Thread: Hilux vigo air con problem

the air con on my vigo ( 4 years old, well maintained) is not as cold as it was, its still cold, but less cold. its happened gradually over the past few months.

the freon (or whatever they use) is still fully topped up and the compressor is working ok.

toyota told me the compressor air filter needs cleaning and to do this they have to take out the dashboard to get to it.

anybody know anything about this? or is there a simpler way of cleaning this filter.

thanks

I'm not sure if it's exactly the same problem but it sounds a lot like my wife's Toyota Wish. We were told the same thing - quite expensive too if I recall correctly.

nothing simpler than paying Toyota to have the job done.

Originally Posted by taxexile

toyota told me the compressor air filter needs cleaning

That's not right.
The compressor and condenser are the bits under the bonnet.
The evaporator is the bit under the dash board.

The evaporator gets condensation on it and the moisture attracts all the dust which builds up and stops it working.

I hope its a translation problem because compressors are mounted on the engine and are driven by belt off the crank shaft. The evaporator is the device located in the dash and I suppose it could become clogged with dirt because of air flow.

Just think of your house or condo split unit air con. The compressor and condenser coil are in the outside unit and the evaporator coil is located inside. Automotive units work in the same manner.

Have you tired making sure your outside fresh air intake vent is closed and then checking performance of air con.

Your problem sounds reasonable to me, we had to have the Honda air filter cleaned under the dash that filters the air to the evap, same as the filters in your air con in your house, they have to be cleaned periodically and the one out of the Honda looked like it was made of Mud.
I have always been satisfied with the service at Toyota since we bought one and they do our service and repair work as needed.
I can't say the same for Honda dealers service tho.

Originally Posted by taxexile

toyota told me the compressor air filter needs cleaning and to do this they have to take out the dashboard to get to it.

This is the bit which I find hard to believe.
The filter must be accessible without removing the dashboard

my compressor rusted and was leaking
needed a new one 8K

Look at the Thai bright side.
It's not hot now. Mai pen rai.

I'm not as optimistic as my Vigo is now 3.5 years old/owned. Good thread. Good question, Good answers.

thanks for the replies.

i'm not sure whether its the evaporator or the condenser, but its a filter and it lies behind the dash, which apparently has to be removed to get at the filter.

on a d-max its an easily accessible pull out filter, but on some toyotas its located behind the dash.

i will get a couple of quotes for the job and then decide where to take it.

i dont really trust letting a local car air shop remove the dash and then refit it without them missing some screws or connectors and being left with rattles and squeaks, and then having to take it back and argue with some dimwit teenage greasemonkey, at least with toyota it should get done properly even if they need to do it twice.

Originally Posted by taxexile

thanks for the replies.

i'm not sure whether its the evaporator or the condenser, but its a filter and it lies behind the dash, which apparently has to be removed to get at the filter.

on a d-max its an easily accessible pull out filter, but on some toyotas its located behind the dash.

i will get a couple of quotes for the job and then decide where to take it.

i dont really trust letting a local car air shop remove the dash and then refit it without them missing some screws or connectors and being left with rattles and squeaks, and then having to take it back and argue with some dimwit teenage greasemonkey, at least with toyota it should get done properly even if they need to do it twice.

It's the condenser mate, had this problem twice, both cars were Bangkok plates,it's all the dust and polution.

Took the cars to a local guy, 1200 baht each, I looked at the condensers when he took em out full of crap.

I will never buy a second hand car from Bangkok again.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by taxexile

toyota told me the compressor air filter needs cleaning and to do this they have to take out the dashboard to get to it.

This is the bit which I find hard to believe.
The filter must be accessible without removing the dashboard

We were told the same thing, albeit on a different model of Toyota. Honestly can't recall if it was the filter specifically though; just that whatever it was required having the dash taken out.

Maybe it's a Toyota thing, I guess you could call it a design fault?

^
Agree
I did it myself on the Hilux Tigers that I have owned.
Take the glovebox out and the EVAPORATOR is there.

The condenser is in front of the radiator

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Agree I did it myself on the Hilux Tigers that I have owned. Take the glovebox out and the EVAPORATOR is there. The condenser is in front of the radiator

Yea, that is correct Thet, and I would have to question anyone that told me it was a dirty compressor air filter too.
We did have to have the evap filter cleaned once because of a dead lizard in it and it stunk like hell.

Agree
I did it myself on the Hilux Tigers that I have owned.
Take the glovebox out and the EVAPORATOR is there.

The condenser is in front of the radiator

can this be done with a couple of screwdrivers and an oily rag or would i need lots of tools etc. to do this ?

any diagrams on the net of the vigo dash and what lies behind it?

Originally Posted by taxexile

can this be done with a couple of screwdrivers

I have only done this on a Tiger which has no airbags and it is dead simply.
I have never owned a Vigo so will let some else answer that bit.

Originally Posted by taxexile

can this be done with a couple of screwdrivers and an oily rag or would i need lots of tools etc. to do this ?

In Thailand, a screwdriver is a necessity, and also a hammer to beat on it with when it is used as a cold chisel.

well, the glovebox sort of unclipped, i didnt even need a screwdriver! and behind it are dozens of cables and connectors and a black round thing about 8" in diameter made by denso, i think they are an air-con company, it appears to be a sealed unit and according to the bloke who hangs round the car park at the condo here it is indeed the condenser, which needs cleaning if the air-con gets weaker, he doesnt think the whole dash will need to come out and cleaning this thing is an easy and routine job, so when i get some time i will take the car to an air shop and see what they have to say.

Originally Posted by taxexile

the bloke who hangs round the car park at the condo here it is indeed the condenser, which needs cleaning if the air-con gets weaker,

Yes, and when you do that, then you will find out that the Bloke who hangs around the car park is full of shit..
The condenser looks like a radiator and is in the front of the car and even in front of the coolant radiator so it gets first shot at the cool air coming in, and if you are having trouble keeping your car from overheating then run without air con running as the heat from the condenser also goes back thru your coolant radiator and adds some heat to the incoming air.

DENSO makes all kind of specialty parts for the auto industry..

Originally Posted by taxexile

it is indeed the condenser

Repeat after me

"Evaporator"
"Evaporator"
"Evaporator"

^

sorry, i meant evaporator. not condenser

had it done (evaporator cleaned) along with a service at toyota, no need to remove anything except the glove box.

cost just under 2000 and the air con is noticeably colder now.

thanks for all the replies and info.