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Home > Maintenance & Mods (L322) > AC stopped but started working again.

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doclees

Member Since: 24 Jun 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 672

AC stopped but started working again.

On my 2k mile trip returning home my AC stopped blowing cold. I used just the outside air through the system but the volume was low even though it sounded like the blower was trying to move air. After about 1 hour the air flow opened up again so I tried the AC and it was back. Anyone have a clue what might have happened?

6th Aug 2016 5:34am

EmiratesA380

Member Since: 14 Jan 2015
Location: england
Posts: 350

2019 Range Rover SVAutobiography 5.0 SC V8 Aintree Green

Hey doclees

It would have worked then stopped on that particular day as your pressure in the system is too low - Atmospheric pressure causes variable pressure on the system ( Dubai 50C+ & Scotland 20C )
have you checked on the AC pressures ( the Hi & Low valve caps - inside engine bay )

Very easy to do - I expect your pressure in the system is too low - over time you will loose pressure. It must show a value in the green - never in the red - white is nearly empty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-GdCwRE5UI

http://www.aa1car.com/library/ac_recharging.htm

AC units need to be run all year round - the AC motors can seize and washers perish if not used

hope this is some help and pointing you in the right direction.

.

6th Aug 2016 8:39am

Clivefog

Member Since: 23 Aug 2015
Location: Bristol
Posts: 354

2003 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Java Black

EmiratesA380 summed that up nicely, thank you.

For those of us who do not have a guage just take it for a re-gas, DO NOT mess with it yourself as you could end up dead!

Oh and yes use it the year round, the best thing for demisting/icing there is, used with heated screen you are off down the road faster than Barry Sheen.

6th Aug 2016 9:41am

EmiratesA380

Member Since: 14 Jan 2015
Location: england
Posts: 350

.

Look Fella's -

This is one of the easiest jobs to do on the FF - its easier than changing the oil - in fact is so easy I do both cars every year around April time. Not a complete drain but a 20% new AC fulid fill - its that easy. - Drain some out - add some NEW.

Remember the Air Con fluid has oil inside - this oil is very special - it lubricates the O rings and the AC motor it self ! - WITHOUT IT YOUR SEIZED !

Now hear this - years ago I went out with a pretty gal who had a freelander - she had it from new and had never ever used the air con. As it was 4 years old when we meet, the air con did not work. A close inspection relieved it was 100% seized - so there you go if you don't use them on a regular basis they will seize.

Right - down to business.

1 This is my Air Con Gauge - very important piece of kit ( buy one from Halfords for around £25 - I offered to pay more but the Halfords chap said he couldn't take £100 for it - its that good )

On this pic you will see Temperature settings 65 - 110 Fahrenheit
NOTE: You must only check the pressure on a mild warm day - say around 18 C - ( NOT on a very hot day )
Connect the gauge onto the Hi port - then start the engine let it idle with the air con on full for around 5 minutes - the reading should be within the GREEN AREA and WITHIN the 2 large RED Lines - with the middle Red arrow pointing at the outside temperature. ( Ensure you know what the out temperature is don't guess ). - if in doubt ask your wife !!!

Click image to enlarge

The Air Con that were in OLDER CARS around the mid / late 1980's and 1970's did have a mid Mustard Gas in - and could not the handled by us mortals
In the mid 1990's all vehicles used a compliant Air Con Gas - and this you can buy the refill canisters from Halfords. Totally safe.

I suggest you go to Halfords and buy the kit - don't pay some else to do the job - they will not make such a good job as you can
If in any doubt - seek advice - I know we are all not "GUY MARTIN"

anyway - again hope this help

.

Last edited by EmiratesA380 on 6th Aug 2016 3:14pm. Edited 1 time in total

6th Aug 2016 3:12pm

doclees

Member Since: 24 Jun 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 672

Thanks folks. I haven't checked pressures. It was blowing so cold i just ASSUMED. It has enough charge. I'll do that today.

6th Aug 2016 3:13pm

unsolicited

Member Since: 30 May 2016
Location: London
Posts: 124

2017 Range Rover 5.0 SC V8 Mariana Black

Before everybody rushes out to Halfords please keep the following things in mind.

1) The compressor is variable displacement and the pressure highside/lowside is not a reliable guide to the state of charge in the system

2) You should charge by weight of refrigerant gas - which means removing what's there, pulling a vacuum with a pump, then recharging.

3) The machines at Kwik fit, etc. do this automatically, so even the 'technicians' there shouldn't be able to get it wrong.

So use a voucher/groupon/etc and get it done with a machine (unless you want to buy the equipment to do it properly)

6th Aug 2016 9:59pm

doclees

Member Since: 24 Jun 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 672

Checked the charge which was smack in the middle of the range. I was driving through some humid states. If I had the windows down and the AC on the vents would blow fog. Do our systems have a fail safe if it freezes up from being stressed?.

6th Aug 2016 10:51pm

EmiratesA380

Member Since: 14 Jan 2015
Location: england
Posts: 350

Quote:
The machines at Kwik fit, etc. do this automatically, so even the 'technicians' there shouldn't be able to get it wrong.

Well before every one rushes to Kwik Fit - a few years ago we have one of our DS4's done - and it was not a good job at all - (before I bought the kit)

What I am saying is go and look into this your self - its very easy.

If a easy job is easy - sometimes you can do a "PROPER JOB" ( as Guy Martin would say ) - better than and mechanic - and A PIECE OF MIND you have done it properly.
I have heard from Mechanics who I know - service cars, due to the time restraints in the workshops do not do all that's supposed to be done and I've heard this about 6 times now - so think on that one

Looks to me that some people have more a technical knowledge than others on here !

This Forum - is here to help others in need - remember that one !

7th Aug 2016 7:04am

unsolicited

Member Since: 30 May 2016
Location: London
Posts: 124

It wont freeze up. The expansion valve is thermostatic and only lets through enough gas to keep the evaporator at a stable (ish) temperature. The compressor then responds to the lowside pressure and tunes the amount of refrigerant pumped.

7th Aug 2016 7:06am

unsolicited

Member Since: 30 May 2016
Location: London
Posts: 124

Quote:
What I am saying is go and look into this your self - its very easy.

If you really want to do it properly yourself you need a manifold/gauges, recovery unit, and a vacuum pump. Also scales to measure the amount of refrigerant charged.

There is some leeway, but an overcharge isn't helpful to the performance of the system. Worst case if liquid refrigerant enters the compressor it will fail spectacularly. You can't tell the state of charge of a system with a variable displacement compressor by the pressures so just sticking in more gas puts you at risk of overcharging.

You should also note that these DIY charge kits put a little outside air into the system each time they are used (from the tube that connects the gas can to the charge port). This is not particularly helpful (as air cannot be compressed to liquid at the pressure / temperatures involved), and the moisture content can saturate the dryer and cause corrosion.

Anyhow - your choice. If the car is not worth much it might be worth it to get the aircon going.

7th Aug 2016 7:29am

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