A Basic Overview of the Jaguar XJ and XJS Climate Control Delanair mk2 and mk3

[@martinclapton2724]

This takes me back to 1979 . I used to work for a company called Fry’s Metals Ltd , when they had a branch based in Kidderminster, in their sales office . One of their biggest customers was Delanair, who were based in Coventry , convenient, for supplying Jaguar then of course , based in Browns Lane, Coventry. Fry’s Metals we’re a manufacturer and supplier of non ferrous metals to various manufacturers , trades and industry, supplying Delanair with various soldering alloys as well as Jaguar themselves with large quantities of body lead for lead loading body panels .when Sir John Egan took over Jaguar he instilled higher qualities in his suppliers , and supply and fit with the body panels so the quantities of body lead required to finishing off panel work , became much reduced.

[@hanoiboy9839]

This video Adam is an eye opener. You don't see a lot of those. Well said and done.

[@mikedx2706]

A cheap "upgrade" to the AC in a Series 2 XJ6 is to remove the black center vent panel from the dash with a plastic trim removal tool by prying it out very carefully. This center vent has 3 sectors: an adjustable vent sector on each side and a nonadjustable vent sector in the center. I blocked off the center nonadjustable vent sector with a piece of black cardboard pressed into the rear of the center vent. This "upgrade" forces more cooled air into the two adjustable vent sectors where one can then direct the cold air from the AC onto one's face and/or upper body. Here in Sacramento, California, USA, it greatly increased the comfort of driving the XJ6 during hot summer days. Without that "upgrade" most of the cool air from the AC gets directed to the back seat/center of car, and not onto the faces or bodies of the driver and passenger.

[@omgitsBenjamin]

What a fantastic recommendation! I have done that and noticed a very appreciable improvement!!

[@kevinmurphy4304]

Excellent video.Lots of very useful information as I have a Daimler series 3 v12 with blower issues .

[@stevemoore8580]

I replaced the a/c evaporator in my 90 xjs 4 months ago. The PO had removed the expansion valve by 'BREAKING IT OFF' ! !! I have owned it for 2 yrs. The hardest part of the disassembly is removing the dash and climate control box.

[@RickCT2000]

Great video. Love the compare and contrast of the types of systems. The repair of the heater core and air-conditioner will make for excellent watching. Thanks Adam,

[@jeffharrison5265]

Great information Adam. My S1 Jag has yet a different more primitive system. Knock on wood the heating works, the A/C I don't need here in Iowa, but I will need to fix in the next year or so, so that I can drive to Calif and other hot parts of the U.S.

[@jaguarrroman]

I highly appreciate your efforts and enjoy watching your video, good luck in your deeds!

[@Kevjann]

This vid comes just in time! I need to fix mine XJS HE climate control. The in and outlet hoses do get warm but there is no hot air flowing into the cabin... Until now I haven't looked into it, but this vid makes me want to start right away. Thanks! Or maybe wait a little longer for more info te come when you start with your own XJS :) .

[@ajay-xjs]

I really appreciate this episode, these things have always been a bit of a enigma to me, I've watched lots of engine videos but the climate systems are rarely covered so this is very welcome. Definitely worth struggling through Covid/Flu/Cold - get well soon Adam 🙏 Oh, and I've also just ordered a full stainless exhaust system, inlet trumpets and K&N filters for my V12 XJ-S from Simply Performance, very helpful company and I can't wait for my parcel to arrive in Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦

[@ingvargissurarson4671]

I have a love hate relationship with those. Put a lot of effort rebuilding this on one of my XJ-S and worked great when I finally found someone able to recharge the AC, which was not easy, as in Iceland most dont care if AC is working or not and few do have the equipment to recharge or the correct R12 at the time. And as you probably are avare of those dont like empty AC and only blow hot and wery hot without it.

[@dougwernham5209]

Thanks Adam a very helpful video.

[@mlindblom]

Those defroster vent plastic houses (06:40) are terribly brittle, at least in my 76 XJ12. I made a CAD model and had new ones 3d-printed.

[@asdreww]

Thanks so much for this. I've been meaning to dive into the Delanair 3 system in my 1989 XJS as i;m pretty sure that there is something not quite working right, possibly a stuck flap/diverter

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Very interesting video! I wonder if the XJ40 uses this system? Also, on my XJ40, the output of the controller that should activate the AC compressor relay does not work. So, last summer, I had a long wire between where the AC relay is under the hood, to a toogle switch in the car, so I could enjoy AC.

[@mansellsautos]

Absolutely fascinating Adam such a complex system but we'll explained.. My system seems to work okay in my XJS 88 however the suction pipe to the heater valve on the bulk head has never worked is this a common fault or any ideas.thanks in advance.

[@davidsolloway9349]

Heater cores / climate control boxes are always a pain to take out !

[@paulspain4198]

Great video, really helped with a lot of questions I had. When you recommission the unit into the car can you explain the fine tuning process to get the out put of cold air calibrated to the temperature switch. My 83 Sovereign has new compressor, dryer and TX valve but the output temp of the cold air is not great

[@awaisaqsaimsal]

Hi, great video, a quick question. I removed the AC compressor on my 89 xjs v12. Since that time the fans stopped working on both sides. Is there a link between the compressor and the blower fans? Many thanks. Mo

[@hohocc1349]

Good info! But you do look unwell, get well soon. Thanks for the effort in making it.

[@jamieduff1981]

Hi Adam, this is great. If it's not a trouble to you, would you be willing to show me where the actuator is for the face-level centre vent on that Delanair 3? My car has the common issue of no air to the centre vent, and my air conditioning doesn't work. I do plan to fix the a/c but don't want to get it charged if I then have to get it evacuated again to remove the unit from the car. Is it possible to get near the centre vent on the later XJ-S?

[@rsdindustries3893]

there is a vac servo behind the RH knee bolster panel. ( beside glove box where the air comes out ) my '89 xjs didnt have working center vent. Replaced the servo pulled from a series 3 xj6, works fine now.

[@jamieduff1981]

@@rsdindustries3893 Thank you, I have had the solenoid vacuum valve out before which was a bit sticky but I'd like to see the vacuum actuator itself. It probably does just need replacement valves but it's good to check all avenues :)

[@darrenrees3816]

Great videos! nothing has proved more helpful whilst owning an XJS. I have one quick question, my heating is irregular. It's either full heating, or full cold (through the centre vents). I have to switch it on and off repeatedly to get heat, as it gets stuck on full cold via the centre vents. Then as I said, if I'm luckily enough to get heat, it's full heat. Then I just don't touch it through fear of freezing. My aircon was completely disconnected, in many different ways from the engine bay when I bought it .Could this be the issue?

[@isaacbroome5472]

Interesting video comparing the Mk2 and Mk3 Delanair AC units. One of the flaws with the Series 3 model that had this AC system installed, was not having the option of fresh ambient air to come into the car, which the non-AC cars did have (opening the windows or sunroof at highway speeds is not always pleasant with wind noise and draughty). Has anyone done a retrofit of either a) installing a Mk3 unit into an early Series 3 which did not come from the factory with AC, or b) replacing a Mk2 unit with a Mk3 unit in an early Series 3? What needs to be done to achieve this, as I have two early Series 3 cars (1982 XJ12 no factory AC and 1983 XJ6 with factory Mk2 AC) which I want to install the Mk3 unit in, as the Mk3 unit is quieter in its operation with not having all the noisy servos that the Mk2 unit has. Is the Mk3 unit as fitted in the 1987 onwards XJS exactly the same as in the V12 Series 3 models from 1987?

[@vincentbarnes7839]

Should i leave the air conditioning in my turned on all the time even in the winter adam

[@parrotraiser6541]

There's more complexity in that machine than in all the systems in an entire car from the 1960's.

[@rsdindustries3893]

The heat switch turns the fans on at 40 degrees celsisus. FYI

[@annahopp]

I am still not sure whether this Delanair system is a Pandora's box or lucifer's tomb. But now you got me curious and I will have to find a Delanair MK II manual somewhere. Anyways, I am still convinced the thing is possessed. :-)

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Seems like omicron knocked at your door. Rest as much as you can and take it easy!

[@Saaketti]

It is not needed to have ac on all the time. If car is dry iside it doesn't need to dry air. Ac is great to reduce moisture from air yes. But prolonged usage will throw user in to the loop of bad ac odor and clensing that off. Wink wink, ac wont run when temperature is less than +5c or thereabout. :) If manucturer made the system so that ac is on allday all night, there is massive design fault. I have seen this done few times..