Air Con What Next?

[MrT]

I am now wondering what on earth I can do next to solve my air con problems. I seem to have a leak that is intermittent and no one can find. I have had my system pressure tested, filled with dye, bubbles, sniffers and the leak just cannot be found.

 

This has been done by Ford dealers, my works van/truck depot and finally by a small independent specialist, who did not charge me as they could not find the fault. They had the trim out things stuck up in both the evaporators, pressure soak tests, UV lights, the car on the lift with the tray and trim removed, bits of the front off to expose the full condenser and absolutely nothing.

 

Last night I had another DIY go and put several cans in bit by bit until the pressure switch started cycling the system from overpressure and still nothing. I let a little gas out of the low pressure side to reduce the pressure to a safe level and after a few seconds, liquid refrigerant (with dye) spurted out. The air con suddenly started working again, but I know this will only last until the levels drop again. I cleared the pressure switch alarm and it was still working this morning with the air at 45F both front and back. At

[Masked Marauder]

Incidentally I have found that the EX Chill A/C Gauge GEZ-1, will not work properly on the low pressure side as the centre "prod" is either to thick or too short to depress the valve in the filler.

 

I made an extension piece for mine from nothing more than the end of a disposable ball point pen....

[tim-spam]

Just dropped my Alhambra off to have the rear bumper repaired (someone reversed into it a while back) and have a Zafira courtesy car. The aircon in the Zafira (brand new with 12 miles on the clock) is OK, but nowhere near as good as on my Alhambra.

[Andrew T]

During the last few days of heat wave I've been Defective Aircon spotting. Given that all Mk2 Sharalaxys have AC, I reckon 1 in 3 were being driven with their windows open - inevitably they were all early MK2s -it shows how common this problem is and suggests a lot of people can't afford or justify the expense of repairing it.

[Masked Marauder]

It may also show that people like the window down on a nice day.

 

How many with the window down were smokers?

[Guest BagPuss]

Well, mines in the garage having the Air Con looked at as we speak.

 

He's only just started on it, but was saying it had a little gas in it, but nothing that would make any difference.

 

So fingers crossed, it doesn't need too much than just a re-gas......wishing thinking me thinks :D

 

If not I'll be joining the many already driving with their windows open! :D

[raymac]

During the last few days of heat wave I've been Defective Aircon spotting. Given that all Mk2 Sharalaxys have AC, I reckon 1 in 3 were being driven with their windows open - inevitably they were all early MK2s -it shows how common this problem is and suggests a lot of people can't afford or justify the expense of repairing it.

 

could it be down to the fact that people think that using aircon has a massive effect on fuel consumption ,when according to the specialist who done my condenser last month and quite a few more i have read up on that if you leace aircon or cc on you will only increase fuel consumption by 2 or 3% but by having your windows down you increase the fuel consumption by as much as 10% :D aircon what a great invention :D especially if it works properly :D

[Andrew T]

It may also show that people like the window down on a nice day.

 

How many with the window down were smokers?

A fair point, but I didn't see any more recent models with their windows open (i.e those still in warrenty). This may also imply that those who smoke can't afford to buy a newer Galaxy.

 

I shall continue with my unscientific research, I'm working on Voyagers now.

[raymac]

Just dropped my Alhambra off to have the rear bumper repaired (someone reversed into it a while back) and have a Zafira courtesy car. The aircon in the Zafira (brand new with 12 miles on the clock) is OK, but nowhere near as good as on my Alhambra.

 

last year in france had a a renault scenic grand 7 seater courtesy car as mine (passat) went tits up, it had air con and with only a few thousand on the clock it was not very cold at all, maybe that's why the gals , allahs and the dubs keep breaking down they are working to hard to keep us cold :rolleyes:

[Masked Marauder]

I have done some research on Voyagers! I concluded that the average driver is a to**er :rolleyes:

[Andrew T]

Regarding the Fuel consumed the AC, I remember some tests in Autocar many years and they concluded (forgive me for not being sad enough to remeber the exact figures) that running the AC used a bit more fuel than having the windows and sunroof open. Having watched my fuel consumption meter like a Hawk for the last couple of years, the only time I've noticed the AC causing high fuel consumption is during intial cooling down on very hot days, once the car is cooled the difference is fairly small.

 

Incidentally, a top tip for cooling the car quickly is to switch the recirculation to on, so the AC is cooling already cooled air, set the direction to control to floor and open the windows a couple of inches. The cold air then builds up from the bottom of the car pushing the hot air out through the windows, give 5 minutes then close the windows and switch off the recirc'.

[raymac]

Regarding the Fuel consumed the AC, I remember some tests in Autocar many years and they concluded (forgive me for not being sad enough to remeber the exact figures) that running the AC used a bit more fuel than having the windows and sunroof open. Having watched my fuel consumption meter like a Hawk for the last couple of years, the only time I've noticed the AC causing high fuel consumption is during intial cooling down on very hot days, once the car is cooled the difference is fairly small.

 

Incidentally, a top tip for cooling the car quickly is to switch the recirculation to on, so the AC is cooling already cooled air, set the direction to control to floor and open the windows a couple of inches. The cold air then builds up from the bottom of the car pushing the hot air out through the windows, give 5 minutes then close the windows and switch off the recirc'.

 

when i asked my specialist :rolleyes: how best to run cc he said let the heat escape from windows etc then put on full hammer at lowest then when runninng cooler/cold use recirc and leave recirc on as it will make system run with a lot less strain as you are (as you said) already cooling cold air :lol:

[Masked Marauder]

Recent research by Volvo trucks has shown that with HGV Cabs aircon uses less fuel than having the windows open. All Volvo trucks now come with climate control.

[delboyt]

hi guys

thank's for the advice on running the air con with

windows down 2 ins etc

will give it a try next time i'm out in her

the air con runs fine on my mk1 97 model but

i mostly open the windows as the aircon dries the air out & tend's

to make me cough & it's not good for peeps like

my son that has asthma.

[Andrew T]

There is an article in this weeks Auto Express which concluded that using the the Airconditioning on a Zafira increased the fuel consumption by 5.1%

They also tested the effect of using a rear mounted cycle carrier and found it increased consumption by 13%.

[El Dingo]

Yes, but does the cycle carrier keep you any cooler? :rolleyes:

[raymac]

Yes, but does the cycle carrier keep you any cooler? :blink:

 

Only if you are sitting on one of the bikes that is loaded to the said carrier :rolleyes: :( ;)