Strange Ac Problem

The-Acre · June 7, 2015

I wonder if anyone can offer advice on this.

Just lately my AC hasn't been blowing as cold as it should until I put my foot down fairly hard. I had it vacuum checked and re-gassed last week, the guy pointed out that it takes about 300 grams more gas because it has the rear AC, so that was encouraging that he checked the info properly.

The vacuum test was OK but it still didn't blow colder until I accelerated hard. This morning again I put the AC on when I went out but it just blew warm-ish. When I got to the open road I floored it and the AC blew ice cold and stayed that way, even when I got back in town.

The compressor clutch always engages straight away, and it's just had a new pollen filter so the air flow should be OK, any ideas?

Thanks

ColinBarber · June 7, 2015

Is the drive belt tight, the pulley could be slipping? Are the fans running when the AC is on? Is the condenser restricted in any way from your transmission cooler?

The-Acre · June 7, 2015

Is the drive belt tight, the pulley could be slipping? Are the fans running when the AC is on? Is the condenser restricted in any way from your transmission cooler?

Thanks, Colin,

All the above are OK, in fact I did start to notice this happening even before I fitted the cooler.

AmbroseJohn · June 7, 2015

As the AC works better at higher revs, I'd be looking at slipping belts or compressor.

The-Acre · June 7, 2015

As the AC works better at higher revs, I'd be looking at slipping belts or compressor.

The belt seems fine. What I don't understand is the way it seems OK after it's been driven fast, even when I go back to town driving. Revving the engine doesn't do it, it seems to be the airflow at speed. Sounds daft, but its almost as if it clears something with air rushing through it, but that surely can't be the case. Like I said, a strange one.

The-Acre · June 13, 2015

As the AC works better at higher revs, I'd be looking at slipping belts or compressor.

The belt seems fine. What I don't understand is the way it seems OK after it's been driven fast, even when I go back to town driving. Revving the engine doesn't do it, it seems to be the airflow at speed. Sounds daft, but its almost as if it clears something with air rushing through it, but that surely can't be the case. Like I said, a strange one.

Wouldn't you know it, 27 degrees on Thursday with a 70 mile drive, and a dog on the back seat, and the AC decides to completely pack up! I'm assuming it's the compressor so I've sourced one from a breakers. Oddly enough, on the way home today from our two days in the New Forest, I put my foot down, and I may (or may not, depending on who reads this) have done over 90 and the AC started working again, that is until I got to within 5 miles of home. I said it was a strange one!

The-Acre · June 17, 2015

Just one more on this if anyone has an idea. I bought a compressor from a breakers (they say it's in good working order) for a very good price, and it's being fitted next Wednesday. On the way home today the air con started working again for about 10 minutes, does that still sound like the compressor playing up, or should I be looking elsewhere?

AmbroseJohn · June 18, 2015

Old compressors used to have a clutch, which could slip. I don't know if they still do.

The-Acre · June 18, 2015

Old compressors used to have a clutch, which could slip. I don't know if they still do.

I'll get the replacement fitted anyway, at least it eliminates it (assuming it does work, it was only £50) it means I have to drive to London today in my wife's Corsa because it has air con and it's hot today!