Air Conditioning

Mike SX · **July 10, 2010, 18:21:39**

Does anyone know whether the output of the A/C differs in hotter/cooler climates than the UK.

In the present temperatures of approx. 30 deg. cent. the i30 (& the Wife's i20) are not particularly cold, compared to our other UK vehicles.

If so, would it be either the refrigerant, compressor power or condenser, etc.

Shambles · **Reply #1: July 10, 2010, 18:43:15**

Mine's not particularly cold either, but is a dammed site better than when I'd just had it "fixed"

(I think I had a blockage in the drier/evaporator which has suddenly cleared itself).

Here's a great quote from HonestJohn

Quote

The two main causes of failure are lack of gas (via leaks at the system seals) and component breakdown. Low refrigerant means low lubricant, which is contained in the refrigerant, and this can lead to seals drying out, thus losing even more refrigerant and leading to failure of the compressor.

Here's another great quote from the same webpage:

Quote

With a standard manually controlled a/c system you should leave the a/c on all the time, even if not using it to cool the car. You should also turn the system to full cold for ten minutes once a week – even through the winter if you can – in order to circulate refrigerant which contains lubricants for the system and its seals. Then switch to full heat through the same pipes to thoroughly dry them out. This gets rid of any moisture in the ventilation trunking where mould and bacteria might be accumulating.

Climate control systems, where the temperature is set by the operator should be left on all the time, as the a/c will be required to fine tune a reduction in temperature. The vehicle will decide for itself whether to engage the compressor or open the outside flaps and let in the outside air, which at 0 - 3c Celsius will have no moisture content anyway.

Mike SX · **Reply #2: July 10, 2010, 21:45:20**

Quote from: Shambles on July 10, 2010, 18:43:15

Mine's not particularly cold either

I don't think the black interior helps.....

Lorian · **Reply #3: July 10, 2010, 21:48:41**

Mine is pretty cold. Driving back from silverstone it said 26-28c outside, but I had to have the temperature up about 5 or 6 clicks not to be freezing with my (manual) aircon on.

Mike SX · **Reply #4: July 10, 2010, 22:09:36**

Quote from: Lorian on July 10, 2010, 21:48:41

Mine is pretty cold. Driving back from silverstone it said 26-28c outside, but I had to have the temperature up about 5 or 6 clicks not to be freezing with my (manual) aircon on.

That sounds pretty good, I set mine as cold as it will go.... It would be even warmer if the car had more passengers.
When we got home my Wife sat in the sun to warm up, I went and had a cold shower

Maybe it's just me, but I felt a lot cooler, and quickly in the XJ8.

Lorian · **Reply #5: July 10, 2010, 22:13:01**

It feeezes my hands really quickly, due to my hands always being directly in-line with the vents. Bit of poor design there.

I don't think it cools my feet very well when its set to blow downwards too.

Dazzler · **Reply #6: July 10, 2010, 22:46:21**

My aircon is really effective.. provided you cool the interior of the car down a bit by driving with all 4 windows open for a few seconds after parking in the hot sun..

2i30s · **Reply #7: July 10, 2010, 22:49:39**

Quote from: Dazzler on July 10, 2010, 22:46:21

My aircon is really effective.. provided you cool the interior of the car down a bit by driving with all 4 windows open for a few seconds after parking in the hot sun..

i also do this and it works a treat,also I've found the air is a lot colder if its on recirculate and not on fresh.

Lorian · **Reply #8: July 11, 2010, 08:27:37**

I dont use recirculate often, but am sure it would get way to cold then.

Don't forget a little boost to you aircon, if you don't have drinks in the glove compartment switch the aircon off in there.

2i30s · **Reply #9: July 11, 2010, 08:39:42**

Quote from: Lorian on July 11, 2010, 08:27:37

I dont use recirculate often, but am sure it would get way to cold then.

Don't forget a little boost to you aircon, if you don't have drinks in the glove compartment switch the aircon off in there.

yes, but it also lets in hot air when the heater is on.

agentr31 · **Reply #10: July 11, 2010, 09:11:58**

warm beer for the poms!!!

2i30s · **Reply #11: July 11, 2010, 09:17:56**

Quote from: agentr31 on July 11, 2010, 09:11:58

warm beer for the poms!!!

i forgot about that.

agentr31 · **Reply #12: July 11, 2010, 09:21:06**

lol *awaits flaming*

Mike SX · **Reply #13: July 11, 2010, 10:13:16**

Quote from: 2i30s on July 11, 2010, 08:39:42

Quote from: Lorian on July 11, 2010, 08:27:37
I dont use recirculate often, but am sure it would get way to cold then.
Don't forget a little boost to you aircon, if you don't have drinks in the glove compartment switch the aircon off in there.
yes, but it also lets in hot air when the heater is on.

I've tried it all, to no avail, so to give the aircon "a good start", I had better get my garage airconned

I wonder how the aircon copes with 5 up in hot climate, i.e. regular 40/50 degrees.

The i20 is a even worse.

Lorian · **Reply #14: July 11, 2010, 11:38:41**

I think most "Poms" prefer cold beer. Especially as we are getting a climate to rival Australia!

Most pubs you go into nowadays here usually have "extra cold" offerings

agentr31 · **Reply #15: July 11, 2010, 12:50:23**

LOL extra cold aye 18oC?

nah im kidding man i know you guys (and girls) dont drink luke warm beer!!

Dazzler · **Reply #16: July 11, 2010, 13:01:23**

Quote from: Interphase on July 11, 2010, 10:13:16

Quote from: 2i30s on July 11, 2010, 08:39:42
Quote from: Lorian on July 11, 2010, 08:27:37
I dont use recirculate often, but am sure it would get way to cold then.
Don't forget a little boost to you aircon, if you don't have drinks in the glove compartment switch the aircon off in there.
yes, but it also lets in hot air when the heater is on.

I've tried it all, to no avail, so to give the aircon "a good start", I had better get my garage airconned
I wonder how the aircon copes with 5 up in hot climate, i.e. regular 40/50 degrees.

The i20 is a even worse.

It is quite strange because on the couple of days I have driven in 38c heat since I got my CRDi the Air Con was faultless ..

agentr31 · **Reply #17: July 11, 2010, 13:26:46**

mine is freezing... but i havent owned long or driven it on a truley hot day yet...

eye30 · **Reply #18: July 11, 2010, 13:29:59**

Checked mine this am.

Outside was showing as 16 C

Inside. well frost appeared on the window screen

ps was Cold, very cold!

Mike SX · **Reply #19: July 13, 2010, 12:22:41**

Quote from: eye30 on July 11, 2010, 13:29:59

Inside. well frost appeared on the window screen

19 deg. outside. Stood XJ8 and i30 together, ran engiines for 10 mins both with air con on, used a digital temp. gauge directly on face vent output. (& drawing air in).
Results: XJ8 4 deg. & i30 6 deg. XJ8 can frost up the windscreen at 25 deg. i30 cannot

bumpkin · **Reply #20: July 13, 2010, 14:35:11**

Yep, mine goes very cold too, usually accompanied by Kim reaching for the temp dial

"But darling you look fine to me"

Mike SX · **Reply #21: July 13, 2010, 14:47:39**

Quote from: bumpkin on July 13, 2010, 14:35:11

Yep, mine goes very cold too

I must have been medically re-formatted (acclimatised) at Echt & Sullom Voe, never needed aircon 'til then......

bumpkin · **Reply #22: July 14, 2010, 09:21:28**

Quote from: Interphase on July 13, 2010, 14:47:39

Quote from: bumpkin on July 13, 2010, 14:35:11
Yep, mine goes very cold too
I must have been medically re-formatted (acclimatised) at Echt & Sullom Voe, never needed aircon 'til then......

Yep, you know what I mean when I have a chortle at the ozzies complaining about 12C being cold, it's midsummer here and today it's 13C, sheer luxury