3200 in the hottest day of the year!

Kincath

Member
Messages
358
So I just wondered what the general situation is with the 3200 air con system. Does anyone’s work? And what’s the prime suspect for failure in these.

I’d like to try and get mine working. :)
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
General losses over the life of the vehicle, failure of o rings, corrosion of the fins and body of the radiator and dryer getting overwhelmed with moisture or any failure of the compressor. Add to that Italian electronics and it is anyone’s guess.
 

Kincath

Member
Messages
358
General losses over the life of the vehicle, failure of o rings, corrosion of the fins and body of the radiator and dryer getting overwhelmed with moisture or any failure of the compressor. Add to that Italian electronics and it is anyone’s guess.

So basically just drive faster with the windows down? :cool:
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
Mine certainly worked in the Assetto Corsa, never really used it though, other than the Euro trip.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I’d suggest your first port of call is to see if there is any gas in it. Either one of those gauges from Halfords or go to a specialist. If has no pressure then you will most likely have to change the drier (a PITA) and then get it gassed up.
 

CT3200GT

Junior Member
Messages
94
To be honest the air con of my 3200 is very powerful and works very well, it made me think that these cars had great air con as it makes the cabin freezing cold if needed..

Christos
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
I can’t believe how much seat comes from under car esp on a hot day, I’m sure it would burn grass.
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
Mine works great too, Its freezing if need be..

But you have to accept all the component's are now over 18 years old and will fail at some point

The compressor front/clutch seal is usually the first to go!

Dave
 

gemini

Member
Messages
143
Mine was working last year in the assetto corsa, but it's currently really weak. Never worked on my other 3200, it's on the to do list...
About the dryer, do you know if there is a cheap alternative part from fiat/alfa/lancia/whatever?
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
Don't waste your money in Halfords , take it to an AC specialist , they'll vac test it to see if it's leaking , if it is they'll put a UV dye in to see where it's leaking then tell you whether it's ££ or ££££££
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Don't waste your money in Halfords , take it to an AC specialist , they'll vac test it to see if it's leaking , if it is they'll put a UV dye in to see where it's leaking then tell you whether it's ££ or ££££££

The £20 gauge from Halfords really useful, I use mine to get a quick idea of the running pressures and so an idea of the charge and the line length is shorter so there is less of a loss from the connection of the gauge. The point being that if there is pressure in the system then it is clear right away that the problem is bigger than just a recharge and it doesn’t cost as much to find out.

A good specialist will pressure test with nitrogen to check for leaks, rather than just vacing it with their machine to see if it will hold a vac long enough to bung some gas in it.
 

RSM Masser

Member
Messages
2,437
Mine never worked, heater always blows hot air onto your feet, doesn’t make much difference where the dial is set!
 

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
my Air conditioning works a treat and can get the car very cold indeed. i have had issues with the relays that engage the compressor these needed replaced, and i replaced the AC radiator and the condenser/evaporator? The aluminium bottle thats squeezed into a cavity in the body so you need magic pixies to replace it. but I think when its working it a very good system.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
my Air conditioning works a treat and can get the car very cold indeed. i have had issues with the relays that engage the compressor these needed replaced, and i replaced the AC radiator and the condenser/evaporator? The aluminium bottle thats squeezed into a cavity in the body so you need magic pixies to replace it. but I think when its working it a very good system.

The drier. And yes, my GS was cool as a cucumber so the systems themselves are more than up to the job!
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Reading this has encouraged me to get the a/c sorted in my 19 year old Pinin!
Everything appeared to work by not very cold, and looking at the history it probably has never been recharged since new.
Couldn't find an a/c specialist, so this morning thought I would give kwik fit £59 a try!
Anyway all good, it still had pressure in the system, about 30% weight of refrigarent, and vac checked okay, so recharged and now ice cold.
Seeing as it was not empty before hopefully it will keep its self charged if used regularly.
Would I take the Maser to kwik fit, not sure, while there one of their 'technicians' reversed a customer car straight into the side of a delivery van...
 

madmanmart

Member
Messages
377
Just got my 3200 a/c working but it took abit of patience.
Replaced the condenser and dryer and had it gassed, It held pressure but the pump wouldn’t kick in.
After much trouble shooting it turned out to be the pressure switch.
All sorted and works a treat now.
 

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
I guess the aircon is similar for a 4200. What could it be if the circulation button (left of eco button) is by default on when the car starts. Always have to switch it off. No cold air blowing , although I hear the pump engaging.