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MG MGF Technical - Air con from one F to another!!

Dear BBS


I have seen this partly discussed before, and I have two disclaimers before I ask it.
i- I know its a big job, but it really is hot in HK.
ii-Yes I know Im mad....


Okay here it is


There is a garage that is breaking a mk1 F and it has an a/c unit. Undamaged.
Could it reasonably be transfered to my mk2 F without?
a-Major alteration/surgery to my car. Like cutting bits out...
b-taking an absurd amount of time.



Comments?

Thanks in advance again. I suspect I know the answer, but I still would be interested to understand the technicalities of it.
Paddy

Yes, it is perfectly do-able. It may even be made fractionally easier having the two cars side by side so you know where and how to route wires and ducts.

Time wise is difficult to predict - depends on the expertise of the people undertaking the job, but I guess it is a day's work at least?

Good news though is that it won't require any cutting of body work.

If you can, will you take pictures of the process for others who may be considering this kind of conversion?
Rob Bell

It may be worth spending a couple of hours looking at Dieter's excellent IPC. Beyond the AC, I recollect that there are some coolant pipes to refit/replace and the alternator mounting !!
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

It should be an easy fit but beware of seals that will need to be replaced. Time wise I would think a day to remove plus a day to refit. Good luck but in a humid climate the A/C will be a boon and will make driving so much nicer.
Andrew Regens

Im fairly serious at giving it a go. My main concern is exactly how experienced the garage are. MGF's are not that common out this way, but at least I know that they patched up another F using parts from this donor, so they cant be total cowboys. That F looks top notch! :0

Rob- Sure I will try and get photos done and put them up so people can view, but this probably wont be for at least a month or so.


Does the a/c button fit straight into the mk2 dash? Is there any mk1->mk2 conversion issues for the a/c?
Paddy

I think the button is different as are all the switchs from the Mk 1 to Mk 2 BUT they operate in the same manor so only cosmetic. You could get a new switch from the UK by return post.
Andrew Regens

Just received the new MGE. B&G are reported to have two new A/C Kits with fitting Instructions at £763.75.
Geoff F.
PS. Perhaps just a copy of the Instructions may help you.
G. Farthing

Spotted that too - and perhaps B&G would be accomodating?

Paddy - no worries about the time it takes - if you'd like to email me the pictures I'd gladly host them (email robert dot m dot bell at kcl dot ac dot uk) - or pop them on one of those free picture hosting sites :o)

Tha a/c swap ought to be pretty straightforward - as I mentioned before, having access to the donor car really makes the whole task that much easier :o)

The Mk1 to Mk2 console switch will represent a compatibility problem: the loom connector will not fit your Mk2 switch.

The part numbers for the Mk2 switches can be found on this page: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/interior/centre_console/index.htm

You should be able to cut off the loom ends from the Mk1 aircon loom and perhaps replace them with small Lucar connectors to connect directly to the rear of the new switch... in any case, this ought to be reasonably straightforward to sort out :o)
Rob Bell

I have to say im now thinking about these B&G kits.

If you think about it, I could get a new system, with no compatibility problems, for the same price as the second hand kit fitted! (ish)


hmmm.....what to do?
Paddy

Go for the one that will fit without modification iof the costs are the same. If there is a good saving to be had then s/hand.
Andrew Regens

Paddy - worth checking with B&G as to which car these air con systems were originally intended for.

I haven't checked the quoted part number, but this could refer to the dealer retro-fit kit for a Mk1 MGF (i.e. the same kit as you are looking to transfer from your second hand source).

Also bear in mind that there are at least three versions of MGF/TF electrical system; the last of the line TF was radically different from the earlier cars - so again, this is worth checking with B&G before ordering.

There are advantages for going for the B&G kit of course - the seals etc should be intact, assuming that the unit has been stored correctly - so from that point of view is well worth considering. It could prove the most hastle-free approach.

A tricky choice approaching, but I wouldn't rule out that second-hand air con system just yet...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2006 and 12/10/2006

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