Air Conditioning Issues

[V(35)Powarh!]

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to see if anyone else with a v35 coupe (mines 2004) experience problems with their air con?

Mine seems to work fine most of the times i use it whether it be on a 20 degree day or 28 degrees but it seems to stop working anything above 30 degrees?

Like it would start working for a while and then blow out hot air, and it seems to be more frequent when I come to a stop? it seems like it works then stops to recharge itself and then blow cold air again after maybe 10 mins or so?

Please advise what the problem could be? or is it cause its just too hot that the aircon stops running, that and cause its a black car? LOL annoying when im sitting in the car melting....

thanks

[Nightcrawler]

Sounds like one of both of your thermo fans is not working (or not working properly). I have a black 03 coupe and over 35 degrees the a/c will click off if I sit around idling for 10 minutes or more, but it is fine no matter what length of time I idle under 35 degrees. If your thermos are working, perhaps try getting some compressed air onto you radiator and your a/c radiator - the a/c radiator particularly could be full of bugs or dirt, and is not working effectively. Then get your gas checked - there is every chance your gas is low, thus reducing the effifiency of your a/c and making it work too hard - hence shutting off due to heat earlier than usual.

If it is stinking hot and I am planning on idling for an extended period (or the car is really hot), I will often pop the bonnet and pour/spray water out of a water bottle onto the a/c radiator - makes it work 100% better for a short period of time - the air comes out ICY.

[sonicii]

^^ what he said..

Sounds like the condensor isn't getting rid of the heat and the AC system is tripping off on high pressure. As Andrew said.. check thermo fans first.. then check the front of the condensor for bugs/leaves/sticks/etc..

[vee35]

makes it work 100% better for a short period of time - the air comes out ICY.

I would of thought the climate control would stop the air from dropping below 18deg?

[Nightcrawler]

I was talking a bit figuratively - on even a moderately warm day even 18 degree air feels veritably icy. But I realy have no idea what temp. the air comes out.

[sonicii]

Most systems will cool the air to around 3-5 deg when working well. The 18 deg minimum is the cabin temperature, not the temp of the air coming out the vents.

[LineItUp]

My grandfathers Mazda 6 was doing this recently...it was the cabin filter, at 166,000km it looked like something that came from the tip...

[V35_Paul]

I just tested my temp coming out of the vents and it's 13.4. My car was sitting in the carport and it's 33 deg outside.

Had the car runnig for 10mins then took the test.

[sonicii]

The system won't work as well at idle, and the air probably warms up a little between the evaporator and the outlet.. the temp sensor, post evaporator on my old J30 Maxima used to hit 4 deg.

[vee35]

About 10+ years back I had a car with air-con but without climate control. When I got the air-con re-gassed, the shop would test it with the windows closed and on re-circulate, and the temp coming out of the vents would drop to 4 deg. Things have definitely changed over the years...

[sonicii]

The V35 also uses a variable displacement compressor, so it can adjust the cooling power based on requirements. the older style compressors were just on or off.. full cooling power, or none at all, even if they had climate control.

[V(35)Powarh!]

Thanks for the suggestions/advice guys i will need to have a look at this when i get the chance.....

[V(35)Powarh!]

Hi guys i encountered a major issue yesterday i was driving the v35 coupe in 30 degree temperatures with the a/c on full blast and then o noticed smoke coming from the front right hand side of the engine bay and the temp gauge was at HIGH i opemd the bonnet and noticed the coolant fluid was bubbling.... could you please advise what the problem could be, i havent had the chance to take it to the mechanic as yet.... hope its an easy fix this is a result of the above issue i had previously with the ac thanks

[Nightcrawler]

Nope, nothing to do with your a/c sadly. Did you have enough fluid? Have you ever flushed the cooling system/replaced the fluid? Any hoses leaking?

[V(35)Powarh!]

I think coolant was changed roughly 10k ago? But through reserch there seems to be afew issuesthat could be the cause

Thermostat blocked? Fan clutch? Air bubbles? Fan? Condenser clogged i really want to know what the issue is so i can try amd fix it first rathen thn take it straight to the garage

[scotty nm35]

Mine did this when the head gasket blew but more than likely the coolant system was never bled properly. Where are you located?

[V(35)Powarh!]

Hey scott im in sydney.... So do you recommend coolant flush and maybe thermostat change? Hope its not a head gasket id die...... :s

[scotty nm35]

It is very hard to flush the coolant system, unless you know where the drain bung for the block is located. The thermostat isn't hard to remove and test, mind you the kettle doesn't get the water hot enough, you would need to stick it in a pot on the stove.

I would try a thorough system bleed, topping up the rear bleed point (heater pipe near the firewall) when cold, you may need to do it a few mornings to get all the air out. Beware, the bleed point is a plastic Philips head, and is very easy to strip.

[V(35)Powarh!]

best i leave it to the mechanic then, do you know what the exact issue im having?

[scotty nm35]

Not without the car here. If you want the system bled properly, see if Craig (Jetwreck) can help. Otherwise go to the mechanic, perhaps get him to do a carbon test on the radiator bubbles just to rule out the head gasket while you are there.

These engines are quite hard to bleed, most mechanics won't do it right. It can take a few days (hot/cold cycles and driving) to get all the air out.