86 hvac - recirculation question - how is it activated?
10-02-2015, 10:08 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
86 hvac - recirculation question - how is it activated?
I've been pulling my console apart lately (again) and sorting some HVAC vacuum leaks as i diagnose them.
I've got a fairly large leak in my blue line from the solenoid bank, i.e I suspect the recirc actuator under the blower has a leak in the rubber bladder.
Now, i know that's a fairly hard one to get to from reading previous posts, but I'm still not sure what it does or how it's activated on my MY. There doesn't seem to be anything on the control unit that lets me activate it knowingly......i'm trying to pull together a cost/benefit analysis of chasing it and pulling the blower out to get at the actuator.
At this stage, not seeing it's value, I'm thinking I might just plug the line and stop the leak, but can anyone tell me what i might be missing if i do that?
Dan
I've got a fairly large leak in my blue line from the solenoid bank, i.e I suspect the recirc actuator under the blower has a leak in the rubber bladder.
Now, i know that's a fairly hard one to get to from reading previous posts, but I'm still not sure what it does or how it's activated on my MY. There doesn't seem to be anything on the control unit that lets me activate it knowingly......i'm trying to pull together a cost/benefit analysis of chasing it and pulling the blower out to get at the actuator.
At this stage, not seeing it's value, I'm thinking I might just plug the line and stop the leak, but can anyone tell me what i might be missing if i do that?
Dan
10-02-2015, 10:52 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
The recirc flap is activated during air conditioning so that the car cools down faster. When I push the A/C button on my '86, I hear a 'thud' coming from the passenger footwell.
Before I fixed the recirc flap actuator, my A/C never felt that effective. I don't know how hot it gets in Sydney but if it doesn't you may be ok just plugging the line.
However, by removing the recirculation flap box it is a great opportunity to do a lot of preventative maintenance. It is not that hard, and you address a lot of things at once.
- change the blower motor with one of Roger's new ones for better airflow.
- clean out the twigs, leaves, crud that is sitting on the evaporator- a very satisfying job (plus, it makes your cabin air smell great)
- change the HVAC resistor pack (my 86 had "magic blower" syndrome.)
- Reseal the recirculation flap box with 3M Strip Calk, which protects the CE panel from water that can leak in during rain (my CE panel had some green corrosion on it which obviously was from some leaking rainwater.)
Good luck!
Before I fixed the recirc flap actuator, my A/C never felt that effective. I don't know how hot it gets in Sydney but if it doesn't you may be ok just plugging the line.
However, by removing the recirculation flap box it is a great opportunity to do a lot of preventative maintenance. It is not that hard, and you address a lot of things at once.
- change the blower motor with one of Roger's new ones for better airflow.
- clean out the twigs, leaves, crud that is sitting on the evaporator- a very satisfying job (plus, it makes your cabin air smell great)
- change the HVAC resistor pack (my 86 had "magic blower" syndrome.)
- Reseal the recirculation flap box with 3M Strip Calk, which protects the CE panel from water that can leak in during rain (my CE panel had some green corrosion on it which obviously was from some leaking rainwater.)
Good luck!
10-02-2015, 11:19 AM
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks Scott.
You've solved the mystery for me.
It's gets fuggen warm in Sydney (it's only spring and we've got 30 centigrade/86 F temps forecast in a couple of days).
The reason i started ripping into the console again was to prepare for summer. My heater valve wouldn't close (too many accumulated vac leaks) and my A/C only works for a few days before it bleeds the gas and stops working.
First step is to get the heater valve to shut.
Second is to get the A/C leak fixed (i think i know where it is)
Third is to get the collapsed motor mounts replaced to stop the heat coming up thru the gaps in the TT/gear stick.
thanks for the info mate
You've solved the mystery for me.
It's gets fuggen warm in Sydney (it's only spring and we've got 30 centigrade/86 F temps forecast in a couple of days).
The reason i started ripping into the console again was to prepare for summer. My heater valve wouldn't close (too many accumulated vac leaks) and my A/C only works for a few days before it bleeds the gas and stops working.
First step is to get the heater valve to shut.
Second is to get the A/C leak fixed (i think i know where it is)
Third is to get the collapsed motor mounts replaced to stop the heat coming up thru the gaps in the TT/gear stick.
thanks for the info mate