Miata Mailing List: July 1996, Message #47
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   From: "Brian K. Dore'" 
Subject: A/C Questions
   Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 14:10:14 -0400

Wow, two problems in one day...

The air conditioner in my '90 Miata slowly died this spring, and it turns out that 
the compressor is leaking.  I've only got one estimate so far, and it's almost 
$700.  (from memory: $400 rebuilt compressor, $100 dryer, $150 labor $50 taxes, $50 
R-12 refill, I know it doesn't add up)  That seems to be a lot of money to spend on 
an R-12 system right now and I'd like to price alternatives.  

I was never real happy with the drag the compressor put on the 1.6 engine, and the 
cooling was good, but never great.  I understand R-134a is even less efficent and 
I'm worried that the OEM 1.6L system won't work well if converted to R-134a.  The 
1.8L cars I've driven seem to suffer very little from running the A/C and are all 
R-134 units.  I'm not sure if the new compressor is more efficent or if the 1.8L 
just handles the load better.

Anyway, does Mazda (or anyone) make an add-on R-134a A/C kit for the Miata?  Will 
the '94+ unit fit in a '90?  Any suggestions from people who know?   I'm tempted to 
just take the whole thing out...

Before anyone questions my need for A/C, I really missed it when driving in 3+ 
hours of creeping (5 mph) stop & go traffic on the interstate (I-10 is under MAJOR 
construction in Louisiana) at 98 degrees and pouring rain.  Had to sacrifice my 
shirt to clear condensation off the inside of the windshield.  

Thanks again,

Brian Dore'
Lafayette, LA