Left vent at 79F outside temp
Would like other Jaguar models to tell me what temperature differential you can maintain in the cabin from the outside ambient air temperature, I can only maintain 40 degrees with 1971 XJ even though the compressor is a modern Sanden unit, the condenser is maximum sized of modern design, new R134 rated expansion valve and no find-able other problems. Car is properly charged with R134 and no leaks are detected.

If it is 83F outside, can you obtain lower than 43F in the vents????

 

No, I doubt I could do even that. If it is up near 90 degrees outside I have to drive the much newer Vanden Plas to be comfortable. I even have an electro-pneumatic switch so I can completely close off the hot water supply. I have a Chevrolet compressor and condenser but the original evaporator and flap system in the car. In my opinion, the problem is an undersized evaporator for hot humid weather. I was reading with interest the post about adding a Vintage Air unit in the dash.

Jeff

 

Installing the Vintage Air AC Compac unit will be done if the measurements for other S1 XJs are the same as mine.The later model AC units seem to work
well, it is just the first attempt for Jaguar that fails...

 

Does 40 not keep the car cool? Doing the VA system is a lot of work for 5 or 6 degrees...

 

40 degrees inside versus outside differential.. with temps over 114F this summer, that makes the cabin 74F+...barely tolerable in a BRG car with Black interior... the R&R of all the old Jaguar AC stuff I have done before.. the cutting to make the needed room is easy... installing the new stuff inside is straight forward. The cost is about $1000.00, which when you consider that the comfort I should obtain in the years to come ((how many I have left???) is worth it to me...and the next owner of the car. No the reply above from Yellow Series 3 about his cooling.

I do not like to have to switch vehicles to be comfortable...

 

Roger, you made me smile with your comment about 'how many years left'. Not so much how many years total but the fact that each year there are things I just can't do any more. I think I am beyond the point where I would attempt installing VA system. If you are still able to do that type of project get it done now before father time drags you down.

 

Aha! Now I know what "Senior Member" means under my Yachtmanbuttson name!

 

Yes, time marches on, I am almost 75 and can still do that type of work... But I know how much is involved since I have had the heater matrix out and the evaporator out twice already in the past. It is a BIG job to take it all out.

Doing the new AC install will be more fun than just putting the same old stuff back in place.

 

Boy, does that hit home!!!

Yes,, at 75 I was doing stuff like that. Later this month, I'll see 89, at least I aspire to it!
Do an engine swap, or even a starter swap, no, not likely.

And, it does not seem that I'll get the AC in my Jaguar on line. Close, but yet so far...

I did try the Jeep AC on errands. It was OK. Probably needs an infusion of R134.
Carl

 

A small thing that seems to have helped my 87 -- going to a newer plastic/aluminum radiator, and having the condenser fan wired to come on immediately with the compressor rather than when the head pressure and/or condenser temp reaches a certain threshold. The radiator change removed some heat-soaking issues from the front of the car, while the fan mod keeps the condenser happy.

My A/C is still borderline but better than it was.

Jess

 

Jess - which radiator did you use?

 

This one, there weren't many left last time I looked:

https://www.ebay.com/i/291825721708?chn=ps

 

Ian

This is what the evaporator looks like inside and the place it lives in the car...

 

The view is from the rear of the evaporator, showing the coils.

Photos are not uploading today???