Air Conditioning...i'm Curious.

[Guest paule230]

With all the postings concerning the failure of the A/C compressor and associated parts I'm wondering whether the high failure rate is due to lack of use?

 

A number of years ago Mercedes was aware that they were getting a high A/C failure rate due to people only using the A/C in the summer, so the system would seize up over the winter through lack of use.

 

They found a simple soulution. Instead of the button lighting up when you switched the A/C on, it would light up red when you switched it OFF instead. This way the A/C was on unless you switched it off. They also labled the button as "EC" (Economy).

 

They also mentioned in the hand book that the A/C should be left on unless slightly better fuel economy (hence EC on the button) was required but they didnt recomend it.

 

Since then the failure rate of it's A/C units dropped dramatically.

 

I never had my Merc's system recharged and it was 8 yrs old when I sold it and was still blowing cold.

 

I had my Galaxy's system recharged when I purchased it due to lack of gas. When I asked about the high A/C failure rate in Galaxys etc the Air Con man stated that 90% of the failures he's attended are due to the owners lack of use.

 

So I'm curious, those of you that have had a major failure eg: compressor seizing etc, how often do you use your A/C??

 

They recommend you should switch it on for at least 10minutes 3 times a month at the VERY least.

 

Regards,

 

Paul

[johnb80]

On my last 3 cars I have NEVER switched the aircon off, okay it uses slightly more fuel BUT I've never had any problems either. My Gal has it's temp set at 21 winter and summer and I have never felt the need to change the temp, it just seems to keep a nice comfortable condition within the cabin.

 

Regards - John

[cochapman]

I've heard this many times before and it was certinly the cause of failure on my Volvo AC. The rubber o rings and seals need to be regularly lubricated (by the oil within the system) or they fail and obviously the refridgent leaks out.

 

Some of the recharge kits you can buy contain a "sealant" and others claim to "recondition" the o rings. I've no idea if they really work, or if it is all marketing hyperbole :blink:

[Masked Marauder]

We use the aircon with the air set to recircled to demist the car in the winter, so ours gets used almost every day.

[Ivor]

Mine is on all the time (for last 4 years).

 

My aircon started loosing gas after 18 months (turned out to be a leak in the evapourator) but has been fine since.

[Guest MATT]

...It does say in the manual, to run the aircon at least 30mins a month, I only use aircon when it is hot, so most of the year it is not used, and i think what Mercedes found out is true, the system needs its lubrication.

 

MATT

[Guest stawarz]

Ours is always left on Auto. Didn't stop the compressor dying back in April though.

 

The Volvo we had beforehand for 6 years never had a problem and was still colder when we changed than the Galaxy is now....

[Denis]

I leave mine in auto all year round and so far so good.

 

I'm not sure what happens in the winter months though- when the inside of the car is cold and you're relying on the heater to keep you warm, is the compressor running or not? Because if it's not (ie the a/c shuts down when cold air isn't required) then the system won't be getting much use during that period.

[Guest paule230]

So it seem's that those that regulary use the A/C generally have little problems. Food for thought :) .

 

Denis,

 

The A/C not only chills the air but also dry's the air (de-humidify). When during the winter you switch the A/C on, the air will get chilled but then get heated up as it passes through the heater matrix depending where the heater selector dial is placed. By doing this you then have a basic version of climate control but without the auto climate control panel flashing telling you about a fault :rolleyes:

 

The plus side to this is that you'll never get steamed up windows when it's raining or when like me you have 4 kids breathing down the back of my neck :( .

 

Just one more point the A/C normally will switch itself off when the outside air temp' is 5c or below.

[Guest MATT]

:rolleyes: :) :(

....so if i turn the hot/cold dial to hot, and turn on the AC, it will give warm DRY air?

 

Because ive always associated Air conditioning with Cold Air?

 

MATT

[johnb80]

:rolleyes: :) :(

....so if i turn the hot/cold dial to hot, and turn on the AC, it will give warm DRY air?

 

Because ive always associated Air conditioning with Cold Air?

 

MATT

Yes it will, quickest way to demist the windows as well.

 

Regards - John

[Guest MATT]

Yes it will, quickest way to demist the windows as well.

 

Regards - John

Super - will try it out.

 

MATT

[Bigjeeze]

That is my experience also - My wife's Galaxy (1997 Tdi) has had a new receiver dryer (accumalator) and the re gas since new and at 120k miles the Air Con is still going fine - Air con is always on even if only to de mist - It still retunrs 40mpg around town and 48-52 on a run.

 

My Galaxy (MK11) has 80K - I strill also alwaysleave air con on - but this one did have the usual CC faults - replaced Condenser, Comperssor etc (due I am sure to the incompetence of the workshop).

 

Always leave it on!!