Air Conditioner Performance

[MichaelJ]

I fired up the A/C today - first hot-ish day to date. The A/C output was pathetic - barely cool (I need to take a temperature measurement).

Comments from others in hot climates? How does it compare to a "standard" A/C? My feeling is that it's going to go to the dealer, but if it's the nature of the beast, I won't bother.

TIA

Michael J.

[bradgarbus]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

I fired up the A/C today - first hot-ish day to date. The A/C output was pathetic - barely cool (I need to take a temperature measurement).

Comments from others in hot climates? How does it compare to a "standard" A/C? My feeling is that it's going to go to the dealer, but if it's the nature of the beast, I won't bother.

TIA

Michael J.

I test drove a passion at the dealer for several miles, about a mile from the dealer we had to turn it off it was so cold.

Did you let it run for a while to see if it improved?

I am getting the black leather, I can imagine that is going to be rough in the summers here in VA... OUCH!

[robotbill]

Believe it or not it got a bit hot here in Cleveland our A/C worked fine but what also helped was pulling the sun screen overhead in the roof.

[bottlerocket]

pull the sunscreen

use the recirc feature

turn the temp down to at least 68

use at least the third speed

[timhood]

I had an issue with another brand vehicle where the A/C wasn't very cold. I read up on it and the general answer was that there was probably not enough refrigerant in the system. I took it into the dealer, they checked and added more and the temp at the vent dropped by more than 10 degrees. I used a portable electronic meat thermometer to check my temps. You might want to check yours (stick the probe into the vent). I would think the temperature readings should be in the 40's with the fan setting on 2 or 3 and the temperature control at the coldest setting.

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by timhood

I would think the temperature readings should be in the 40's with the fan setting on 2 or 3 and the temperature control at the coldest setting.

Thanks for the replies - I was thinking low charge, but wanted a bit more info than just one car.

Output temps should be around 55F for a 134a system. R-12 (RIP) would get a bit cooler.

[Smartfor2guy]

Mine will frost your bollocks off!!!!!!!

[Dunerunner]

MichaelJ

Your output temp will be relative to the return air temp. You should get ~20 deg. of temperature differential across the cooling coil.

[timhood]

I tested my other car on days of appx 90 degree temps outside. It's an R134a-based system. An output temp of 55 degrees is unacceptably too warm, even for 134a. I'll test the smart's vent temps when it warms up enough to get a valid reading.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

Thanks for the replies - I was thinking low charge, but wanted a bit more info than just one car.

Output temps should be around 55F for a 134a system. R-12 (RIP) would get a bit cooler.

Our Canadian cousins have had a real battle with their air-cons. Leaking seals, cracked lines etc. Trip after trip back to the dealer, but only short term fixes.

They too, are new to the NA451 and most failures posted so far have been on on the CDI 450. However, the problems may have been caused by the long line runs back to the rear engine, so this may start happening in our cars too.

Many lose the juice over the winter. Search this site for more on our air-cons. A2Jack