Unexpected Air Conditioner Improvement

[OwnerCS]

The within the last 2 years, the Qs previous owner went to some expense to get a new expansion valve, seals, and whatever it took to convert the AC from R-12 to R134a. So until recently I forgot about driving a R-12 converted car in 101 temperatures at 95% humidity since I had a 92 Explorer. The AC on auto ran on four blades most of the time in the Q. Meanwhile I added sound deadening material to the doors and got an unexpected improvement in AC cooling capacity.

Since the sound deadening enhancement, I feel the AC doesn’t need to work as hard to cool down the car on a hot day. Then yesterday evening I had the car parked outside in the heat. The AMB reading was 102 when I got in the car – also the windows had been rolled up when it was in the sun. When I started driving I had the auto temp set on 71. I drove it for about 1.5 miles and the fan started to drop down to three blades – then once I was on the interstate dropped down to two. I could feel the AC bringing the car down to 71 and the temperate drop was welcome.

So I aim to apply the sound deadening material under the carpet and behind the back seat before I’m finished. I’m not looking add a sub-woofer or change the stock system- but to compensate for a Bose system that I would like to keep running for a while longer. I figured it was cheaper to deaden the car and try to live with the Bose than to replace it all –- and then I would be doing the sound deadening enhancement on an upgrade anyway. In addition, I had the window regulators out for lubrication, so I decided to take care of any door acoustical enhancements at the same time.

Since I didn’t expect any AC benefit to come from the sound deadening material, and I don’t have a way to measure the change before and after, I’m not going to tout this as a solution for everybody – well not until I finish installing it under the floor and back seat. But if I see another improvement in AC performance after the floor and back seat areas have been sound deadened, then that old R-12 AC running R134a will provide more than enough cooling capacity for life in this summertime sauna.

Here’s some links and info about the enhancement. Also, I’m not a fan of anything that can attract or retain moisture for an automobile application – so you won’t see me using a jute like or super foam material. Also, I tried to use a material that is lighter than jute or a high density foam where possible to keep the weight balanced and under control.

I’m not doing anything new or revolutionary – just a convergence of some approaches around the country. In keeping with Q tradition, you won't be able to detect any of this has been installed behind the stock door panels until you notice the car is way quiet and cool for its age.

Similar to the video below, I am using a multi-layered approach that is:

1) Elemental Designs eDead 45 like installation pics (also note sound deadener showdown link at bottom) +
2) V3 (like) spray inside the door cavity (not to interrupt any moisture flow out of the lower door vents) +
3) Roberts 3-in-1 Premium Floor Underlayment to cover over the door+
4) V4 TekLite – MLV to cover it all up +
5) The existing composite material door panel.

The additional sound deadening material added approximately 2.75 LBS to each door.
eDead 45
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_inf ... ucts_id=51

eDead v4 - TekLite
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_inf ... ucts_id=55


They have a TekLite installation video at the following link.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/elementalde ... nstall.php

Here's a guy's installation pictures from their site.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/userinstall.php?id=49

I’ve added another layer of the product below as the 3rd layer.

http://robertsconsolidated.com/products ... 0&prod=162

Sound Deadener Showdown Link for reference

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi

[Skibane]

Interesting - The doors would have been the last place I would have expected to see much improvement. The underside of the vehicle absorbs heat from the engine, transmission, exhaust system and road surface, and the roof gets the most direct exposure to sunlight - both of which should have caused more heat gain inside the vehicle than the doors.

[OwnerCS]

Interesting - The doors would have been the last place I would have expected to see much improvement. The underside of the vehicle absorbs heat from the engine, transmission, exhaust system and road surface, and the roof gets the most direct exposure to sunlight - both of which should have caused more heat gain inside the vehicle than the doors.

I agree and it took a couple of days to sink in that I wasn't uncomfortable and that something changed it. I can't wait to do the floor because, as you say, a lot of heat gain comes from underneath.

Because of the sun roof, I'm little skittish about doing anything behind the headliner.

Now that the doors are much quieter, I have noticed a slight amount of wind noise from the front doors just above the mirrors over 60 mph. I guess I'll need new door gaskets next -- the old ones look and feel soft though.

I want to get it finished before I declare a complete victory.

[Q451990]

Wurth sells a product you might try on your door gaskets. It swells the seals a little while conditioning them - but I can't figure out which product it is on their web site... www.wurthusa.com

Maybe someone else will chime in on the exact product...

Heath