Aircon Not Freezing Cold

[maneesh]

Dudes,

It's damn hot today, and even at 16.0C the aircon seemed to be struggling to keep the interior cool. I seem to remember the cold air that blasted out of the vents at the coldest settings would be freezing cold. The car is ok on warm days (20-25C), but when it's really hot, I notice things don't seem right.

Does it sound like simply a regas?

Ta very much,

Neeshy

[will_uk]

Hi Maneesh,

I have been enjoying the lovely cold air in my '94 LS400, set at 20c with an outside temperature reading in the 30s, it is cool B). :P

(Sorry, couldn't resist that!)

Anyway, regarding your problem - a couple of questions:

Has the air-con always worked in the past

How often do you use it? Does it get used in the winter?

Have you had it "re-gassed" before?

The reason I ask is that an air-con system is a sealed, high pressure system. They should be air tight, and should never need re-gassing unless you have a leak.

The trouble is these days, so many people re-charge air con systems without finding the fault first (small garages etc)

If the fault with your system turns out to be that it is "low on gas", try and find a reputable AC specialist that will not just fill it with gas so that it works for a few weeks/months. A competent place will diagnose the system properly, and repair the leak before re-charging. Will save you time, money and hassle in the long run :)

I hope it goes ok for you,

Will

[maneesh]

Thanks, Will.

I thought that over time as you use the car's a/c, then the refrigerant gas gets used up, and it requires regassing. I have regassed it twice now in 6 years.

Funnily enough, I set the climate control when the temp was much lower outside, and the air was so freezing cold I had to go up a few degrees! Hmmmm...

[eMJay]

I thought that over time as you use the car's a/c, then the refrigerant gas gets used up, and it requires regassing. I have regassed it twice now in 6 years.

I was under that impression too: if they weren't used regularly enough they would lose their charge over time, and would eventually need to be recharged (gassed).

I had mine recharged recently and it was pressure tested first, then gassed, then UV dye added to check for leaks if problems arise in the future.

[Chris Skelton]

I read a guy saying that he ran his air-con at 20 all year round. You're supposed to run it regularly-year round- to keep the seals (-tempted to say FED here...seals/fed ...YES? )no! the seals need to be kept lubricated. Yes, the gas WILL leak out. There is no such thing as an airtight seal. Even at one molecule at a time, gas will escape!

One thing I DIDN'T know is that the (Ser 3, but poss your old banger too! ) has TWO radiators! Twins.

The front one, which unfortunately gets any damage from grit etc!- is the air-con one. If it looks a bit scrappy-say near the bottom, its possible that the gas can get out.

Look back at other topics on this subject (cos I've written this before!!!) :yack:

[maneesh]

Interesting point you make there Chris. The mechanic has called me to say the front rad is completely shot and needs replacing. They are trying to source a reconditioned one if poss, since Lexus charge over 400+VAT for a new one!!!!

[dellstar]

I recently had my LS400 '93 checked over by cool-runners.co.uk - it didnt require a converter(good news) but the system had hardly any gas because of a tiny leak (apparently you can lose up to 15% a year) The system was fully re-gassed and it is like an icebox now! well worth doing.

[andy haw]

Sounds like the I could have the same problem.Had mine re gased and every thing was cool if you pardon the pun.Two weeks later no air con,complete loss of gas the extra gas i suspect opened up a exsisting small leak to a large one.Garage suspect air con rad but have not had it checked yet.If thats the case and no one knows any one in uk who could supply at a fair price I will try USA.

[flotsam]

If you want to save money there are a few options:

1) rip out the A/C and sell the bits to Maneesh,

2) sell the whole car and buy one without a/c thus saving a lot more than you would on petrol. If posing is all you want buy a Jag they're cheaper,

3) take a cold shower every few miles.

Moral of the story: Why buy an expensive car if you can't afford to use it?

[flotsam]

The a/c has a thermostat to control the temperature. It shouldn't matter if it's a little warm outside. There must be something wrong with your a/c. Mine's lovely and cool on hot days. Well that IS the point.

[maneesh]

If you want to save money there are a few options:

1) rip out the A/C and sell the bits to Maneesh,

2) sell the whole car and buy one without a/c thus saving a lot more than you would on petrol. If posing is all you want buy a Jag they're cheaper,

3) take a cold shower every few miles.

Moral of the story: Why buy an expensive car if you can't afford to use it?

Some folk are lucky enough to have money to burn, and others do not. I thought this was a forum that offers support to fellow LS owners, not ridicule them.

I'm not the only one on here who is trying to be practical when it comes to maintenance on older models which are not covered by warranty.

[andy haw]

Well well Flotsam nice to read that you are always as helpful with your advice.Lets set the record straight for you.I chose to own a mark 1 because I like them and happen to think they are the best looking Ls 400 and I happen to like spending lots of money on my car as I can afford too.

I thought one of the purposes of this club was to help each other and not to be as unhelpful as you are with your advice.

[flotsam]

That post was intended for another thread where someone was asking about fuel economy.

I was merely trying to make it self-evident that there's no point in spending money on an expensive car and then not using the features. It's like people who buy a car and put seat covers on. What's the point. You'd be better off buying an old jallopy and paying less in insurance, less in depreciation.

As for Maneesh, I think he's the one that's burning money but I know he likes to work on his car. As I've said previously when it's all running fine, he'll probably sell it.

[chips229]

Dudes,

It's damn hot today, and even at 16.0C the aircon seemed to be struggling to keep the interior cool. I seem to remember the cold air that blasted out of the vents at the coldest settings would be freezing cold. The car is ok on warm days (20-25C), but when it's really hot, I notice things don't seem right.

Does it sound like simply a regas?

Ta very much,

Neeshy

Hi Mate..

Whats the latest on your aircon?

I had the leaks fixed on mine and regassed and its working spot on...its been hot today and it was nice to just get back to the car and chill for a while...

The A/C had a small leak on my car and the gas was low,i found when all the vents were open that i didnt have cold air coming out of all the vents so may be your gas is getting low...

PM me if you want any info about where a good honest place to have it checked and repaired and regassed.

The firm quoted me around £330 for a recore on the rad,test and fix all leaks and regas the system...i was going to have the rad replaced and be done with it,in the end it didnt need replacing,there was a bad leak from a pipe near where the Battery lives...for a test,fix and regas i was charged £90...that was afew weeks ago and so far so good.

[squarehead]

Have you tried changing the aircon filter?

Us IS owners have the same problem and I recently changed my filter (from puravent by the way for £20) and it has made a huge difference.

Bit cheaper than forking out for a regas initially!

[eMJay]

Have you tried changing the aircon filter?

Us IS owners have the same problem and I recently changed my filter (from puravent by the way for £20) and it has made a huge difference.

Bit cheaper than forking out for a regas initially!

I know this doesn't necessarily help, but I was going to get the pollen filter changed on my Series I GS while it was in for a regas (there was no cold air at all) and then the parts person told the service people that my model doesn't have a pollen filter. I wouldn't have known otherwise.