Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[andrewfarmer]

I was hoping someone may have some experience to help us out with our L400 2.8

Our A/C is not functioning and we have no plans to repair in the immediate future. We were thinking about removing the A/C condenser(s) and using the new space to add additional cooling.Either an extra oil or coolant radiator in front of the main rad.

Has anyone done anything like this or does anyone have any experience of removing the old A/C condenser?

Thank you in advance!

[Google]

[Deker]

Andrew.

There is no need to add extra cooling for oil or water on the L400.
If all the parts are in good order, all should be good.

To remove the aircon compressor and associated parts will reduce weight.

HTH

Mr D

[Lewis]

The aircon on my 2nd Deli was damaged, during some rough offroading, proving too expensive to get repaired.
I removed the condensers, front radiators, compressor, oil reservoir and several lengths of piping, the magnetic valves on the bulkhead and further back.

Not having the front radiator in also removed a built up block of hardened mud from between the A/C and water reservoirs, which improved airflow immensley, the fans were left in, partly a they were wired to switch on when it got too hot and also for some extra protection of the water radiator.

The biggst bonus came when I took them to the local scrap dealer. Kerching!  
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[andrewfarmer]

Thank you for your responses. I will remove the condenser for better airflow to the rad and to save some weight. My main desire for extra cooling is as our Deli is pretty much fully loaded with water tanks, full conversion etc. and we will be heading to the Alps and Pyrenees next year. I'm concerned the endless climbs will really stress the cooling system on the Deli and we don't want to have to constantly stop to let her cool down

[Lewis]

I've driven through France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Spain umpteen times.
That includes a fair bit of offroad tracks in Germany and Spain in mid summer.
Also going Via Belgium, Germany, Austria and over the Asiago Plateau and down to Florence and Anzio.
The only time I've experienced overheating is when I've been in traffic on motorways.

Try a trial run and take a trip up and down the Northwest of Scotland.
Take the Corran Ferry, south of Fort William, across to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, visit the lighthouse, then slowly work your way up to Shegra, taking side trips out on the minor roads to the coastal villages. Narrrow roads, tight turns, fantastic views, with varied driving conditions and wild camping. If you can cope with that you will be okay elsewhere.
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[andrewfarmer]

That's great to hear. Thank you for the advice. We were thinking of a Scottish trial run and that confirms that it is a good idea!

It's interesting with the Deli as some people make out like they are continuously overheating and it's a problem you can't cure. Doesn't seem to always be the case which is very reassuring. My experience with the 4M40 motor in Pajeros was in Australia where they used to like blowing heads all the time!

[Lewis]

It's the same engine and head.
There are blown heads from overheating issues, no use denying it. They seem to mostly occur around the 1st or 4th cylinders. I have been the victim of one.
In my case all power was lost and I thought the engine had seized. However when the head was removed it turned out that it was purely down to the bolts having slightly stretched, due to being incorrectly tightened, which allowed the head to move just enough to lose pressure and allow coolant to go into the pistons.

I sent the head and gasket to a specialist, who advised the gasket was cheap crap and that the head had not split, but advised against reusing it.  I replaced it with an aftermarket one and his suggested gasket, with copper edged seals aound the coolant and oil ports. Once I did that then there were no further issues.
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[Deker]

andrewfarmer.

Not long after I bought my L400, the radiator plastic header came adrift (that was about 2009) Incidentally the engine did not overheat.
I could have repaired it, but I reckoned the Aluminium clips would give way again.

So, I bought a Copper & Brass radiator, been brilliant

This year, in the very hot summer weather, I drove The lake District, North Wales, where possible I chose to drive off the tourist routes,
and drove into the hilly mountain regions, my 2.8 engine kept cool  

Get a good Copper & brass rad, or iskillen (tigweld) Aluminium rad, you'll be okay.

Mr D

[andyman]

Removing the main a/c condenser would enable you to fit a thicker, higher capacity radiator by Tigweld/I. Skillen, although in theory, it should not be necessary. If you still have the original plastic coolant expansion reservoir, it would again be worth changing that for a Tigweld aluminium one. The originals are prone to splitting - the plastic ages and becomes brittle.
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[andrewfarmer]

Thanks guys. Shame I didn't check back sooner! I have replaced the rad with a unit from Milner Offroad as my old rad had some cracking in the top plastic that had been previously repaired. The Delica is currently in for work so we are removing the front A/C condenser for more airflow. As it is not working, there is no reason to keep it there blocking the flow. It sounds like we should be fine with a brand new rad and a good service as long as the van is running well overall.

We will make sure before we leave for our big trip to load the van up fully and do some big, long hills to check how she'll cope with the Alps etc. I'm reluctant to replace the radiator with an upgraded unit as we've just bought the new standard one.

[Lewis]

If the A/C is stuffed then remove as much as you can, Aluminium is currently fetching good prices at the scrapyards.  
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