Strange Ac issue not blowing cold.

[hayesy34]

Hi All, Thanks for having me on the forum. First time posting here. I need a little help as mines slightly different to all the other AC issues here before some one slams me for not reading other posts. Cars a zt 1.8 120 2003.

Got a small issue with the AC starting to drive me insane. Cut a long story short, AC wasn't blowing cold enough, Had it re gassed, Perfect Outside gets to 28+ and cool air starts dropping off to 14c at the vents. Take it back, guy says the compressor is naff. Ok so i buy a genuine Mg/rover Compressor and a new condenser/Dryer at the same time. Have the system recharged with 500g. Worst then ever now, no cool air at all. Garage says my new pump I just fitted isn't pumping properly. So off I go and get another while I wait for that to be returned. New pump fitted/recharged at a different garage and still the same not cold. I then replace TXV valve thinking it must be clogged. Re gassed with 450g. Slightly better, but 11.5c at the vents. Compressor running, Fan works on the condenser, No leaks, HVAC works fine (manually checked the blend flaps). At this stage I am getting a bit fed up being fobbed off, So I hooked up my gauges and checked the H/L pressure. outside temp at the time was 28c. Low pressure came in at 31psi and high 225psi. I am at loss as these seem normal looking at the R134a chart.
does any one have any ideas before I have to pull the dash out to check the Evaporator.
#
The fan works on the two stages, Low and high as I think the petrol model only has two stages not 3 like the diesel?

Thank you

[SD1too]

Hello Lewis,

As Arctic said in the other thread, you have covered a lot of ground already and probably unnecessarily spent a lot of money.

It's not a good idea to try to cure faults by systematic renewal of parts in the hope that things will improve, so don't pull the dash out to check the evaporator. Instead, book a visit from a mobile self-employed automotive air conditioning specialist who will have the equipment and experience to reach a proper diagnosis.

Just for your information, the 1.8 engine has a 2 speed fan as you've observed. The V6 and diesel originally had 3 speeds but later in production these too were changed to 2 speed.

Simon

[hayesy34]

Hey Simon,

Thanks for your reply also, its fairly difficult to find an Ac specialist where I live for some reason, the last two places I mentioned were meant to be specialist in AC but as you can see I haven't had much luck. I don't mind spending it if its needed, tbh the condenser was starting to drop its fins (if that's what they are called) but i just hate being advised to change parts because someone cant be NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- to diagnose it properly. The garage who told me to get a new pump said they want to start taking all the electrical items part and testing them. But I already know these are working. personally i dont think they have run the vac long enough. the whole thing only took 40 mins.

I have found an ex rover Specialist about an hours drive from me so I am going to go and see him on Thursday. He sounded a bit miffed why it wasn't blowing cold when I told what had been done. He thought maybe the garage has ended up putting to much oil in the system.

I found an access panel under the glove box to the evaporator and I could see the evaporator looked like new. (nothing on the outside blocking it anyway). but the evaporator was only getting to around 4c. as my 1989 range rover I converted to r134a from r12 gets to around -4c.

i will let you guys know the outcome on Thursday.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by hayesy34

... the evaporator was only getting to around 4c ...

I'd say that is correct Lewis. It's the air temperature that you would expect from the vents with a properly working system.

Which prompts a question! With the temperature controls set to "Lo" on both sides, what output air temperature are you getting?

Simon

[hayesy34]

on low I used to get around -1.5 (same as my discovery 2) but now i am lucky if i can get 9c when its 18c outside. but now its warmer around 12c. strangely the faster i drive the warmer the vents get. so at idle its the best. Very odd
Oh and the low pressure pipe isnt that cold. it used to be sweaty as I call it when it was working ok.

[SD1too]

My best guess Lewis is that you have a low refrigerant charge as it's leaking somewhere. You need an air con. specialist to do a nitrogen test. I think you're going to have to head into Southampton. Try this one in Eastleigh or this one in Romsey or this one who will travel to Salisbury.

Simon

[hayesy34]

Cheers Simon, I will let you know how I get on.

[dave lincs]

I would say the condenser is falling apart and not cooling properly and may also have a slight leak

[Arctic]

HI Dave.
OP says he as bought a new a genuine Mg/rover Compressor and a new condenser/Dryer at the same time, after someone said it was condenser?

So something else is going on.

[hayesy34]

Hi Dave/Arctic,

Yeah the old one was starting to drops its fins so i replaced it anyway.

Booked in tomorrow morning to see what's going on. but It hasn't lost any pressure/gas so I don't think its leaked. Its had some dye added but i cant see any joints leaking. I replaced all the O rings while it was apart anyway. I also went round with some soapy water on the joints but looked sealed.

Keep you posted tomorrow.