Damn air con again I'm already £1000 deep help

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by iainmd

...
In terms of how often it's used, the car is left in Auto mode with A/C on permanently just like I've always done and my S40 was.

thanks for info
maybe that somehow is part of the problem? I think your AC is used more within 1 month than mine within last 3 years of ownership I dont mind driving with AC when its really warm, but on usual irish day its a bit pointless and even on T5 I can feel difference in power output with AC on so my default position is always AUTO+AC OFF.
Or its a engine / pre-fl combination as said above...

oh -btw was meant to ask - how is the condenser failure actually manifest itself? have it always been condenser issue for you 100% nothing else?
Im asking as its not uncommon for our AC to fail on compressor clutch wearout, actually that happened to me last year. Compressor was engaging for just few mins and then it would stop because of its clutch slipping but there was easy bushfix for that, however I guess condenser failure looks different?

[iainmd]

I've often been told that leaving it off does the compressor more harm than good as it doesn't lubricate if it's not run often enough. The S40 is testament that constant running should be no bad thing as nothing much ever went wrong with it. Similarly my Nissan Elgrand is now 13yrs old with perfectly cold aircon and it's 2 aircon units are run constantly albeit I only do about 6k per year in it.

Fundamentally, either facelift V50s (and likely S40s) or simply 1.6Ds seem more susceptible to condenser damage or failure.

The build quality took a cheap turn at facelift IMO. My 2004 S40 was solid, rattle free and felt quality to the day I sold it despite big repair bills for running gear in the last 3 of 13 yrs. The V50 rattles, squeaks and feels more tinny than the S40 and always has done but is not standing the test of time at all well.

The V50 has been condenser failure every time. It manifests itself by simply not blowing air colder than ambient outside temperature regardless of what you select. There are no errors of faults logged.

The S40 T5 did have to have its clutch gap adjusted once when the A/C failed to engage but that cost buttons and, as mentioned, was fixed with a small shim to adjust spacing.

[Welton]

Excellent £20.00 fix up there!

Although I had my compressor replaced once this was put down to a dodgy 're-gas merchant' not adding sufficient oil to the system.

Once I found someone who knows what they're doing (not easy) I am still running with my original (2004 dated) condenser!

The one thing I do religiously is clear away the leaf debris that gets trapped between the conny and the rad, this prevents acidic corrosion on the bottom edge of the aluminium. To be fair I've not had any stone damage which is surprising given the speed at which the stones will be hit.

[LizardOfBodom]

Welton - where exactly is that "leaf gathering space" ? pic if possible. I never thought of that actually however its possible I clear that up anyway as I tend to clean all s**t I find where it doesnt belong, especially in engine bay :>

ianmd - yes, I agree with rule of thumb to not leave AC off for too long, I cycle it every week even if I dont use it for that very reason. But driving with it ON when its not needed (for example if its 15deg outside and you have AC on for 20deg) makes no sense to me as it strains your car a bit more with constantly engaged compressor so apart from increased fuel consumption it (most importantly ) takes few hp off the car so all things considered - I am not using it unless its really needed. but its personal preferences so I dont think there is "right way".

[Welton]

I don't run my a/c much at all, I don't like the way it holds the car back.

I didn't describe the 'leaf trap' very well, it's actually the space between the Intercooler and the Condenser.

Remove the plastic slam panel cover, remove the front grille, and then I use a hoover hose taped to some small flexible hose (about 8mm dia) and with the aid of a torch and looking down from above I pass my suction hose through the front grille and then just go about in the trapped space sucking up all the old leaves and bits, the left and right hand corners are the worst. Mostly the bits just stick to the end of the hose which you withdraw each time to pick off the leaf etc....takes a bit of time but I firmly believe saves your condenser.

[FunkyMelon]

For what it's worth I've read that leaving the system in 'Auto' doesn't actually keep the air con on all the time. It regulates the system and just means it'll turn it on and do its stuff when its needed and keep it off when its not, even if the air con light is on it may not actually be running constantly when in Auto mode.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by FunkyMelon

For what it's worth I've read that leaving the system in 'Auto' doesn't actually keep the air con on all the time. It regulates the system and just means it'll turn it on and do its stuff when its needed and keep it off when its not, even if the air con light is on it may not actually be running constantly when in Auto mode.

Never experienced the above. When I put it in AUTO and AC light is green, I can always feel car holding back, as Welton said. Its like compressor is engaged most of the times so even if its set to "heat" not to cool, it will still do so using air-conditioned air.

Welton - thanks for info, will have to look at it closely. to be honest I never even wondered where condenser was, its one of those "its there and leave it be" things I didnt put too much thinking about.
gonna have a look some time.
on sidenote, I always clean my car with pressure washer and always make sure to direct it onto radiator/IC and undercarriage, wheelarches etc so Im hoping that this also helps to keep components unclogged.

[FunkyMelon]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Never experienced the above. When I put it in AUTO and AC light is green, I can always feel car holding back, as Welton said. Its like compressor is engaged most of the times so even if its set to "heat" not to cool, it will still do so using air-conditioned air.

"The air conditioning system switches off temporarily at full throttle. You may feel a temporary rise in temperature"

Direct from the owners manual

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by FunkyMelon

"The air conditioning system switches off temporarily at full throttle. You may feel a temporary rise in temperature"

Direct from the owners manual

Interesting, neet do test it How will that work in practice? compressor will disengage clutch when full throttle is detected to allow more output power but engage back when gas pedal depressed?
But as I said - never experienced this, I just feel car holding back too much for my liking, and its not even the power itself but the way its delivered (lack of smoothness). Its just not the same.

[FunkyMelon]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Interesting, neet do test it How will that work in practice? compressor will disengage clutch when full throttle is detected to allow more output power but engage back when gas pedal depressed?
But as I said - never experienced this, I just feel car holding back too much for my liking, and its not even the power itself but the way its delivered (lack of smoothness). Its just not the same.

The mighty placebo,

It's allllllllllllll in your mind