:40 PM

my mothers AC was weak but the system was working correctly and only .2lbs low after over 10yrs, turns out a sandwhich baggie was sucked into the HVAC system and was blocking airflow through the evap core.

07/03/2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitter

my mothers AC was weak but the system was working correctly and only .2lbs low after over 10yrs, turns out a sandwhich baggie was sucked into the HVAC system and was blocking airflow through the evap core.

Exactly.

If the people who did the lookover on the A/C said they couldn't find anything wrong, I bet they didn't consider the simplest part of all, the Condensor being blocked up. It's hard to tell that on our cars with the way the bumpers are made, so you'll most likely need to get down there and look up in it. I bet the fins are either all bent to hell from bugs and shit, or you've got leaves or something similar in there blocking flow.

Mr unique · 07/03/2009, 03:57 PM

awesome thank you guys

02TitaniumGT · 07/04/2009, 01:09 AM

I might have to try this, Texas heat is killer. The A/C in my 3g is definitely not as cold as it was in my old '96 mustang. In the mustang it got so cold I would have to turn it off.

ihartmacz · 07/10/2009, 05:27 PM

I just did this yesterday and I did notice a big improvement in the temperature of my A/C. The insulation keeps the cold low side pipes from getting condensation and gaining heat before the evaporator. Very simple and pretty ingenious.

I was surprised about how the Eclipses A/C was not as effective as my previous Grand Prix GT or Mazda 626, but now it beats them all.

Here are some pictures of the completed project. I may have went a little overboard, but right now in Nebraska it's very humid and I wanted the A/C badly.

had to get a picture of the whole car for good measure

Sorry; pictures are from my Motorola Q9c, not a nice camera.

Mr unique · 07/10/2009, 07:07 PM

i did it as well and notice some change but it was not the greatest so definitely my system is clogged somewhere

might go to the shop... damn...

Bitter · 07/10/2009, 07:22 PM

this reminds me to do this to my new car

primula · 07/10/2009, 08:41 PM

i'm going to do this too

i just bought the materials right after i read this thread!

Bitter · 07/10/2009, 09:33 PM

i've cross posted this to some other forums and they've been doing it with alot of success. seems to work the best on cars which have mostly aluminum lines, which makes sense since aluminum is a great conductor of heat!

06/09/2008, 01:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
TSI27 "Suck my unit" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Behind you Vehicle: ...coming soon Posts: 2,925	Wow I needed this badly. Im going out to buy some right now and see if it works. Anyone know what size it would be best to get? __________________ The sweet sound of a turbo spooling sooths me.

06/09/2008, 02:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
WorldWind Exacerbated Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Lake Havasu Vehicle: 2kFsGt5sp/TbPP Posts: 2,683	I posted that mod 3 years or so ago. Here is a pic of my engine bay from about one year ago. well it's not letting me up load a pic so you will have to search for it. Last edited by WorldWind; 06/09/2008 at 02:33 PM.

06/09/2008, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
raz_76 Nismo Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: -OKC- Vehicle: Maxima SE 6spd Manual Posts: 3,588	How about using the heat wraps used to wrap exhaust manifolds, those are fire proof. Would those work?? or are those just to keep heat in? __________________

06/09/2008, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
raz_76 Nismo Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: -OKC- Vehicle: Maxima SE 6spd Manual Posts: 3,588	What about using the foam and then wrap them?? __________________

06/10/2008, 03:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
AgentSkully Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Vehicle: 03 GTS 5spd Posts: 556	hey bitter, I'm looking at the picture and I don't know Toyota's very well, but did he wrap it on the high side after the condenser to the orifice/dryer, or the low side from the evap to the compressor? __________________ "My attorney had never been able to accept the notion, often espoused by former drug abusers, that you can get a lot higher without drugs than with them, and neither have I for that matter."

06/09/2008, 02:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
WorldWind Exacerbated Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Lake Havasu Vehicle: 2kFsGt5sp/TbPP Posts: 2,683	This is the thread but the pics have apparently been removed. Post pic of your custom engine detailing

06/09/2008, 04:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
Devin01RT Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jacksonville,Florida Vehicle: 2001 Dodge Stratus R/T Posts: 1,931	Nice, I had never even though about something like this actually working, I also need this very badly...

06/10/2008, 04:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
TSI27 "Suck my unit" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Behind you Vehicle: ...coming soon Posts: 2,925	Your gunna want to wrap the lowside. If you get out with your AC on you can feel how cold your low side is. __________________ The sweet sound of a turbo spooling sooths me.

06/11/2008, 10:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
Buri3d Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tampa, FL Vehicle: 00 Eclipse GS Posts: 3	Nice idea thanks, down here in FL its hot as balls, I garauntee my condensor wont freeze up lol.

06/20/2008, 05:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
Elizabeth Cackle! Join Date: Oct 2005 Vehicle: 2006 Mazdaspeed6 Sport Posts: 2,672	Great idea. Yes, in FL the heat combined with an all back interior it is rediculous. I am off to HD tomorrow for materials!

06/20/2008, 08:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
terribilitale terribilitalex Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mesa AZ Vehicle: 2000 GS Posts: 226	113 in Phoenix today! 114 forecast tomorrow. I.ll be trying this out next week

06/21/2008, 12:38 AM	#17 (permalink)
04MOJOGT Anastacia HOE!!!! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte NC Vehicle: 04 3g GT/ 03 SpecV Posts: 4,007	Hmmm im going to try that on my SpecV. The Ac is never as cold as the 3g's. Im going to do this tomorrow.

07/06/2008, 09:47 AM	#18 (permalink)
Bios24 What Speed Limit? Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Vehicle: 2003 Eclipse GT Posts: 604	Any update on how well this works? Pics perhaps? My A/C always takes a good 5-10 minutes to cool down in the summer heat. Wondering if this would help. __________________

07/06/2008, 09:59 AM	#19 (permalink)
Bitter am cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: South of Chicago Vehicle: 2007 Camaro Posts: 35,685	some of your problems sound like a low charge, have that checked out. __________________ 2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar' 1993 Geo Prizm 7A-FE/A245E

07/03/2009, 01:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
Mr unique Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: houston Vehicle: 2003 eclipse Posts: 341	Mine is never cool enough ima try this because I already check and system is charged and pressure is right so I guess this might help if anyone done this on a 3g post pics and maybe extra suggestions

07/03/2009, 03:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
Mr unique Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: houston Vehicle: 2003 eclipse Posts: 341	i know it doesnt sound right.. because my friend has a GTS and blows colder than mine which takes a few mins to cool i got my ac checked twice at different shops and once by this guy that claims to know about ACs and they all said everything is working fine but i still got my doubts

07/03/2009, 03:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
Bitter am cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: South of Chicago Vehicle: 2007 Camaro Posts: 35,685	my mothers AC was weak but the system was working correctly and only .2lbs low after over 10yrs, turns out a sandwhich baggie was sucked into the HVAC system and was blocking airflow through the evap core.

07/03/2009, 03:57 PM	#25 (permalink)
Mr unique Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: houston Vehicle: 2003 eclipse Posts: 341	awesome thank you guys

07/04/2009, 01:09 AM	#26 (permalink)
02TitaniumGT . Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Highland Village, Tx Vehicle: 2002 Titanium Eclipse GT Posts: 487	I might have to try this, Texas heat is killer. The A/C in my 3g is definitely not as cold as it was in my old '96 mustang. In the mustang it got so cold I would have to turn it off. __________________ -Phil- ----------------------------------------------------- 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 5spd "Some things in life, people will never understand."

07/10/2009, 05:27 PM	#27 (permalink)
ihartmacz Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincoln, NE Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GS Posts: 16	I just did this yesterday and I did notice a big improvement in the temperature of my A/C. The insulation keeps the cold low side pipes from getting condensation and gaining heat before the evaporator. Very simple and pretty ingenious. I was surprised about how the Eclipses A/C was not as effective as my previous Grand Prix GT or Mazda 626, but now it beats them all. Here are some pictures of the completed project. I may have went a little overboard, but right now in Nebraska it's very humid and I wanted the A/C badly. had to get a picture of the whole car for good measure Sorry; pictures are from my Motorola Q9c, not a nice camera.

07/10/2009, 07:07 PM	#28 (permalink)
Mr unique Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: houston Vehicle: 2003 eclipse Posts: 341	i did it as well and notice some change but it was not the greatest so definitely my system is clogged somewhere might go to the shop... damn...

07/10/2009, 07:22 PM	#29 (permalink)
Bitter am cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: South of Chicago Vehicle: 2007 Camaro Posts: 35,685	this reminds me to do this to my new car

07/10/2009, 08:41 PM	#30 (permalink)
primula zy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Vehicle: 2001 Eclipse RS Posts: 873	i'm going to do this too i just bought the materials right after i read this thread! __________________

07/10/2009, 09:33 PM	#31 (permalink)
Bitter am cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: South of Chicago Vehicle: 2007 Camaro Posts: 35,685	i've cross posted this to some other forums and they've been doing it with alot of success. seems to work the best on cars which have mostly aluminum lines, which makes sense since aluminum is a great conductor of heat!