Resources

Robert But-Husaim · 9th Aug 2002, 08:56 PM

anyone out there got a spare air-con set up suitable for a DS?

Paul Smith · 9th Aug 2002, 10:28 PM

Hi Robert,

Give Denton at European Autocare a ring - he is making up a new system to fit Ds. It is a 3/4 width interior unit, with the condenser in front of the radiator, not the two little units hung out each side. He reckons it will be more efficient then the originals, with modern materials. I have seen the prototype and it looked pretty good.

The problem with most of the old units is that if they are the italian Autoclima, full width unit, like I have in my car, they are made of a grade of plastic that is only marginally better than BX dash material, and about ten years older! They have almost all cracked up, or if you try to remove them from a car will do so in the process.

The little condensers hung under the lights are clever, but get dirty, and are really pretty small, and only just up to the task of cooling an already hot car.

If you can get hold of a 70s floor type unit from a yank tank, they can sometimes be modified to work, and the space between the front seats is pretty wasted anyway.

I would recommend that whatever you do you put in a modern rotary compressor, as big as you can manage - and be careful with the mountings - I had nasty problems with a cracked water pump on my car after they mounted the new compressor wrong.

I have seriously looked at some sort of roof unit from a Toyota Tarago or similar to fit inside the roof of a Safari - there is no shortage of headroom, and it could be an option.

I know that Denton has a few spare old units if you want to put a second hand one in - I would only do it if I had some one who could test the bits and set them up properly.

Paul

Robert But-Husaim · 11th Aug 2002, 10:10 PM

Hey Paul,
thanks for that - I'll follow up Denton.
I had a DS21 Pallas back in the mid 80's that had a floor mounted unit that worked OK. It had no belt when I bought the car and I remember doing a water pump soon after getting it going again. You can get water pumps fitted with a stronger shaft for use with A/C's cant you?

9th Aug 2002, 08:56 PM	#1
Robert But-Husaim Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Adelaide Member#: 770 Posts: 67	wanted - air con for Citroen DS anyone out there got a spare air-con set up suitable for a DS?

9th Aug 2002, 10:28 PM	#2
Paul Smith Fellow Frogger! Join Date: May 2000 Location: Camperdown, NSW, Australia Member#: 11 Posts: 1,675	Hi Robert, Give Denton at European Autocare a ring - he is making up a new system to fit Ds. It is a 3/4 width interior unit, with the condenser in front of the radiator, not the two little units hung out each side. He reckons it will be more efficient then the originals, with modern materials. I have seen the prototype and it looked pretty good. The problem with most of the old units is that if they are the italian Autoclima, full width unit, like I have in my car, they are made of a grade of plastic that is only marginally better than BX dash material, and about ten years older! They have almost all cracked up, or if you try to remove them from a car will do so in the process. The little condensers hung under the lights are clever, but get dirty, and are really pretty small, and only just up to the task of cooling an already hot car. If you can get hold of a 70s floor type unit from a yank tank, they can sometimes be modified to work, and the space between the front seats is pretty wasted anyway. I would recommend that whatever you do you put in a modern rotary compressor, as big as you can manage - and be careful with the mountings - I had nasty problems with a cracked water pump on my car after they mounted the new compressor wrong. I have seriously looked at some sort of roof unit from a Toyota Tarago or similar to fit inside the roof of a Safari - there is no shortage of headroom, and it could be an option. I know that Denton has a few spare old units if you want to put a second hand one in - I would only do it if I had some one who could test the bits and set them up properly. Paul __________________ Paul Smith Editor CCCNSW Magazine 1974 DS23 EFI BW Auto 1978 GS Club 1220 Break

Resources

Information

Upcoming Events

French Car Clubs

Multimedia

Tools

Galleries

Archive Galleries

Road Tests

Frog World

Forums

Froggy Links

Frog Headquaters

Frog Stickers

Community

Messages

Message Folders

Members

Dashboard

Control Panel

Forum Search

11th Aug 2002, 10:10 PM	#3
Robert But-Husaim Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Adelaide Member#: 770 Posts: 67	Hey Paul, thanks for that - I'll follow up Denton. I had a DS21 Pallas back in the mid 80's that had a floor mounted unit that worked OK. It had no belt when I bought the car and I remember doing a water pump soon after getting it going again. You can get water pumps fitted with a stronger shaft for use with A/C's cant you?