Hi chaps, I had been having a perplexing issue with the air con which was perfect with the vehicle in motion but only blowing ambient air at standstill - had it re gassed with little effect and was told it was probably the compressor - thank god for extended warranty!

Anyway they have the car in today and have come back telling me that a valve in the compressor has failed which - in case this means anything to anyone - means that the low pressure line is now running at high pressure.

My knowledge of a/c systems is limited.

The warranty company will pay for the labour and valve replacement but if that doesn't sort the issue the dealership will have to remove the compressor again - at their own cost - and the warranty company will pay for a new compressor. Given how buried a compressor is on a 4.4 TDV8 that seems like a huge job to have to do twice.

Anyone care to comment on the logic of that, or the valve in the compressor that they are talking about.

Thanks
David. 2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand

Does it get cold if you rev the engine whilst at standstill?

Yes - Most likely the compressor
No - Condenser (start by checking fan(s)) Regards,
Mick

'Bertha' - 2014 SDV8 Autobigraphy
'Vincent' - 2010 TdV8 Vogue SE
- 'Molly' - 2005 HSE Auto
'Dixie' - 2000 D2 Td5 ES

Spooky - slightly colder but only very slightly.

Interestingly the condenser doesn't seem to have a fan on the 4.4 TDV8 2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand

There will be a fan for the engine rad. Is it running ?

Yes the viscous (main engine/radiator) fan was running but there is no specific condenser fan......

Anyway just in case anyone ever has the same issue the problem turned out to be a valve in the compressor which was allowing the low pressure side of the circuit to run at high pressure - dealer changed the valve - including removal and refinement of the compressor which looks like a tough job on a 4.4 TDV8 under the extended warranty....... thank goodness!

All good now. 2016 (L405) Autobiography in Black with Ivory - for ULEZ
2014 (L405) VSE in Black with Ivory
2011 (L322) VSE in Black with Ivory
2005 (3.2 V6) Porsche Cayenne in Black with Savanna
1999 (P38) VSE in Burgundy (?) with Sand