Hi.

This sounds like it's an aftermarket-type or dealer install system,
rather than a factory installed system.

That being the case, and the capillary tube info you reference in your
next post, I would do this:
1) Take the control with capillary tube pieces to an appliance parts
distributor for a matchup.
2) Look on www.iatn.net for a technician in London, or post on the
forums there. (if you cannot post, email me and I can post for you,
I'm a member)
3) As far as regassing: Dunno what the regulations are in jolly old
England about R-12 refrigerant, here in the US the stuff is no longer
available to the hobbyist trade, only to certified pro's. I would NOT
use the "drop-in replacements" for R-12, the only way I would
substitute would be to put R134A in, that will require a new or
overhauled compressor, all new orings/seals and a new receiver/dryer
or accumulator.

Feel free to email me for more info if you wish.

Regards

Jase

(B.) wrote in message . com>...
> Hi,
>
> I have just got around to removing the air conditioning from my donor
> 1275cc A-Series MG Metro. It has the same engine as the Mini and the
> air conditioning is a "Unipart" (Austin's accessory supplier)
> aftermaket unit so it is quite universal. It is about 20 years old and
> the guy I bought the car from said it needed regassing as it doesn't
> chill.
>
> I'll say straight away that I'm no expert in A/C but I very carefully
> removed the system and have it ready for installation except for a fly
> in the ointment.
>
> On the dash there is a screw on control unit with 2 rotary controls,
> one for fan blower speed, the other for temperature (you hear it click
> when it turns through the position of the current ambient
> temperature). My first problem occured when I unscrewed this and
> lifted it slightly from the dash - at that point I heard a really
> faint hiss (for about 2 seconds). When I lifted the unit further I
> noticed it had a small diameter pipe (probably copper, around 1/8"
> section) which was crushed at the point where it goes into the rotary
> control - unfortunately it has subsequently severed. The other end of
> the pipe goes into the main centre console ac fan unit with no unions
> anywhere and is about 4 foot long.
>
> When I unscrewed the main rubber plumbing pipes from the engine to the
> interior ac fan unit, there was no hissing at all so I assume there
> was no gas present.
>
> If you're still with me, I have the following questions based on this:
>
> - Is it possible to fix the controller (it really has severed flush
> with the temp control unit with not much to play with)?
>
> - Can I get a universal replacement which would join onto the end of
> the pipe?
>
> - Is this pipe's system continuous with the main refrigerant system -
> ie if I re-gas the system, will it leak out from this point or is it
> indepandant and just for temperature control
>
> - Can the a/c operate without the temperature control if I solder up
> the pipe (ie. just continuous output)
>
> - In general, what's involved in regassing the system afterwards (and
> does anyone know of a service centre that they would recommend around
> SW London)
>
> Any help in these areas (or general advice) would be most appreciated,
>
> Cheers,
> E.