Datatek
Well-Known Member
Not so, there are things called fans to propel air through the aircon condenser and RAD and there are also a pair of fans in the cab heater unit to propel cool air into the cab.
Yes, but it always seems to take longer if you're stationary.Not so, there are things called fans to propel air through the aircon condenser and RAD and there are also a pair of fans in the cab heater unit to propel cool air into the cab.
Ie. Start engine, set air to max cold it's not going to blow cold straight away, it might take a minute or 2. If the car is moving that's more air than fans can shift so will get cooler a bit quicker
Datatek
Well-Known Member
Low engine revs mean that the compressor is not functioning at full capacity. Of course it takes some time for the system to generate cold air in the cab from starting the engine, the latent heat in the pipes and heat exchanger has to be removed. I find mine works fine in traffic jams when the car is stationary.
Hadn't thought about engine revs!! I feel silly now
Datatek
Well-Known Member
You're not silly, you are thinking about things, we are all learning or at least it's better if we are
enjoi
Active Member
Alright quick follow up for anyone interested.
The mechanic did a vacuum pressure test for leaks but couldn't find any. They said the gas was quite low, enough to get the compressor going but not enough to make things cold. So they regassed it and put some dye in to assist in future diagnoses of any leaks.
They also said the compressor itself sounded like it was on its way out so they gave it a little oil.
Anyway with just the regas we're ice cold!!
So I'll look at replacing the compressor at some point before it completely fails but I'm otherwise very happy at the outcome and have cold air in time for the Australian summer
The mechanic did a vacuum pressure test for leaks but couldn't find any. They said the gas was quite low, enough to get the compressor going but not enough to make things cold. So they regassed it and put some dye in to assist in future diagnoses of any leaks.
They also said the compressor itself sounded like it was on its way out so they gave it a little oil.
Anyway with just the regas we're ice cold!!
So I'll look at replacing the compressor at some point before it completely fails but I'm otherwise very happy at the outcome and have cold air in time for the Australian summer
Nice one. Thrills or should that be chills all the wayAlright quick follow up for anyone interested.
The mechanic did a vacuum pressure test for leaks but couldn't find any. They said the gas was quite low, enough to get the compressor going but not enough to make things cold. So they regassed it and put some dye in to assist in future diagnoses of any leaks.
They also said the compressor itself sounded like it was on its way out so they gave it a little oil.
Anyway with just the regas we're ice cold!!
So I'll look at replacing the compressor at some point before it completely fails but I'm otherwise very happy at the outcome and have cold air in time for the Australian summer
It would be "Kwicko's mate" in Oz
P38 Monkey
Well-Known Member
As a suggestion, I would not look to replace the compressor unless it actually fails. Run the air-con at least once a week to keep the seals working and circulate the oil. As you say, they have put tracer dye in the system so if the pressure fades then they can see where the leak is. A tiny pinhole leak might take a week or more to affect the cooling, but if the pressure falls then the compressor clutch will not engage - there is an over-pressure / under-pressure dual switch in the system.
Datatek
Well-Known Member
Run the aircon all the time especially in winter to keep the electronics dry
P38 Monkey
Well-Known Member
I absolutely agree with that approach.
Question: in previous (less sophisticated) cars I would just put the heating on full and switch the air-con on, but how do I do that with the P38's climate control system? Easy enough to turn the air-con off, but how do you force it to stay on without freezing your butt off?
brianp38dse
Well-Known Member
If you press the program button on the hvac panel it puts it in to ultimate demist mode which has aircon on to dry the front screen as well as heating but will only stay on for 10mins.
P38 Monkey
Well-Known Member
Ah, I wondered what that did - thanks!!
brianp38dse
Well-Known Member
Datatek
Well-Known Member
As above. In addition I always run mine on manual as the random changes of blower speed and temperature on auto annoy me.
Got to agree with you there datatek 100%
