Air Con Not That Cool - Re-gass?

[anotheruser]

In my car, the air con is cool but not really cold.
Does this require a re-gas and will that improve the temperature output?

[cheshired5]

In an ideal world, you use diagnostics to view all of the data from the climate module.
Incorrect temperature sensor data for example can cause problems on an otherwise working system.

In the absence of data, a regas is a reasonable guess and starting point but won't make a difference if gas pressure isn't the cause.

[green van man]

I have mine regassed every 2 or 3 years.
The gas also contains a lubricant that keeps the compressor turning freely.
No seal is 100% and over time there is bound to be loss of pressure.
Volvo also recommend regas every 3 years on my car.

There are many places that can do it. I use my local dealer and have had no problems. Others have used a local depot of a national tyre company and had nothing but trouble. My advise would be to take it somewhere you trust to do a good job and will stand by their work.

Paul.

[Zebster]

Originally Posted by anotheruser

In my car, the air con is cool but not really cold.
Does this require a re-gas and will that improve the temperature output?

The air coming out of my ventilation isn't as cold as previous cars I've had but overall it works fine. Hasn't got worse in the 3 years I've had it so I suspect that Volvo may have limited the cooling power for economy purposes?

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Zebster

The air coming out of my ventilation isn't as cold as previous cars I've had but overall it works fine. Hasn't got worse in the 3 years I've had it so I suspect that Volvo may have limited the cooling power for economy purposes?

None of my cars are new enough to have such technology, if it's not working, it's because it's broken.

Paul.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by green van man

None of my cars are new enough to have such technology

You'd be surprised.
Even my 2002 has a sun intensity sensor which can make the climate system react with a higher fan speed to compensate for intense direct sun.
There's quite a few ways that non-working ac doesn't mean you have a duff compressor or physical failure.

[Zebster]

Originally Posted by green van man

None of my cars are new enough to have such technology, if it's not working, it's because it's broken.

Paul.

You need to properly define 'not working'! Anything less than 100% of imagined performance?

I'm perfectly happy with my aircon despite noticing that other cars seem to produce noticeably cooler air. That doesn't mean that mine has a fault and maybe neither has the OP's?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by anotheruser

In my car, the air con is cool but not really cold.
Does this require a re-gas and will that improve the temperature output?

first of all you have to verify the temperature coming from the vents with a thermometer , on max cooling * if it is around 8C on a normal 20c day its fine ...

* max cooling is:
About half fan speed
Directed to dash vents
Recirculation on ...


The word re-gas is over used , the system is sealed and if you have to have that done every 3 years there is a leak . no question about it..

Since the new AC handling laws 10 years ago it is illegal to simply refill a system , it must be checked for leaks first .. a vacuum test built into old machines was never suitable as the system works at about 200 psi not minus 14 psi ( vacuum ) the vacuum can suck a crack closed therefore any leak of that nature will not be detected ..
Oxygen free nitrogen is used to pressurise the system now to detect leaks with the aid of a soapy water spray bottle .

The weakest system from volvo was on the S40/V50/C30/C70 with the ford condensers which corroded .
The best models are the old S40/V40 of which many still have the original gas in ..

AC gas loss is not a problem for volvo generally ..

Yes I'm a qualified Automotive AC system engineer , you have to be now before you are allowed to work on Car AC Systems ..

[Forg]

Originally Posted by Clan

first of all you have to verify the temperature coming from the vents with a thermometer , on max cooling * if it is around 8C on a normal 20c day its fine ...

Yep. The '82 240GLT I got from Dad when neither of us managed to sell it for him had pathetic anaemic aircon; but it wasn't the cooling system itself, as it'd push out 1°C air on a 35°C day no problems at the vent. The problem was in the ducting or the fan itself.

[V40T4R]

Originally Posted by Clan

first of all you have to verify the temperature coming from the vents with a thermometer , on max cooling * if it is around 8C on a normal 20c day its fine ...

* max cooling is:
About half fan speed
Directed to dash vents
Recirculation on ...


The word re-gas is over used , the system is sealed and if you have to have that done every 3 years there is a leak . no question about it..

Since the new AC handling laws 10 years ago it is illegal to simply refill a system , it must be checked for leaks first .. a vacuum test built into old machines was never suitable as the system works at about 200 psi not minus 14 psi ( vacuum ) the vacuum can suck a crack closed therefore any leak of that nature will not be detected ..
Oxygen free nitrogen is used to pressurise the system now to detect leaks with the aid of a soapy water spray bottle .

The weakest system from volvo was on the S40/V50/C30/C70 with the ford condensers which corroded .
The best models are the old S40/V40 of which many still have the original gas in ..

AC gas loss is not a problem for volvo generally ..

Yes I'm a qualified Automotive AC system engineer , you have to be now before you are allowed to work on Car AC Systems ..

I can confirm my old 1999 V40 have the original gas, still cool in the sun here in Portugal