Air con not cold

Craftylee

Hey all,

I noticed after this weekends hot weather that my cars air con isn't blowing nice cold air.

I got one of those re-charge kits from Halfords thinking its likely just low on refrigerant, but the pressure is well within the green, I believe it was around 40 PSI.

I tested the temps and its blowing about 75 degree F - from my understanding good air con should be around the 40 F range.

The compressor is kicking on and the compressor fan is working. Any suggestions or would this need a garage to look at?

Thanks

Atlantic Dawn

What car is it?
Do you know if the AC clutch is engaging when you turn it on? If you have a look at the compressor you should see the clutch engage when AC is turned on, follow the fan/serpentine belt to where it meets the compressor to see this. Here's a video of it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtxBIet63iA

Craftylee

Hi Atlantic Dawn,

Yeah the AC clutch is kicking on and off as it normally should

Car is a 09 Fiesta

rex-x

There is no way of telling if the charge is ok with a halfords can, it needs to be measured on both high and low sides to get any sort of idea, the static low pressure is meaningless! Get yourself in for an aircon regass by a pro, its cheap and they will tell you if there is a leak etc.

Atlantic Dawn

Do you think any chilled air at all is coming in to the cabin, if you were to turn off the ac and just turn on blower is the air coming out the same temp as when ac is on?

Do you know when the pollen filter was last changed? A heavily blocked filter could reduce air flow through the vents.

Craftylee

Yeah the temp does go down with the air con on - it's just not nice and cold like it should be, it still has that warm feel to it. I recently changed the pollen/cabin filter myself so that isn't the issue.

Atlantic Dawn

I'd say bring it to someone to have a look at the pressure in the system, if your in Dublin, I've used this guy in the past and he knows his stuff...http://www.autoaircon.ie/

Thread here mentioned him...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057469494

biko

Craftylee wrote: »

I tested the temps and its blowing about 75 degree F - from my understanding good air con should be around the 40 F range.

99% of the world use Celsius, Ireland uses Celsius, you should use Celsius

Radfix in Liosban is recommended before, ask to get it tested before you re-gas.

mikeecho

biko wrote: »

99% of the world use Celsius, Ireland uses Celsius, you should use Celsius

Radfix in Liosban is recommended before, ask to get it tested before you re-gas.

mikeecho

OP: do you use your A/C on a daily basis or only on hot days ? just curious

(i have mine on the entire time , sun rain, hail or snow)

Craftylee

mikeecho wrote: »

OP: do you use your A/C on a daily basis or only on hot days ? just curious

(i have mine on the entire time , sun rain, hail or snow)

Nah I only use it when it's hot... which in Ireland isn't very often. I probably last had it on a good few months back. Which at the time I remember it being nice and cold...

But after researching it seems air con should be turned on at least once per month to keep everything lubricated etc.

Regarding the Celsius and Fahrenheit comments, yes but my little temp gauge thing shows in F and I cba to convert it :P

CJhaughey

Could be a dented and corroded condenser as well.
Its surprising what a very small amount of damage like dirty or blocked condenser fins can do to the pressure in an AC system.
I have seen where there is a 40 Psi difference when the new Condenser was fitted.