DIY: A/C Insulation

[texkid]

Originally Posted by Sandwash

With such an obvious improvement to effectiveness (and efficiency) of AC system you would think Toyota would develop a standardized 'fix,' provide a service bulletin to their dealerships, thus allowing them to bill their customary 'arm and leg' charges for those customers willing and able to go that route.

I agree.

I still want to assume that they probably NOT do this in order to save on building costs. Because if you look at the whole car itself, there isn't another part that is insulated. So I imagine that they probably thought "why purchase insulating foam (or other material) for one stretch of pipe" and just left it at that?

[Pitt Yaris]

I'd like to do this. My a/c at a level 4 is no cooler than a friend's (old buick) a/c at a level 2.

[Yaris Hilton]

Well now, those old Buick ACs could be used to freeze a hockey rink. Probably draw off half the power the Yaris engine's capable of producing, too.

[andaconda]

Originally Posted by hatchbackkid82

I'm gonna have to try this

That's what I said today!
So I took photos along the way.

[andaconda]

ran out of aluminum tape - will finish the job after the holiday...

[yarisugi]

Did the a/c cooling improve?

[RedRide]

Originally Posted by Sandwash

With such an obvious improvement to effectiveness (and efficiency) of AC system you would think Toyota would develop a standardized 'fix,' provide a service bulletin to their dealerships, thus allowing them to bill their customary 'arm and leg' charges for those customers willing and able to go that route.

I've ony had my Yaris for a couple of weeks now, however it's becoming rapidly evident that Toyota left no stone unturned in its effort to cut cost to a minimum.

I'm not complaining as I wanted an inexpensive, no frills car.

As to why no TSB on this issue.... If they had one, that would be like admitting that there is a problem.

[andaconda]

Originally Posted by yarisugi

Did the a/c cooling improve?

Not sure yet, as I only checked for clearance with the insulation.
I did check my wife's Baja, and the sister-in-laws Aveo today - neither of them has any insulation whatsoever.

I can't see how this mod could possibly hurt anything at all! (other than a few cuts and bruises.)

[auxmike]

Originally Posted by andaconda

Not sure yet, as I only checked for clearance with the insulation.
I did check my wife's Baja, and the sister-in-laws Aveo today - neither of them has any insulation whatsoever.

I can't see how this mod could possibly hurt anything at all! (other than a few cuts and bruises.)

Yeah, looks like you hit something sharp! Mabye a glove would help prevent this for the others???

[andaconda]

Originally Posted by auxmike

Yeah, looks like you hit something sharp! Mabye a glove would help prevent this for the others???

Are you kidding me? I can't work with gloves. I get cut up if I even look at the underside of a car.

Besides that --- what's a little mod without a little blood?

[texkid]

Originally Posted by andaconda

Are you kidding me? I can't work with gloves. I get cut up if I even look at the underside of a car.

Besides that --- what's a little mod without a little blood?

That is definitely true. Besides, gloves were useless to me when I was smelling some burned arm hair.

Originally Posted by andaconda

Not sure yet, as I only checked for clearance with the insulation.

If you don't mine, stick a meat thermometer in the air vent and let us know what temp you're getting when driving.

I noticed that mid-morning and after around 17:00 my temps go as low as 37-ish degrees.

[firebob]

Originally Posted by andaconda

Besides that --- what's a little mod without a little blood?

If there’s not blood then you didn’t do anything.



I truly don’t think there’s a big issue with the AC as it is stock. I have looked at other cars still sitting on the lot and they use metal lines that are not insolated for part of the run also. I have driven plenty of other cars, SUVs, and trucks but I think the Yaris is as good or better with it’s cooling capabilities. Could the problem start after mods have been done that changes the temp under the hood?

If you have your AC on and you’re not running the fan wide open then why run the compressor and make the motor work harder for no reason?

[PatrickJohnson]

Originally Posted by firebob

If there’s not blood then you didn’t do anything.



I truly don’t think there’s a big issue with the AC as it is stock. I have looked at other cars still sitting on the lot and they use metal lines that are not insolated for part of the run also. I have driven plenty of other cars, SUVs, and trucks but I think the Yaris is as good or better with it’s cooling capabilities. Could the problem start after mods have been done that changes the temp under the hood?

If you have your AC on and you’re not running the fan wide open then why run the compressor and make the motor work harder for no reason?

The cooling was good before, but after doing this mod and driving for about a week, it is a night and day difference.

[Yaris Hilton]

Your tetanus shots up to date, Andaconda?

[firebob]

Originally Posted by PatrickJohnson

The cooling was good before, but after doing this mod and driving for about a week, it is a night and day difference.

I’m sure there is a good difference in doing this. I’m just saying that with the car stock it is as good other stock cars that are on the market.

[Sora65]

Yeah im about to do this today. hopefully works out well.
Another question.
for the yaris sedan.. the one i have...

can you insulate passed the tube. like where the pipe line hits the compressor?
It kinda looks like a pain to do. but i like cold :)

[andaconda]

If you don't mine, stick a meat thermometer in the air vent and let us know what temp you're getting when driving.

When I take it out of the garage on Monday, I'll take its temp.

[andaconda]

If you have your AC on and you’re not running the fan wide open then why run the compressor and make the motor work harder for no reason?

Instead of turning the temp down or up, I'm in the habit of pressing the air "on/off" button so that the compressor will only come on when I want to cool off.