What value in working AirCon

[MrBlueSky]

Got the Vee at SG for belts, clutch etc and having a dilemma over the AC. Not been working for about 5 yrs and only really missed it in about 3 or 4 days in total as live in Scotland. What are your thoughts. Should I spend aprox £500 to get it working and keep the car in top condition or use that cash for other bits that improve the drive. No plans to sell in near future so not worried about perceived sales value.
Answers on a postcard. Ta.

 

[Kett]

I think you make a valid point...

The trouble with ageing cars is that all sorts of components will eventually fail. In some respects, managing those that do (at any given time) spreads the maintenance costs.

 

[jps]

I still find it amazing just how HOT it can get in the Vee with all that heat coming from the back. However, I rarely use the air con and just have both windows down. It's really a personal choice. I can't say I use my air con much in either of my cars, but saying that, it is a life saver on those really hot days - but as the Vee is not a daily, I don't think it's a must?

 

[Jamesv6]

I don't recall using the air con much. Got it all fixed only becuase the pump was noisy and embarrassing.

Found the car got hotter inside when the windows were opened.

 

[Noyzboy]

If I was looking a top line car, AC not working would make me walk away.
First because I really want it , and secondly, the lack of it suggest to me that other necessary repairs might have been avoided or skimped.

Get it done

 

[GPH]

Can't believe you manage without it! I know Scotland is about 5 degrees colder than down south but I have mine set at 18 degs and the ac pump is normally on to get down to that temp during the summer months. only on night drives is it off. James is right in that opening the windows drags in hot engine air and smells at slow speeds. As Kett says getting stuff fixed regularly stops it mounting up. Not doing that is why cars for sale often have a sneaky list of things that need doing because owners let them mount up then get dispirited and so sell.

 

[rustedandrotten]

Mine works but very rarely use it! Peterhead is called the 'Bloo Toon' for a very good reason :rofl: :rofl:

 

[Duncan]

I always drove mine with the AC on, summer or winter, stopped it developing any eggy smells.

Id say its worth doing, but you do need to keep using it to stop it from deteriorating again. So not much point if your never going to use it!

There was a school of thought that having the ac on helped with temperatures in the engine bay and helped increase the power output (despite the drain of the pump) on a spirited drive.

Also I found if the car was reluctant to select first or reverse, putting the AC on seemed to solve the problem :rofl: no idea why, but it did seem to work.

 

[Jamesv6]

Lifted revs up

 

[Sunbeam Lotus]

When I'm enjoying my Vee, the air con is on all the time. In my other cars, I tend to rush between towns with windows closed and open them as soon as I pass the 30mph signs. Do that with the Vee and the hot air and smell pervade instantly. It is a frustration at times not to be able to have the windows open as frequently as in the other cars but, for me, is the best solution.

I've also been told on many occasions that if you have a car with air con, you ought to use it regularly to stop seals and rubbers drying out and causing issues.

 

[SJ]

Some good points, especially agree with Noyzboy.
Besides I never ever drive our Citroen c1, except when it needs to attend the garage for repair/service. I've just had air con serviced (re gassed), so if I can do that you should be able to treat Clio (ok poor comparison as only cost £29) but kept my good lady happy on the 2 days she needed it. That's £29 for re gas not the car although I fear it's a close run thing.

 

[MrBlueSky]

Thanks for the comments guys. Seems to be a general feel that should keep it operational if can. Guess should expect that on forum dedicated to maintaining Vees. Appreciate Noyzboy comments about if looking for a top notch car but that is really the crux of my point. When is a good time to make the decision that a car does not need to be top notch for it to be fun reliable and well enough maintained not to make you dispirited and just sell up like GPH suggests happens.
I have a few stone chips on the front and the melted steering wheel to name a few things that drag it down a bit from top notch but do not distract from the fun. More likely to get dispirited by throwing excessive cash at it. Decision time!

 

[SJ]

I think or would hope most enthusiasts would know that the paint on the front is soft and very prone to stone chips especially on vertical surfaces and also the steering wheel issue. Some may argue this patina is genuine.
Neglect or not repairing a fault is an altogether different issue, I'm not suggesting that's what you doing just how a future potential customer may view if they research cars history on here.
Your car will be fabulous whether you repair air con and I wouldn't get hung up on stone chips and melting.

 

[Big Iain]

Seems to be another common failure on these cars, I had to replace the condenser and most of the pipework. Glad I done it as it's so much nicer now after having none for a couple of years.

 

[roma]

You start having that fixed now David ,You aint ever going to see that car again !!!!!! lol [smilie=yay.gif]