Renault in Australia

[marcelb]

HELP !............WANTED TO BUY...(swap/trade,whatever?)

An older-style' UNDER-DASH Air-Conditioning Unit & any ancilliaries to TRY(?) to CREATE an air-conditioning system for a RENAULT 12.
(STOP Sniggering!)

This has & CAN be done & as I'm getting rid of all my R20s/parts, I must "CHILL" a 12! 8).

Whilst the R20s DO have Climate-Control- (I even have one which was 'converted' to the "useless" r134a gas-which proved utterly pathetic !) in 2005) so when the compressor-belt broke, I never bothered replacing it.

Also, the R20 'Air-Con unit is MASSIVE when looking at it behind the steering-wheel from inside & I've been told by Ren-Mechs that the R20 'air-con-unit' will NOT transplant into an R12 in any way!
(even the compressor is too large).

However, I have heard that there are now far more EFFICIENT 'air-con' gases available since 2005/6, & as I have so many R12s & parts & I LOVE them-(& I am planning to keep driving them "till death do us part" )- I am prepared to spend a reasonable sum to acheive this goal! 8)

Instead, I am being FORCED to drive GARBAGE 'mid-'90s FORD Falcons & similar, which break down constantly, even @ 120,000klms! What insane 'autotrash!'

I only NEED one air-conditioned car for my wife's health/overheating-issues & have VERY little $$$ BUT when wreckers offer $50 for a 1995 IMMACULATE Fairmont with a blown head gasket-(which I'm told shall cost $950 to weld/reface/repair-?), .....

THEN I must try & fit it & attempt to get the 'computerized pce of CR*P' running again myself -(only to find the 'air-con' won't work after such a long inactive-duration) , whilst these 'repairs'(?!!) have been happening, I'm still driving a "HOT" Renault 12! 8)

Since 2007, I'm on my 2nd FORD & YEAH !- My R20s have blown their head gaskets too-( 1 after One & a Half MILLION klms! ) & the others after split hoses on Motorways, also after well over 500.000+klms, so, I can HANDLE that!...even lovingly, gracefully accept such durability BUT "Plastic-Radiator-Tanks" in 4 litre 12+ year old computer-cars? NO!!!!!!

Please, do NOT say; "Why don't I simply buy a NEW Hyundai Getz or similar? "
[Well, IF ya wish to loan me $15000 @ $25 per week- I'll DO IT !!!! ]

So, after getting all that off my chest - Sorry folks!

Mebbe, ya can see why I wanna REALLY try HARD & spend some $$$ on making an 'Air-Conditioning-system' work for an Renault 12.

My wife ADORES R12s also - so thats a BIG plus!

[Also, my latest is a 1974 'TRAK BLU' R12 sedan originally sold by JOHN FRENCH MOTORS,W'gabba- for those who may recall him! ]

Some Froggies have told me, that "IF it could be done?" =(air-con for an R12?)- it would SLOW the car down considerably , causing GREAT power-loss & more gearshifting !


Well, we'd prefer to cruise@ 50 MPH than 62 MPH & be CHILLED to the Marrow, coz that is as fast as we go anyway!


PLEASE! ...... any suggestions, old R8s,10, R12,16,15,17,18s ,ANY other vehicles; (Flashes of brilliance) &/or suitable Air-Con bits that may help/fit/modify(?) & ESPECIALLY old Under-Dash air-con-Units =(Ford Fairlanes, Holden Prems, Valiants, etc, lying around in sheds, under house; rusted,cobwebbed- PLEASE ? remember ME & my persistant crazy 8) IDEA!??

My mate with the Tilt-tray-car -truck -(1981..or'91?), after purchase, found it had been fitted with an 'UNDERDASH air-con-unit & some kinda home-made-compressor-bracket & the RIGHT 'r1**gas' & it sits under the passenger-side parcel-shelf & WORKS a TREAT!

My wife wants her dress to BLOW over her head! 8) & the passenger-side R12 parcel-shelf is JUST THE SPOT!

Anyway, Thank you for listening-(snores emitting from faces down on the keyboard) ( & PLEASE , NO matter how LONG this project may take & how much it costs-(within reason )- we are gonna CHILL our R12 & covert it into an FWD ESKY! 8)

Best Wishes to all, marcel. 8) snore!
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King of the Road/REGIE

[renman]

Somebody once told me that aircon parts which have been pulled apart and left for some time are not efficient when re-used because of the oxides that occur inside the aluminium heat exchange devices.

It kinda made sense but I don't know if its for real.
Still if you are looking at creating an aircon unit out of parts it might be something to research or at least bear in mind?

Cheers
_________________
Renault Megane RenaultSport 225 Turbo Cup
Renault Alpine GTA Turbo
'Phil' the Fuego
50%Renault Dauphine Gordini
50% Bolwell MK7

[marcelb]

Yes! you're no doubt correct about that mate!

Mebbe insead of attempting to use & adapt 'air-con' bits/pces from earlier cars, IF one is SERIOUS, the 'various components' may be got from a 12month old wreck/write off & these air-con-bits may still be 'servicable" ?

I mean, I actually am DESPERATE enough to drive a Hyhundi GETZ- IF only I could get the loan- I still gota R12 (collection) to drive for most times!

Its just paying a mortgage(again! ), running 2 cars & the bills, etc, & buying a $15000 car on a 'Carer Pension is simply an "impossible dream" .

Once I'd rather have been seen DEAD, however, I have reached that stage of life, when I would be HAPPY to be seen driving such koreankrap, as I reckon both a new Getz & US have about 10 years left in us!

I have good '134air-con system' from a 20 that IF useful for an ALPY, ya all welcome to this stuff. System still 'sealed' just compressor-belt broken.

Does anyone have a small manual 2dr-hatch that has GREAT air-con & is pretty cheap- (of ANY brand)- that is not needed anymore & would sell / swap with cash adjustment for my air-con needs.?????

After 10 years, I am SO sick of attempting to CHILL a small manual car(for the rare trip for my wife), that I am going NUTS!

Anyway, thanks renman for your reply & all the best, cheers, marcel.
not 8)
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King of the Road/REGIE

[renman]

Norris Motor Group trade 3 year old Getz for $4000 so the most yer gonna lose over 5 years is minimal. Check around - you might find a good deal that'll keep you cool for a number of years
_________________
Renault Megane RenaultSport 225 Turbo Cup
Renault Alpine GTA Turbo
'Phil' the Fuego
50%Renault Dauphine Gordini
50% Bolwell MK7

[marcelb]

Thats sounds FANTASTIC renman!!

I really think that would solve my problems for at least anothe 10 years-(as I won't drive the GETZ under 35 degrees Celsius =(except at least 20klms once a week to keep that AIRCON working well!) coz the REST of the time I'll be driving....YEP! You guessed it? R12s

There remains, however just ONE problem...only 1...a leeeetle...weeeny one.....nuthin' to speak of really?

Can ya loan me $3000 PLEASE?

I gotta ONE THOUSAND already ! 8) I can NEVER seem to get past that amount-well..mebbe another $500.. YES! $1500, I can get! 8)

PLEASE??? I'll pay NO interest whatsoever, I PROMISE!

Any help will be gratefully appeciated & 4=R20cars & parts will be donated to your door FREE! 8)

Thanks for the info & the "inspirational" financial advice!
Merci, marcel. 8) :
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King of the Road/REGIE

[renman]

[marcelb]

"Its alright, renman-I FORGIVE you!"

Your stable must be pretty costly to manage & maintain, so I am not offended! .......... JUST DEVASTATED!.....


YES! It is fantastic except my wife will NOT allow me take out another mortgage on the house for a car!

I mean , IF I was to do such a sensible thing, it would have to be for a New CLIO SPORT!

IT has AIR CON! 8) It IS for HER benefit - silly woman!

My bank manager hasn't yet forgiven me for my last application- he said a man of my age, earning-capacity, health-status,poor-future prospects, etc, had NO RIGHT attempting to "borrow money for a 'sports car'" and said I was "IMMATURE!"

(what can expect from someone under 30 ?!!!)

Needless to say, "I had to agree!"

I just said, I understood and sat in my R12 & CRIED & CRIED!

Oh well, ya cannot blame me for TRYIN'....

See ya later & IF ya find a VERY cheap GETZ- PLEASE 'PM' me !

Cheers, marcel-(mid-life-crisis has knocked me down FLAT!)

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King of the Road/REGIE

[renman]

[renman]

[marcelb]

Thanks renman, yeah, this 'mid-life crisis' is BORING!''

I need to get out more & rejoin the RCCQ but it is a long trip & I have nobody to 'keep an eye' on my wife when away, as she is not 'improving' but she is TOUGH!

I haven't been to a GRAND DISPLAY since 2005's ALPINE EXPO & that event used to be my annual highlight!

Its so frustrating to think that I have 4 really nice R12s; all running, rust-free & diverse models & IF they had AIR-CON, I would NEVER need any other vehicle for the rest of my life! 8)
They are the GOOD cars, let alone the restoration-jobs' & I've enough parts & NOS to last me out!

Oh well, I shall find something to function as an 'MOBILE-ESKY' at a reasonable price somehow.

Yet it is frustrating to see early 1980s Pug 505s (even with blown head gaskets!) selling for $500 to $2000, whilst my R20s cannot even find FREE homes & the R20 is a far more versatile & superior car to the 505 in my opinion & remains utterly worthless!?

What is it with Pugs & Renaults; $=values?

I have actually driven my son's GETZ in 2007 & was astonished at its peppy performance but I suspect it may be a car that should be purchased 'NEW' & get your 5 years warranty & simply use it for the outings in hot weather with my wife,as she NEVER gets out, except in winter.

I need to research more about this car, as all who have one seem very happy with them & they are down to $12,000 for the 1.4 litre basic model!

Anyway, thanks for the response & GET THAT BOLWELL well! 8)

Cheers, marcel
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King of the Road/REGIE

[4x4frog]

Hey Mark.
The search continues I see.
This little Pug on aussiefrogs would be perfect and as it's had the timing belt done, there is 4 years of virtually trouble free motoring for you. These are good little run arounds. The Cit we have(Xsara) is just the same car in Citroen clothing and has been free of major hassles. I've done routine things like thermostat, auxillary belt, soon to do the T/B as well as water pump and I've done the brakes which were relatively easy as.
Does it need to be 2 door?
Are you able to get an advance for special circumstances from Centrelink at all?
Are there no good going 505's around at all? They're simple to work on too.
Cheers and good luck.
Chris



http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73521
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Life...the cost of living hasn't reduced it's popularity

[marcelb]

Hey ! Many thanks Chris for the message.
I shall check it out asap!

The reason I don't have 505s is the AIR COND gas is the same as R20s/Fuegos,etc, & is unavailable & IF-(as I did ) you completely modernise the ENTIRE air-con system to run on the 'new' r-gas-you will not be very "COOL" at all, just very HOT, ripped off & angry!

Apparently, the 'r134'gas burns hotter or something like that & is pretty much USELESS! SO don't waste $500 chilling a 'classic' PORCHE or Jag, Caddy, anything?!!

One of my R20s STILL is full of 'new' air-con gas but it would NOT cool the car hardly at all -(which is why I gotta EF Fairmont =GREAT air-con-crap car & worthless to boot, even tho' it STILL looks like a $20,000 FORD!)
I saw a 2004 BA Falcon (170,000klms & IMMACULATE for $8500)..in a CAR YARD! Its HOPELESS, apparently-that 'industry'!
Must be!-my son quit selling used cars & he is so $=hungry-there must be NO $ in that work at present!

You forgot to say which 'model/year/etc'= PUG it is? I'll find it anyway!

As for getting Centrelink loans, it is helpful BUT when you are still paying off your home/rates,insurance,etc, that little loan is never really enough to buy what ya need & paying it back can leave things VERY tight!
GREAT for a set of tyres, etc, but to do an engine@$2000+ or similar, its not that helpful but I KNOW ALL folk on any benefit is very grateful for access to a $500 loan once a year!

2 doors are not VITAL, just sufficient & a hatch,wagon, small ute would do!

It is hard to believe that a 1995 Fairmont@260,000klms is worth mebbe $600 yet looks GREAT!
I'm happy to trade/cash-adjustment/swap,etc, with my FORD, as it still looks & runs like a new car BUT I do not "trust it!" haha!

Be happy to trade it for a small car with a CHILLY-interior!
Some Aussies LOVE big FORDS!

I'll keep driving for it's air-con but they blow head gaskets like a Ferrarri has 'tune-ups'....constantly !

Hope all is well with you & I'll find the 'RIGHT' Mobile-Esky sometime?!!
Just keep on looking till the "one to keep" turns up.

Best wishes & thanks for the tip Chris, Mark.

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King of the Road/REGIE