FTO AUSTRALIA

Ok, so I've had the FTO for just over 2 years now. Mechanically she has been amazing. Starts first time, everytime, with the exception of when I left my lights on for 2 days..

I paid just over 8k for it (4sp Auto GR to refresh). And have the following common issues which need to be corrected:

1) Roof Rust... not terrible, but along both the front and back beam, so will be costly to fix.
2) Air con's clapped - I think it's the condenser, but am not certain, possibly also costly.
3) Central Locking needs a fix
4) Window guides need replacing/adjustment so they don't rattle.
5) The motor on the fold in mirror is gone on the right hand side.
6) ....Actually that's pretty much it - the remainder of what I want to do is cosmetic > leather seats, door retrims, tint etc...

Now, (and thanks for reading this far!) the question I have is..

Do I keep the girl and spend the money to do her up. Keeping in mind I am basically mechanically inept and couldn't do the air con or anything myself and would have to employ labour.

Or, do I sell her, get a 98-99 5spd man or auto and go from there?

Input?!

Also second follow-on question: How much do you think she would sell for? $5k for a good first car for someone? As I said, mechanically, it's brilliant and gets a service every 5,000km & Major service every 20,000km, so it's not like it's a dodge car, just has pretty much all of the common trait problems of FTO..

Thanks Guys & Gals

K

Here's my tips.

1. Find a good panel beater, roof rust can be costly. Worst case scenario $6-800 to be done right
2. Checked if there's an gas in there? $60-80 to refill.
3. Central Lock fix: http://www.mitsubishi-fto.org/workshop/ ... index.html - $30 for the actuators
4. Rattly window fix: http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pic&t=3952 - $0
5. PM dstocks for a window motor - $30??

Keep it

Appreciate your input Ben.

1 - I thought it was around the 2k mark for it all to happen - $1k or less I can live with.
2 - I had it regassed, escaped almost instantly... I had a rice import mechanic look at it and he suggested it was the compressor. Ends up becoming around a $1k job potentially i think (from my research, which may be completely crap..lol)
3 & 4 & 5 - I know, but I don't wanna break it

But yeh, I see the logic.. I think I want new wheels too... *trails off in thought...

Ahhh ok, when they gassed it, did they put the dye in so you can see where its leaking? Most common place is the condensor. Not a hard job to swap (about an hour) its just sourcing one thats the issue. You'll be about 5th in the list looking for one on here, myself included Then its just a regas.

The gas never escapes from the compressor. You'll know if its fucked, you'll be able to gas the system, but still no cold air. Thats usually the sign of a shot compressor clutch. Again, also not that expensive a part, most mechanics will want to swap out the whole compressor because they dont think the clutch in it can be replaced - hence your $1000 quotes. A whole compressor unit is expensive on its own, a replacement clutch mechanisim inside isn't

Clutch? why the hell does an air conditioner have a clutch?! It doesn't change gears?!

Yip - I have no clue... Maybe I can drive it to sydney with a few cartons of your choice in tow and we can have a DIY weekend when I get the parts?

Come to the bonfire weekend, we always had a few hours of mucking around on the cars!
Plus you can meet other owners

FTO84 wrote:Clutch? why the hell does an air conditioner have a clutch?! It doesn't change gears?!

Yip - I have no clue... Maybe I can drive it to sydney with a few cartons of your choice in tow and we can have a DIY weekend when I get the parts?

lol, no what the clutch in the compressor does is engage the compressor when you press the AC button, it then disengages the compressor when you turn the AC off. As its a belt driven device, you wouldn't want the unit engaged the whole time, it saps power

And Im always open to beer related solutions

sorry to hijack

but so if you get only hot air and not cold air, but it seems to work otherwise what is the broken piece?

brad_gpx wrote:sorry to hijack

but so if you get only hot air and not cold air, but it seems to work otherwise what is the broken piece?

That doesn't make any sense

LOL

baby steps...

1. whole aircon unit works ie. blows air
2. hot air comes out
3. cold air doesnt <the problem
4. whats broken? <solution?

J wrote:LOL

baby steps...

1. whole aircon unit works ie. blows air
2. hot air comes out
3. cold air doesnt <the problem
4. whats broken? <solution?

ahh im glad you understand my poorly grammered and spelt posts that make no sense

when i re-read over i was also question what i was trying to say

Okay, baby steps here too then.

Does the system have gas in it?

Bennoz wrote:Okay, baby steps here too then.

Does the system have gas in it?

umm..... yes?

brad_gpx wrote:

Bennoz wrote:Okay, baby steps here too then.

Does the system have gas in it?

umm..... yes?

ie "I have no idea"

haha

Got the same problem with my air conditioner, you most likely have the same problem as me.



This thing has a cracked pipe in it, which led to the cold air going no where. I'm replacing the unit altogether and getting it regased, that will fix the problem

Nighthawk wrote:Got the same problem with my air conditioner, you most likely have the same problem as me.

Not neccesarily ^^

That's the only FTO I've ever seen leak in that spot. Plus you're fortunate enough to have had the last person gas the system with the dye, so you can actually see the leak.

That cylinder there is a call the reciever / dryer unit & is basically like an air filter for the air con system, and brown the plug on top of it is the pressure relief switch. It cuts the power to the compressor if the gas pressure is to high or to low.

The receiver dryer is a genernic Nippon Denso part & any AC / auto sparks shop will stock then. Last one I bought was $40. Because they are like 'an air filter for your AC' they should be replaced with new units every 3 years regardless. The pressure switch can also be replaced with a generic unit, also about the $40 mark. And to add to all of that, the leak itself looks to be coming from the where the line to the firewall is connected.... I'm willing to wager my first born that the 2c o-ring on the connector has perished causing your leak.

brad_gpx wrote:umm..... yes?

Ok, so no idea then. Go take the cap off the high pressure side of the line, push in the valve with your finger for a second. If it sounds like a tyre emptying, you've got gas. You hear nothing, you got no gas. Go get it regassed and have the dye put in.

Right - anyone else got anymore air con questions???

For your aiconditioning come for a drive up to toowoomba.

My dad does airconditioning for a cars at home he has all the equipment for gassing and leakdown testing and access to cheaper than trade discount airconditioning parts.

However i cant get you trade discount on a compressor or condensor if they are stuffed.

For the compressor try www.panelhouse.com.au, and give them a call.

And if your condensor has a hole in it i know a aircraft welder that is more than capable of fixing it for you for around $60.

And as an added bonus i know how to replace every single part of an airconditioning in an FTO.


Mine cost

Gas & Leakdown Test - Free (cos he is my dad lol, but he will charge you 55 or 85 i cant remember)
Condensor Welding - $50
Compressor - $50
Tx Valve & Receiver dryer - $86

Just send us a pm if your interested, yours probably wont be as bad as mine probably just a regas or a blocked tx valve.

I would take it to an aircon place in brissy get them to regas it and leakdown test it. And if they say its leaking or your compressor isnt working give panelhouse a call or if another part is at fault send us a pm and ill order it for you and fit it for you pretty cheap.

Oh yea i can also fix the rattly windows as well.

And i have an airconditioned garage

brad_gpx wrote:sorry to hijack

but so if you get only hot air and not cold air, but it seems to work otherwise what is the broken piece?

Your issue sounds the same as mine; as in, when I start my AC I can hear the system pressurising but get no cold air... I would say all you need is re-gassing, something I have been far too lazy to do.

FTEvolution wrote:

brad_gpx wrote:sorry to hijack

but so if you get only hot air and not cold air, but it seems to work otherwise what is the broken piece?

Your issue sounds the same as mine; as in, when I start my AC I can hear the system pressurising but get no cold air... I would say all you need is re-gassing, something I have been far too lazy to do.

Probably a blocked tx-valve.