VT Air Conditioning

[phillipg]

Hi, sorry have only just signed up today, great web site. Have been told about this site by a friend, its great.. I was wondering if someone could help me with a problem I have with my VT air con. I had it regassed approx 2 months ago but was told that the heater tap was staying open so it was constantly blowing hot air, now I think the gas has run out. I am going to get it regassed but I was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with the heater tap. I am sure the tap is ok but I have been told there is a valve or something similar in behind the dash that does fail. I was wondering if there is a way to bypass this or can anyone give me advice on removing the dash, I have been told its a 6 hour job, any suggestions would be much appreciated. I dont feel like paying Holden $85.00 an hour for they tell me min of 2 days to fix. Your help or suggestions with the air con problem would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[2inch]

The aircon in my vt wagon has always struggled, I think I may have the same problem with the heater tap. Maybe a Gregory's service book or similar is worth looking at. A six hour job for a Holden mechanic might be ten hours for us though.
Justin

[VooDoo]

or 3 hrs :stick:

Gas doesn't "run out" it leaks from somewhere. get it checked by an expert and find the leak.

[clixanup]

I had it regassed approx 2 months ago but was told that the heater tap was staying open so it was constantly blowing hot air, now I think the gas has run out. I am going to get it regassed but I was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with the heater tap.

If you got it gassed 2 months ago, getting it regassed could be a waste. It takes years for the gas to break down to the point where it no longer cools the car. Unless the people who gassed it for you didn't do it properly, the gas itself should still be OK.

I'd start by disconnecting the heater hoses and capping the hose 'nipples' on the water pump first. This will tell you if the heater is at fault.


I am sure the tap is ok but I have been told there is a valve or something similar in behind the dash that does fail. I was wondering if there is a way to bypass this or can anyone give me advice on removing the dash, I have been told its a 6 hour job, any suggestions would be much appreciated. I dont feel like paying Holden $85.00 an hour for they tell me min of 2 days to fix. Your help or suggestions with the air con problem would be much appreciated. Thanks.

You can get a Haynes or Gregory's manual for VTs now. They are a pretty good resource for this sort of thing. You can pick one up for much less than the price of one hour's Holden labour...

[Roddy]

Heater tap thing I've seen a few times. As for gas, sounds like you've got a leak. They'll regass and put a dye in it to check from whence the leakage is exuding. :)

[phillipg]

Thanks for all your help will try what you have suggested

[IIV8II]

Heater tap thing I've seen a few times. As for gas, sounds like you've got a leak. They'll regass and put a dye in it to check from whence the leakage is exuding. :)

A little dribble of water (or a blob of spit!) on the two valves does a similar job... Helped me track down my leaks two weeks ago... Fixed now!

[VooDoo]

Soapy water is best. look for bubbles

[moose]

hi guys, never posted a reply before, but since your problem is so very easy to check, thought I may as well have a go. The heater tap is actuated by vacuum, and is located down under the brake booster (assuming it's a v6 or ls1).
If you look carefully (torch!), you should be able to see the lever connecting the vacuum actuator to the valve. Get someone to turn the heater full cold for a few seconds, then full hot. the arm should move full in, or full out accordingly. Note: they only shut off at full cold, and apart from that the heater tap will be open.
If there is no movement, check for a vacuum leak (maybe the lines from the motor to the vac. pod behind the glove box as a starter, however there are a few vac. lines in these cars).
If there is movement, then as stated, you may have a refrigrant problem.

hope this helps :)

[phillipg]

Thanks for that Moose, yes its a V6, and yes thats a big help,

[vh-holden]

would that be the same for a vs. i found the tap thingy and there is no movement.

[vh-holden]

any way of jamming the tap closed for the foreseeable future.

[NICO]

Yes the VS is the same but it's in the drivers side foot well under the dash, I had a similar problem only a cog had slipped slipped down the shaft (non climate control model), so when i adjusted the heat tap nothing happened.