as the title says chaps
they are the cheapest at 57 quid but do they actually fit OK ? as the sizes seem to vary a fair bit too
Thermotec is 580 x 296 x 16 also gaurenteed for 2 years apparently ?
Delphi one is £98 & 550 x 320 x 16
Mahle is £166 & 566 x 313 x 18
your thoughts ?
are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
-
- Spin Doctor
- Posts: 32532
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Lightning Yellow
- Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
- Has thanked: 444 times
- Been thanked: 2080 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
The Mazda OEM A/C radiator (condenser) is F151-61-480 @ £388.92 + VAT dealer retail.
The Thermotec price is like comparing a Toyosport catback to the oem exhaust, so it might be a bargain, though I fully understand you asking the question.
I've not had any experience with that brand and don't recall it being mentioned on here before, certainly the site search doesn't find anything outside of this thread.
Personally, if I was having to replace mine then I'd been looking at good used oem from a trusted trader, rather than bargain basement new - but that's just me.
The matrix can be impact damaged, which should be visually obvious, and it's easy enough to pressure test.
Unlike the coolant radiator matrix, the a/c is very unlikely to get blocked be debris in circulation, so "a good one" should be exactly that.
The Thermotec price is like comparing a Toyosport catback to the oem exhaust, so it might be a bargain, though I fully understand you asking the question.
I've not had any experience with that brand and don't recall it being mentioned on here before, certainly the site search doesn't find anything outside of this thread.
Personally, if I was having to replace mine then I'd been looking at good used oem from a trusted trader, rather than bargain basement new - but that's just me.
The matrix can be impact damaged, which should be visually obvious, and it's easy enough to pressure test.
Unlike the coolant radiator matrix, the a/c is very unlikely to get blocked be debris in circulation, so "a good one" should be exactly that.
-
- Club Member
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 9:09 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Strato Blue
- Location: Northants
- Has thanked: 29 times
- Been thanked: 327 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
So measuring up my OEM matrix its 600 x 320 and 16 deep
so its looks like the cheapest rad is the closest ? and I take your point Dave but rads do suffer from external corrosion and are under a fair bit of pressure so I'd rather go with new to be honest
so its looks like the cheapest rad is the closest ? and I take your point Dave but rads do suffer from external corrosion and are under a fair bit of pressure so I'd rather go with new to be honest
-
- Former Member
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 4:28 pm
- RX-8: R3
- Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
- Location: Huddersfield
- Has thanked: 5 times
- Been thanked: 28 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
Im still in the boat of not having air con.
After replacing my compressor it over pressurises the outlet. Ive been told that this will either be the condenser or the valve. So the thing is the condenser has a desiccant to dry the gas in it. When you buy them new they are sealed apparently where as one off a car could have been sat there for ages. Im not convinced thats a good idea? are they any pitfalls?
After replacing my compressor it over pressurises the outlet. Ive been told that this will either be the condenser or the valve. So the thing is the condenser has a desiccant to dry the gas in it. When you buy them new they are sealed apparently where as one off a car could have been sat there for ages. Im not convinced thats a good idea? are they any pitfalls?
-
- Club Member
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 9:09 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Strato Blue
- Location: Northants
- Has thanked: 29 times
- Been thanked: 327 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
Dessicant material in the dryer does lose its effectivness over time - some guides say to replace every 3 years ( but who does that)
now the AC will still 'work' but it won't be as cold as it could be plus you dont' have the protection of no water vapour removal within the system
so on balance a new condensor (which includes the dryer on our cars) is the best bet
now the AC will still 'work' but it won't be as cold as it could be plus you dont' have the protection of no water vapour removal within the system
so on balance a new condensor (which includes the dryer on our cars) is the best bet
-
- Club Member
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 9:09 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Strato Blue
- Location: Northants
- Has thanked: 29 times
- Been thanked: 327 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
I guess so
I'll take the plunge and report back
I'll take the plunge and report back
- These users thanked the author 350matt for the post:
- warpc0il (Tue Oct 12, 2021 1:10 pm)
-
- Club Member
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 9:09 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Strato Blue
- Location: Northants
- Has thanked: 29 times
- Been thanked: 327 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
So update time
bought the cheap Thermotec rad through autodoc
and it shows up about 10 days later ( cheers Boris )
well packed and protected and even painted and fitted with proper plugs and pressurised ?
fit is 100% spot on, everything lines up and just slots on
just had it regassed ( £80) and the AC is very cold - just in time for winter!
so far a thumbs up from me
bought the cheap Thermotec rad through autodoc
and it shows up about 10 days later ( cheers Boris )
well packed and protected and even painted and fitted with proper plugs and pressurised ?
fit is 100% spot on, everything lines up and just slots on
just had it regassed ( £80) and the AC is very cold - just in time for winter!
so far a thumbs up from me
- These users thanked the author 350matt for the post (total 4):
- warpc0il (Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:46 pm) • HarSc (Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:06 pm) • ChrisHolmes (Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:41 am) • rotatopotato (Sun Oct 31, 2021 11:55 pm)
-
- Club Member
- Posts: 3158
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 9:09 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Strato Blue
- Location: Northants
- Has thanked: 29 times
- Been thanked: 327 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
Here you go chap
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/thermotec/14081543
discounts change all the time - its often cheaper to order it on a Friday for some bizarre reason
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/thermotec/14081543
discounts change all the time - its often cheaper to order it on a Friday for some bizarre reason
-
- Club Member
- Posts: 1102
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:11 pm
- RX-8: R3
- Colour: Sparkling Black
- Location: Glasgow
- Has thanked: 448 times
- Been thanked: 201 times
Re: are Thermotec AC rads any good ?
Nice one. There's a reman'd oem compressor on ebay, so I'm thinking I'll get that and one of these condensers and have a go at fixing the AC myself as it all looks pretty straightforward to fit and mine is already empty of gas.
Cheers for taking one for the team
Cheers for taking one for the team