Finally, the armrest AC is not dummy anymore. The rear passengers can also be kept cool
BUT
I wouldn't call it a complete success! I do have some limitations. Why? Read on...
I had ordered the Air ducting parts from 99rpm. It took more than a month to arrive
They are nothing but two simple tubes. See the below picture. The two parts are mentioned as Air ducting
Today I went to Pride motors on 17th cross near KR road in Banashankari 2nd stage (Yes, he was open on Gandhi Jayanthi)
The guy there by name Harish was experienced with fiat and does a good job.
I had called Harish on 30th September and hence there was no need to explain more other than just showing him the ducts.
He first opened the armrest and the centre console. The below picture is what we saw.
Ducts going to the under-seat foot level air vents
The two tubes going sideways are for the under seat foot level AC vents.
They were detachable and we removed the two sideways going tubes and then it looked as shown in the picture below
Detached
There were two rectangular ducts from the centre console. But the air ducting had one single big rectangular opening at the end (as shown below)
We thought it will cover both the rectangular ducts.
While we were right to some extent, we observed that the single big rectangle in the air-ducting was way too big for than the 2 rectangular ducts put together.
That meant that sealing the airflow would be a tough job and it will not be a perfect fit. Sad.
Second biggest problem was that the single rectangular duct when positioned to fit onto the floor (as per design) would go over the two rectangular vents from the centre console. That meant that the air ducting is not going to fit at all. Very sad.
We looked at all the parts to observe what all other parts I would need from the linea bin.
Turned out that the flap unit (the unit which diverts the air to foot of face or both or the demister depending on the knob position) was the difference and it was a single piece and that would be too expensive.
We had hit a roadblock!
So I asked Harish to put back everything like how it was earlier and I told him that I would come back with the necessary parts no matter what the cost was.
But he was not ready to give up. He asked me the cost of the ducting...I told it was approx 500 each and 1000 INR in total.
His next question was if I was ready for an alternate idea and if I was ready to experiment. I asked him what was in his head.
He told me that if somehow we could connect the two rectangular ducts to this side of the air ducting, we would succeed.
He told me that it will involve cutting of the newly ordered parts and if this “fix” (jugaad as many would call it) doesn’t work, we may lose the console side ducting.
I thought for a while...
1. The side of the air ducting that would need cutting is cheap (500 INR)
2. It was readily available if I want to order it again from 99rpm (waiting was a month was not an issue)
3. The flap unit and other parts from Linea was expensive
4. And I had no idea if it would be available (checked 99rpm n my mobile and found nothing)
With all these reasons, I gave a green signal to Harish to go ahead with the fix
First we had to find a connecting hose or pipe. Harish went to the store room and got two types of rubber Hoses. One was a straight and short corrugated rubber hose.
And the other one was a CV joint rubber boot that was a rubber corrugated and tapered hose
Hose CV joint boot
The smaller end of the CV joint boot was also cut to make an opening.
Both hoses were smaller in diameter compared to the air vents. This meant that we had to expand them and fit on to the vents. This was exactly what we needed because that would ensure an air tight seal.
We tried both and the CV joint boot was the better choice since the other straight hose would need bending and that would constrict the air flow.
So we positioned the ducting and marked a place to cut the ducting.
The aim was that the ducting should be cut which is in a straight line with two rectangular tubes so that the custom joining pipe/hose should be straight and not bent to enable neat air flow.
It was 6 Inches (we measured it) from the big rectangle side.
cutting in progress
Then this boot was connected. Just be doubly sure, Harish put cable ties to both ends.
Once connected, this is how it looked. I find this very similar to Ferrari F430’s engine
Fix-it F430
After that, it was reassembly time.
A foam cushion around the gear lever was removed to make way for the pipes. it is just placed there (no glue, no screw nothing)
We had another minor issue...The Hand brake boot was not fitting because of the new air ducting. Punto’s handbrake boot is a rubber one which is big and sits on the floor.
While the Linea’s hand brake boot is a polyester fabric type which just about the covers the handbrake and sits on the console. It is very similar to the gear lever boot.
I'll have to buy this part now
So I asked Harish to remove the boot and I will now have to buy that part.
Other than this, everything was a perfect fit The centre console and the armrest was fit back into place.
The hand brake boot thrown away...will have to buy Linea's Another view of the final arrangement
As was known, the rear AC will now only work when the direction knob is set to foot level. I’ll use the face and foot position for optimum cooling
Results:- The Armrest AC can be made functional
- The foot level AC vents under the seats will be gone
- If you are not willing to spend much money on it, it’s not a perfect fit and you’ll have to make a custom fix
- If you want a perfect fit and if you are willing to spend more, buy Linea’s flap unit (so that the armrest AC works even in “face” position)