A/C dripping from condensation?

[69hugger]

Originally Posted by dhutton

I think the VA controller uses a thermistor to monitor the evaporator temperature and turns on the heat when it gets close to freezing. Is your heater control valve working properly?

Don

Mine is a Gen 2. Maybe it isn't as advanced as the gen 4 systems?
I asked the tech at V/A about using heat as a method to control it & he said it wouldn't help, and would just counteract the A/C, making it less effective.
But, yes, my heat works fine.

Bill

[dontlifttoshift]

With the gen II units, freeze up is much more common. A compac is on the small side for that car.

There is a capillary tube in the top of the case and that is what controls the cold temp. If you are running the AC setting at max cold it will freeze up. If your cowl/firewall is not insulated the unit will sweat just like a cold can of soda would sitting in the cupholder.

Someone mentioned it before, don't dial back the fan speed, dial back the thermostat a touch. Stuff a thermometer in the dash vent and run the AC. Set the AC thermostat so that it runs about 38-40 degrees and it should not freeze up.

[hifi875]

^^^^ is correct. turn thermostat back just a tad. it wont freeze up but it will still sweat.

[FlameBroiled]

I just took my first real test drive in my customers 67 LS7 with VA, 45 min with the AC on low but maxed on the temp setting. And the same thing happened to its box, sweating like a fat guy standing still.....

So far I have had nothing but problems with the VA and this will be the last one I plan to install. Anyone else have problems with the fan speed switch going to high speed when turning it off?? I have VA on speed dial and have replaced most of the components. I am getting tired of tearing out the interior just to try the next suggested fix..... fan switch, Ecu, and heater valve... whats next?

[69hugger]

Originally Posted by FlameBroiled

I just took my first real test drive in my customers 67 LS7 with VA, 45 min with the AC on low but maxed on the temp setting. And the same thing happened to its box, sweating like a fat guy standing still.....

So far I have had nothing but problems with the VA and this will be the last one I plan to install. Anyone else have problems with the fan speed switch going to high speed when turning it off?? I have VA on speed dial and have replaced most of the components. I am getting tired of tearing out the interior just to try the next suggested fix..... fan switch, Ecu, and heater valve... whats next?

HEY!! Lay off us fat guys!




Bill

[69hugger]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

With the gen II units, freeze up is much more common. A compac is on the small side for that car.

There is a capillary tube in the top of the case and that is what controls the cold temp. If you are running the AC setting at max cold it will freeze up. If your cowl/firewall is not insulated the unit will sweat just like a cold can of soda would sitting in the cupholder.

Someone mentioned it before, don't dial back the fan speed, dial back the thermostat a touch. Stuff a thermometer in the dash vent and run the AC. Set the AC thermostat so that it runs about 38-40 degrees and it should not freeze up.

Thanks Donny. I will try your suggestions.


Bill

[rkleypas]

I have a 70 Chevelle convertible with a Gen 4 VA system. We did the Hot Rod Power tour and experienced the same thing. Water dripping all over the carpet from the ducts and the evap case sweating like crazy. VA told me the same thing about the soda can. I'm going to try wrapping the ducts with black foam tape from Home depot and place worm screw clamps on the evap case ducts. Doing this tomorrow, so I'll let you know. I dont want to have a moldy smelling car.

[GregWeld]

Gwen's Brizio built '33 Ford has a VA unit and was doing this exact same thing. On our first trip from San Francisco to LA - it was pouring water out from under the dash. Brizio found the unit to be holding water due to the case and faulty drip tube (the factory - not Brizio's installation) issue. They fixed this and the problem was solved.

Her car is a convertible - and we just drove the car from SF to Austin Texas.... with the A/C blowing the whole time... When it got really humid we had one or two drip from under the dash - but not the water that WAS coming from the unit as described above. I would say it was normal and only happened once. I then turned the temp knob down just a bit - and it didn't happen again - and the cabin stayed cool.

I've had other cars with Vintage Air systems for years - and have taken them on long trips and NEVER had this happen. I think there's something that has changed or gone wrong with their units "recently"...It was implied to me that this was the second or third unit recently with this same "defect" that had to be remedied.

Originally Posted by Rob@restomodair

69hugger,
Sorry you are having issues with your a/c system. You should be concerned; condensation dripping inside your interior is NOT normal. There are 3 reasons why this may have happen to you.

1. There is a crack or a hole in your evaporator. Water always follows the path of least resistance.
2. The hose connection to your evaporator is loose or not connected properly.

If neither of these are the case then you can message me and I will tell you the only thing left it could be.

[dhutton]

I sent the engineering manager of VA a PM with a link to this thread over on the other forum. Let's see if he replies.

Don

[rkleypas]

Greg,

What did they do to remedy the problem? I didn't get around to my proposed repair today and may want to hold off on my "engineering" until I find out how they fixed the problem. Thanks