Water ingress....help!!!

[KiwiDave]

During an unplanned drive in the rain, I noticed water trickling down over the pasengers side footwell speaker and onto the carpet. I originally thought this was caused by a blocked sunroof drain. Having poured water down said drain, it exits exactly where it should and not into the footwell.
Any ideas anyone???

[Lucky]

On an FD this is a classic heater matrix failure symptom Not quite so sure on an FB, but IIRC it's in a similar place. Worth a look?

[ian65]

it maybe a hole in the windscreen pillar under the black trim... I hope not though.

[KiwiDave]

On an FD this is a classic heater matrix failure symptom Not quite so sure on an FB, but IIRC it's in a similar place. Worth a look?

That crossed my mind as well, it only happens when it rains though. Have tried heating in hot and cold settings and cannot replicate. Will get under the matrix with a torch and have a good look. thnx

[KiwiDave]

it maybe a hole in the windscreen pillar under the black trim... I hope not though.

I hope not too!! I've got a little hand pumped pressure sprayer which I can do some tests with. Will try removing the speaker and interior trim to get a better look. Thnx

[pandafb]

It could be coming from the cowl area, mine had some seam sealer that had dried up/flaked off in there and it was getting in through a few of the metal seams. Also check that metal can looking part thats above the blower motor (its like a little dam to keep water and dirt etc out of the fan)
If it's the same leak that mine had it could be a real pain in the butt to fix. I had to pull my fenders off and drill a few access holes to get new sealer in there

[KiwiDave]

Thnx for the input Sean. I could finally trace the leak by running water slowly down the front screen. By shining a torch up from the footwell, I can see a seam and rust in various stages of attack. Can't pinpoint exactly where the drips are coming from but it is a right PITA to get at without, as you suggest, removing the front guard (or fender in your case).
Have attacked from the inside with a clear spray sealer, so long as I can stop the damp carpet syndrome, I will be happy until the summer then I'll get the fender off.

On another matter entirely, any ideas on where (or if) I could find some cheap A/C bits? Our UK FBs came with a dash switch and some studs on which to mount the compressor, that was it. So stuff like the compressor, condensor, receiver/drier, expansion valve and evaporator. I may be able to get my hands on a MX5 (Miata to you) system here but have no idea if they will interchange or if I should use specific parts..... at the end of the day, maybe it's just too damn expensive. Any ideas??

[TOOL]

You can't use the LHD US stuff on a RHD car.

The only A/C system in the UK for FB is the one I had on the JDM turbo, which Ian now has.

How's that project coming along dude?

[ian65]

On another matter entirely, any ideas on where (or if) I could find some cheap A/C bits? Our UK FBs came with a dash switch and some studs on which to mount the compressor, that was it. So stuff like the compressor, condensor, receiver/drier, expansion valve and evaporator. I may be able to get my hands on a MX5 (Miata to you) system here but have no idea if they will interchange or if I should use specific parts..... at the end of the day, maybe it's just too damn expensive. Any ideas??

The 1st gen aircon set up is a very simple setup and easy to retro fit.... getting the parts is the difficult bit, but a bit of patience and research on ebay USA or AUS should sort you out. I'd forget about improvising with MX5 bits and buy proper 1st gen RX7 parts.
You'll need the evaporator, microswitch, aircon loom, relay, solenoid, refridgerant lines, compressor, compressor bracket, dryer, condensor and mounting bracket. You can just use your own heater box and blower motor.
The easiest way is to buy a proper fb aircon evaporator and compressor bracket from the USA and then put together the other parts of the setup yourself.... you'll want to use a new dryer, condensor and maybe compressor anyway and these are available new from places like Rockauto. The expansion valve is built into the evaporator and you can make your own loom up then get the relay and solenoid off ebay USA. Left hand drive or right hand drive... can be made to work, you'll just need to maybe have new shorter lines made up and adapt the evaporator couplers.
I've got the complete aircon set off Tools JDM turbo and so that I could re-install it onto my car, I went down and removed it from the car myself, taking loads of photos and notes as I went along.
I'm going to put the setup into my silver car and I'll do a bit of a writeup on how it all goes together and the parts needed.

[pandafb]

Sorry for the delayed reply, kept forgetting to check this thread! I agree with the others, it would probably be best to get the parts from a US FB, rather than the mx5/Miata. Your best bet would be to get on Rx7club and post an ad, most guys over here ditch the A/C and I'm sure you could pick up most of it cheaply enough. The biggest setback would be shipping, as the whole system comes in at 40+ lbs (whatever that is in KG lol)

The biggest issue you will face is getting the evaporator box to work (since the blower and heater boxes are switched on the RHD cars) and the high pressure line would need to be shortened and the low pressure/return line would need to be lengthened (I'm sure any decent a/c shop could do this though) The wiring is very simple assuming the body harness on your cars has the provisions for the switch.

I've had good luck so far with my cobbled together system, using mostly used parts. I replaced all the o rings and the dryer though. It's been a few years and still holding its charge and blowing cold.
If you want more info or pics of the us A/C setup I can certainly help, I'll subscibe to this thread so I know when you reply lol
Good luck with that rust leak, they can be a real pita!