Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[JimmyG]

With the hot weather, it is possible that some owners are checking their air con.....if they have a model with it installed and working. When the system is healthy, the front fans pulse on-and-off (in answer to a recent question).

There have been strands in the past about how much gas is required. I used to follow the general wisdom of 1.25kg for my diesel 4M40 LWB Super Exceed.

I now have a 3L V6 (2002) which arrived in this country from Japan early 2021 in relatively good condition. There are a number of Mitsubishi original service stickers under the bonnet with useful information (most of it Japanese). For this model PD6W Exceed, with dual system air conditioning, the sticker states 0.980kg + or - 0.020kg (ie between 0.960 and 1.00kg). I am told by a specialist service agent whom I trust that over-filling with gas can result is less-effective cooling. The machine they use for re-gassing will monitor pressure as it fills and the technician may choose to cut off at what they consider a suitable reading.

My preference would be to have another diesel, but beggars can't be choosers. And this model has a side-step which still works (although I generally keep it switched off) and twin sunroofs which still work....for the time being.

[Google]

[Green Grouch]

Good info for the future. Cheers

I also have a 2002 v6, previously had the diesel.

Aircon still good with mine, but will have this in my watched posts if ever needed. 👍
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A Little Knowledge is Dangerous and expensive! especially if your me Mending anything!!

[Uncle Nick]

Oddly enough I was wondering about getting mine regassed as it doesn’t blow very cold, so your post is perfectly timed for me, thanks for the info.
Does it need to be a different type of gas to modern stuff, as it’s an old system?

[andyman]

Uncle Nick, when you say it doesn't blow very cold, do the twin condenser fans cut in when you press the A/C button? If there is insufficient pressure in the system, this will not happen, nor will the compressor clutch engage. If that is the case, and your system effectively has no gas in it, you will need it professionally purged, compression tested, and refilled (assuming it holds pressure). If it has had no pressure, and hasn't worked for a while, there is a likelihood that the compressor seals have dried out and shrunk. They can sometimes be revived by circulating the PAG oil, which is part of any A/C service - this oil is the reason why you should run your system at least every month,  regardless of the weather/heat, - to circulate the oil; -  it keeps your seals in good order and the gas in the system. Your L400 will have been manufactured with the more eco-friendly R134a gas in the system, - early L300s like mine had the now banned R12, which can't be mixed with R134a. R134a has now been superceded, but you can still get R134a compatible gas. If your system is still working (even if only just!) you can buy DIY gas kits on-line, complete with a charge meter, which shows you when your system is adequately charged. If not, take it to a specialist for a diagnostic check-up.
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

[Uncle Nick]

Hi Andy, thanks for the detailed reply. I’ve checked and when I press the A/C button there is a loud fan noice, so I’m guessing it’s still working to at least some degree. Makes a pleasant and most welcome change to things on this vehicle!
Pleasant surprise having the more modern gas as well.

I’ll have a look for a recharge kit, so expect daft posts about how to do it!

Cheers mate 👍

[annek]

can any tell me what it means when the fans initially blow strong and then drop off in power?  It still blows hot and cold, but I can't smell the chemicals in the a/c anymore and its definitely not cold enough either.  What happens if something like the clutch has stopped working?  Is that a common issue with failing a/c?

[Uncle Nick]

Hi, when you say the fans drop off in power, do you mean don’t blow as hard or the temperature of the air they’re blowing changes?
I wouldn’t have thought smelling chemicals is right.

[annek]

yeah, I can always smell the a/c!

so the pressure of the air, the power of the fan slows after its initial enthusiasm.  Don't smell the a/c anymore, and its not cold, so i guess its stopped working.

Although it still blows out the hot or cold, its just not as enthusiastic as the instant it is turned on, if that makes sense?

[andyman]

You shouldn't "smell" the a/c unless there is a leak somewhere. It doesn't have the sweet smell you get from radiator/heater system coolant. If the heater is leaking, you'll get damp carpet, if a/c gas is leaking, you won't. A/C always blows fast when first switched on, then drops to slower speed as desired temperature is reached. If you put A/C to MAX, (coldest), it will continue to run flat out. If the slower speed won't maintain the cool temp. you have set, the internal fans will jump up a speed until the  desired coolness is achieved again. The twin fans on the front of the condenser/radiator may also pulse up and down separately in response to the heat of the coolant gas removing heat from the evaporator (chiller) matrixes under the dash, and under the rear floor/ sill.
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

[annek]

no wet floor, and no a/c.  just the fan comes on strong, then always slow immediately, like one or two seconds after hitting the max fan button, from being off.

no sweet smell.  I reckon it's had it.  hard in this weather!

[andyman]

The fact that it it responds to the A/C button indicates you may have some pressure in the system, just not enough to provide a noticeable cooling effect. Probably worth getting it checked for pressure/leaks at a specialist in time for the next heat wave. I gather a/c specialists have been run off their feet over the last few weeks!
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

[Deker]

Does anyone know where I can find an A/C expert on L400's

On my car the A/C clutch will not engage. This is before and after gas fill.

Mr D

[annek]

no, sorry, its pressing the max fan rocker to increase air flow, initially outputs stronger flow then 1/2 secs drops off quite a lot, so I hit the 'off' switch, then press the incrase air flow button again...simply switching the a/c button makes no discernable difference, so I reckon it must be broke

Yeah, suddenly everyone's ac is broken when they come to need it!  There used to be options about for free a/c checks too, but don't see any of them around.

[annek]

[andyman]

Deker, I take it you have checked continuity to the a/c clutch switch? If it's a solenoid, can you get someone with good hearing to listen for a click at the front of the car?
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

[Deker]

Andy. The A/C clutch would engage if the "Solenoid"   were to "Click"

With the 2.8 diesel engine running, it would be impossible to hear a small electro mechanical device engaging  

Continuity check - There are three wires at the A/C compressor - one of them may be a sensor,
so which two would be for the clutch  

P.S. In "The Old Days" vehicle electricks were easy, nice large nuts or screws to get easy contact for testing.
Not so easy with the modern plugs N sockets  

Mr D

[andyman]

Does the engine have to be running, ie does the clutch solenoid rely on dynamic, or static gas pressure?
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

[andyman]

PS Have to agree about the complexity of "modern" electronics. That's one reason why I have my dinosaur!
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!