climate control air intake point

[black olive]

No wonder our climate control never gives really cold air on LO.

think about it, the nearside plenum, where the pollen filter is has a cover over it, so the air has to come in via the grille on the offside plenum cover, and traverse the entire length of the plenum, which is necked down in the middle, unlike the lesser models, and heated very effectively at the front by a ****** great V8 engine, and from underneath by hot airflow under the car !!!

I wonder if some strategically placed holes in the nearside plenum cover would enable cooler air to be sucked in at the nearside, without danger of the pollen filter getting soaked- or remove the cover altogether - any thoughts guys ???

[Zeb]

Originally Posted by black olive

No wonder our climate control never gives really cold air on LO.

think about it, the nearside plenum, where the pollen filter is has a cover over it, so the air has to come in via the grille on the offside plenum cover, and traverse the entire length of the plenum, which is necked down in the middle, unlike the lesser models, and heated very effectively at the front by a ****** great V8 engine, and from underneath by hot airflow under the car !!!

I wonder if some strategically placed holes in the nearside plenum cover would enable cooler air to be sucked in at the nearside, without danger of the pollen filter getting soaked- or remove the cover altogether - any thoughts guys ???

Good point...maybe even remove the inner cover altogether?

[James.uk]

Removing the inner cover would allow water directly onto the top of the ECU during car washes, or even heavy rain.. But maybe if you sealed the ECU in a plastic bag? that would work.
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[Zeb]

Originally Posted by James.uk

Removing the inner cover would allow water directly onto the top of the ECU during car washes, or even heavy rain.. But maybe if you sealed the ECU in a plastic bag? that would work.
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The ECU in the V8 isn't located in the plenums...it is inside the car...

Mind you, the pollen filter might need waterproofing...

[Stu C]

Could always fit a snorkel like on a Land Rover, tube direct to the outside of the car

[black olive]

Mind you, the pollen filter might need waterproofing...

but would it though- the grille area isnt that large and the plenum is tucked away behind the bonnet. may give it a try and just pop the cover off after a run in the rain.

[T-Cut]

I don't have a V8, but it operates on the same principle as the rest. In my opinion, perforating or even removing the water shield will not radically improve air flow through the pollen filter. The function of the plenum is to create a high pressure zone. This is achieved through the ram effect as the car travels forward. Air hitting the scuttle area is forced downwards through the grills and into the plenum, so increasing the overall pressure (below as well as above the water shield). This creates the driving force (in addition to any 'suction' caused by the internal heater fan). By all means do the experiment, but I reckon that retaining the integrity of the shield outweighs the idea.

The poor performance of the climate control is more likely related to the condition of the A/C refrigerant/cooling fan/etc.

TC

[Scarlet Fever]

Originally Posted by T-Cut

The poor performance of the climate control is more likely related to the condition of the A/C refrigerant/cooling fan/etc.

In the V8, poor climate control performance is usually down to the 3-way mixer valve (oddly enough, also located in this area) - due to the size of the engine & it's location relative to the bulkhead the V8 variant does not have the air blend climate control system the other R75/ZTs has, rather it uses a cruder, water blend system that, when set up well, is normally OK, but many cars suffer from poor quality 3-way valves or valves that aren't set up correctly so that either the climate control system gets hot, but not cold, or cold, but not hot.

Black Olive has come up with a reliable replacement valve to solve this issue and i suspect that, because he has done so much work on this and in this plenum area, he has looked at improving other parts of the system and thus this thread.