two thoughts / questions:

1. My local independent said they had to drop the engine cradle slightly to replace the AC compressor - does this make sense?
2. Would it be any easier with a lift? As I'm thinking of getting one anyway and it will (just) handle the weight of the RR.

Any thoughts on this:
On a hot day, air con takes a while to kick in. Then, intermittently it will stop blowing cold and go ambient(ish). If I then hit "Max AC" it cools again or if I ramp up the blower.
Valve issue?
I plan to get it tested as per WM procedures somewhere soon Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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mine is the same i am just weighing up if i go to all the effort to change the valve is it worth just popping in a new compressor 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

Although the valve on my compressor is sometimes slow to start,once it starts working,it keeps working correct.Low refrigent does what you have,works and the stop and you only get ambient,and after a while it comes back OK.First thing to do is have the gas checked. 2012 TDV8 Vogue SE 4.4

I think the general thought process is that if you are going to the trouble of stripping down to do the valve, you might as well fit a new compressor whilst you are there. Shouldn’t have to worry about it then....

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Cheers for the replies...I'll get it diagnosed. Good to know the fluctuation might be due to a leak.
 Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

Rob, I had mine serviced as it still had gas in it but had never been looked at. It was re-gassed about 6 weeks ago and no leak was detected. And i have to say when it comes on we all freeze!!
so i think it is this valve so i may just stump up and have a new compressor due to the fact it need to come out. 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

Mine was regassed about 2 years ago and no leaks were detected so I'm thinking it's new compressor time too  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Last edited by DrRob on 10th Apr 2023 8:52pm. Edited 2 times in total

System was drained and recharged. All good until machine asked for AC to be switched on.
Compressor didn’t do it’s thing as shown by readings being low.
Confirmed my suspicion that it was the compressor. Classic symptom of delayed air con at start up.
New compressor time https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/lr056364...4026-p.asp Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

My RR AC is all over the place. On hot days it seems to blow warm air. On rare occasions it might attempt to send some less warm air. On even rarer times it serves up some cold air. I've been reluctant to give the problem to my local fixer because of the spurious nature of the problem, but this thread has given me something to point at. Thanks a lot.

Tom - take it to www.glenrands.co.uk LR Techs and brand new air con kit Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Thanks for the advice Rob. I've used MES near Cranleigh and found them pretty good engineers, although they're not RR specialists. Do you think their specialist knowledge - particularly of RR AC problems - will trump my usual, go to garage?

Yes. Mines all fixed. New AC compressor and instant cold air
Tell Ross I sent you  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks Rob. I'll give him a call

TOmP - I sent you a PM. Check your PMs folder - link along top "brown" bar below the L405 and L322 above  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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