DIY: A/C Insulation for even colder air!

[Geo]

Found this over at MO.comhttp://www.matrixowners.com/modules.php?name=F ... start=0Zip ties + foam insulatin = colder AC!I'm curious as to how this differs from the Vibe mod from before - in which we just would move the metal wire a little bit to make the AC colder. This just gives me more chances to add red into my engine, so I think I might check it out (mmm red zip-ties...)

[joatmon]

quote:I'm curious as to how this differs from the Vibe mod from before - in which we just would move the metal wire a little bit to make the AC colder. This mod involves insulating the AC refrigerant line inside the engine compartment. Without getting into the refrigeration cycle, the compressed line coming out of the compressor gets cold. Insulating these lines helps reduce the amount of heating from being inthe engine compartment, so the refrigerant is colder when it gets to the part that cools the air going into the car than it would be if uninsulated.The previous described mod is for adjusting a control cable. This control cable controls the position of a flap inside the air system. The flap controls how much air is passed through the heater core, which gets hot from having engine coolant flowing through it. If the flap is not adjusted properly, then even though you have it set to all the way cold, some air is still being passed through the heater core, which heats the air and makes your AC feel broke. After adjusting it, then you completely cut off airflow through the heater core, so you don;t have the heat and cold fighting.I haven't tried the insulating mod yet, but it should (theoretically) help, but in a different way than the cable adjustment.

[pwarren4]

I would REALLY like to see some pictures of the cable mod. Or at least a decription of where this cable is and how to adjust it.

[geezer]

Here ya go.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1315

[pwarren4]

Thanks - I'm gonna check this out this afternoon.BTW - I did do a search for this type of thread and came up empty.

[MrMke]

So I installed the foam insulation on my A/C intake line and it seems to be a little colder, though not a whole lot but considering the low cost of doing this, it's worth it.

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[ragingfish]

Is that stuff safe for use in high-temperature environments?

[Geo]

quote:That is what I am thinking, it might be able to catch on fire. As long as you use the right stuff (read the thread over a MO.com) this stuff is fire-resistant and should be ok.

[MrMke]

It was stated right on the label that it was rated 25/50 in accordance with ASTM E 84 Method.I feel confident using the foam insulation having witnessed this test method in the past.

[ragingfish]

quote:It was stated right on the label that it was rated 25/50 in accordance with ASTM E 84 Method.I feel confident using the foam insulation having witnessed this test method in the past.English man, english!!!

[MrMke]

In plain english.......it's pretty much non-combustable.

[joatmon]

Hopefully the refrigerant line isn't run so that it's subjected to high enough temperatures to melt or ignite the insulation. If it is, then that would be a bad design flaw that the manufacturer should address, either by providing adequate insulation or rerouting the line, because the refrigerant line shouldn't be that close to such a heat source.

[zionzr2]

this will be my next mod...Need to get some pics up of my newest mod (carpet in the cargo). Thanks again for the template Scherry2

[binary]

Bump that! Me too - I got some of this foam left over from when I did the copper pipes in my basement. Highly recommended if you got a 2nd floor bathroom

[KaosStarr]

Anyone of them that did it years ago ever come across a problem since I can see this is from 2003. Cuz if it really does work I may look into doing this also

[zionzr2]

Well just finished this mod will take and post pics in the morning. It got too dark by the time i finished.not the cleanest job in the world but then the hood is usually closed so who cares. I also did my wifes cavalier while i was at it.

[zionzr2]

I have extra insulation if anyone wants to come and get it.

[DavidPIL]

I did the same thing a few months ago along with putting a thinner metalic faced foam tape underneath. I also covered the, I guess it's the return pipes(?) with the foam tape. It's all holding well. I then also used what recharging stuff I had left from a few years back. The gauge showed the pressure was low but not too low. Recharged it and now I'm very happy with the coolness. Dave

[northvibe]

zionzr2 - have you noticed it any colder?I think i might do this, this weekend.

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »zionzr2 - have you noticed it any colder?I think i might do this, this weekend.i have a temp probe in my vent which the b4 the mod. norm a/c would get around 55F and with the recirc around 45.after the mod i'm getting 45 norm and right at 40 w/ the recirc...The most notible improvent was in the time to get cold is much faster!!Less than 1-2 miles and its upto full cold at the vent. Before it would be several at least 5-7 miles.I will be monitoring the stats as time goes on..

[northvibe]

Dang thats pretty good, i will deff. do this, THNX!

[jeffgtx]

i bought me some incombustable foam yesterday for a weekend project thanks for this post!

[ColonelPanic]

Wow! That's a helluva difference! I really think I need to try this one out for sure...I put one of those digital indoor/outdoor car thermomenters in the little storage bin to the left of the wheel and snaked the sensor for the "outdoor" temp down into the vent so I can keep an eye on the temps inside the car and what is coming out of the vents. The thing has a min/max memory, and the lowest I've been able to get was 47 with the A/C cranked all the way up and the recirc on. It's in the 50's when the recirc is off...This sounds like a good, inexpensive project to try. I've always thought the A/C in this car sucks, so this may be very helpful. As long as nothing catches fire. lol!

[Pick]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »Dang thats pretty good, i will deff. do this, THNX! Me 2

[zionzr2]

i used 1/2" on the silver part of the tube and 3/4" on the black portion.... there is a small gap on mine that the 3/4" stuff did not cover.However a 7/8" or 1" would do a better job of covering the black portion of the tube!I only coverd the Low side of the system. from firewall to the compresor. on a side note right at the firewall there was a black plastic clamp like thingy around both the high line and low line anyone know what these are?

[binary]

I did this mod just prior to a road trip up north... even in the heat on the highway - I could feel the difference. W/o tinted windows the cabin still got warm, but the A/C seemed to be able to keep up better.I highly recommend this mod.one stick of foam on the silver pipe, about $0.75Dell zip ties (x8) - Free*Colder A/C - priceless.*(Dell's server racking kits come with an insane number of zip ties for cable management... had a few bags laying around)I have a few of these foam pipe wraps left over - anyone near me is welcome to them. I may be able to scrounge up some zip ties from dell too

[northvibe]

yea after this mod i can notice the A/C get colder faster and the air is colder. when i borrow my friends camera ill snap some pics

[Man of Steel]

What kind of foam did you use to do this and where do you buy it??

[Man of Steel]

What kind of foam did you buy and where did you buy it?

[northvibe]

I went to menards and got some pipe insulatation for the home it was black sorta and i got 1 inch and 1/2 inch bag with some zip ties. works good. cost me what 5 bucks total.

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I went to menards and got some pipe insulatation for the home it was black sorta and i got 1 inch and 1/2 inch bag with some zip ties. works good. cost me what 5 bucks total.same here

[Raivis]

i would like some photos of the foam mod, where to get the fowm, what kind of foam it is. and i would like more info on the cable modneed colder a/c

[Raivis]

anyone know where to get the foam

[GMJAP]

Quote, originally posted by Raivis »anyone know where to get the foamAny hardware store should have it in the plumbing section.

[northvibe]

on page 1 there was some pics already posted. I went to menards and got pipe insulating foam that was incombustable at 1inch and 1/2inch sizes and then black zip ties.

[Raivis]

thanx for the info i think ill do it to my vibe and my wifes car thanks again yall

[northvibe]

Here are my pics of it installed in my engine bay.

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[northvibe]

near firewall

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[northvibe]

last one, pic of it in the middle

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[98cl]

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »i have a temp probe in my vent which the b4 the mod. norm a/c would get around 55F and with the recirc around 45.after the mod i'm getting 45 norm and right at 40 w/ the recirc...The most notible improvent was in the time to get cold is much faster!!Less than 1-2 miles and its upto full cold at the vent. Before it would be several at least 5-7 miles.I will be monitoring the stats as time goes on..Simple and elegant! Reading the matrix owners thread, Peapaw said how he talked to several hvac techs including toyo dealer techs who said 2 things. 1) it would do no good. 2) the returning freon could be TOO cold coming back to the compressor, not vaporize and cause a liquid freon compressor vaporlock and seizure.With your temp probe technique, while not under controlled conditions, I think put the lie to part 1 and if that uninsulated pipe is needed to keep liquid freon from reaching the compressor, what happens when you put the defroster on and it's -20*? At highway speeds the underhood temps would never reach a temp high enough to boil off the freon in cold weather with the defroster on.Even if you are only keeping the freon from picking up a fraction of a BTU, that adds up quickly as the engine compartment heats up, especially if traveling far in FL.I'll do the mod and post the outcomes eventually. I was thinking of doing it before I saw thread, but was concerned about fire issue...

[Digger]

I got the same result by rapping only the silver tubeing. I left the rubber portions unrapped

[GMJAP]

I added the insulation to the AC line on my & the parent's Vibes this past weekend, getting ready for the summer heat wave. I also adjusted the heater doors per this TSB (http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1315)Definitely made an improvement! The air was noticably colder, and the parents said they had to crank up the temp setting a few times it was so cold. Some additional threads on the insulation stuff, for reference:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... d?id=11127

[vibe-04]

Just did mine but used fire retardant silver foam tape (5.99 Canadian Tire). It was sticky one side but I used tie-wraps to secure. I then used duct tape (the silver good stuff) to clean it up and further insulate.Result: a noticable decrease in temperature and time to cold. Cheap, effective and low investment of time.

[northvibe]

hey that looks good! i have zip ties showing on mine

[binary]

Wow, yeah the silver looks like would be a perfect reflector of heat...Hrmm... I may revist my mod now.

[J-freakie]

I was about to say, wouldnt using pipe insulation could cause a fire due to the heat of the engine. They dont even use that stuff on hot water pipes. There has to be a better way to get it colder than cover it up with a bunch foil and duct tape.dan

[northvibe]

The pipe insulation used is fire retardant, up to some crazy high temp. so there is no worry about that.

[J-freakie]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »The pipe insulation used is fire retardant, up to some crazy high temp. so there is no worry about that.Good point, lolAnd, I supose for car shows and stuff, you could always take it off ... and it STILL should be all nice and shiny dan

[northvibe]

This has to be the best, cheapest mod for this car...so good pontiac/toyota should mod it at the factory for us Cold air saves lives!

[redlava]

Are we talking about the standard Polyethylene Pipe insulation that you get a Lowes or where ever. Or is this something better. I read the poly protects up to 180 to 200 degrees F. And with the whole fire issue, I just want to make sure I bought the right stuff. This was the only stuff I saw at Lowes so...