S40 (New) AC : - Air Con

nkclair · Mar 10th, 2010, 12:26

Hi all, i have Volvo s40 2.0 SE new shape and my air con doen't appear to give out cold air. Does the gas run out or does air con in the car need topping up. Someone told me it never runs out unless you have a leak.
you advice please
Thank you

Welton · Mar 10th, 2010, 15:39

If it's not working then the most common cause is low gas pressure due to a leak somewhere (the condensor radiator at the front is favourite).

Other causes could be a compressor failure although this can be more sudden and noticeable or a communication error (electrical fault).

First thing would be to have a good nosey at the condensor with a torch and look for signs of a green oily staining at the bottom of the condensor or indeed any signs of a large stone striking the condensor and damaging it.

If you suspect the condensor is at fault then you'll need to verify this at an Air Con specialist garage who will check the system pressure and inspect the condensor under U-V light. The specialist will be able to quote for the repairs.

Welton

Jonnieb2009 · Mar 10th, 2010, 16:39

I think halfords do a free Air con check. They can also re-charge it for you.

b1nuzz · Mar 11th, 2010, 14:33

Over a period of time, the pressure drops, which means that you wont get it as cold as you once did.

As said above, certain places to free pressure checks.
Kwik Fit do a free check. And they only charge you if they can increase the coolness by more than 10%. They will have print outs to prove it as well.
If they can do it, it costs about £40.00.
Don't pay any more than that for it though as its not worth it. One machine is the same as another so there is no point paying extra.

However, as a second thought, bear in mind that it isn't hot outside at the moment. Therefore the air wont feel as cold as it does in the summer.
If you set your temp to Lo, and then turn the fan all the way up, you should notice that it is cold, but it wont be as dramatic as it is when its 30 degrees outside!

TB1 · Mar 11th, 2010, 17:06

I've got a feeling most a/c systems fitted to cars don't work when the outside air is below 4oC

b1nuzz · Mar 11th, 2010, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by TB1

I've got a feeling most a/c systems fitted to cars don't work when the outside air is below 4oC

This was the case with my last car. A VAG car.

However with the Volvo, the compressor fires up whatever the temperature. I fired up the air con compressor at -6 a few weeks back.

nkclair · Mar 15th, 2010, 10:45

Thanx all, i will get it check. and get back.

nkclair · Mar 22nd, 2010, 15:57

hi all, got my air con working, got it gassed by Kwik Fit for £25. There only gas it up, there don't check for leaks etc. Better than going to Volvo who was charging me £78 +Vat even thou there would had checked it for leaks.
I see how long this gas stay's in, fingers cross i don't have a leak. If so, I'll have to go Dealers :-(

TMC121 · Apr 1st, 2010, 22:00

AIR CON TOP UP SYSTEM COMPLETE KIT Thompsons Ltd
has anyone ever used their kits?
I have a 07 1.6D V50 and the Air Con is not blowing cold air but here in Ireland the prices for a refill are a little high

Monksey · Apr 16th, 2010, 18:32

All air con systems need to be used on cold, even in winter, otherwise the seals shrink and refrigerant will escape.

Once it is regassed to the correct pressure then make sure you run it about once a week for at least half an hour on cold, that way the seals keep lubricated and do not shrink

Mar 10th, 2010, 12:26	#1
nkclair Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:09 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: wolverhampton	Air Con Hi all, i have Volvo s40 2.0 SE new shape and my air con doen't appear to give out cold air. Does the gas run out or does air con in the car need topping up. Someone told me it never runs out unless you have a leak. you advice please Thank you

Mar 10th, 2010, 15:39	#2
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	If it's not working then the most common cause is low gas pressure due to a leak somewhere (the condensor radiator at the front is favourite). Other causes could be a compressor failure although this can be more sudden and noticeable or a communication error (electrical fault). First thing would be to have a good nosey at the condensor with a torch and look for signs of a green oily staining at the bottom of the condensor or indeed any signs of a large stone striking the condensor and damaging it. If you suspect the condensor is at fault then you'll need to verify this at an Air Con specialist garage who will check the system pressure and inspect the condensor under U-V light. The specialist will be able to quote for the repairs. Welton __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Mar 11th, 2010, 17:06	#5
TB1 Junior Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2012 13:57 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sittingbourne	I've got a feeling most a/c systems fitted to cars don't work when the outside air is below 4oC __________________ 2005 Volvo s40 2.0D SE Sport

Mar 22nd, 2010, 15:57	#8
nkclair Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:09 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: wolverhampton	Air Con hi all, got my air con working, got it gassed by Kwik Fit for £25. There only gas it up, there don't check for leaks etc. Better than going to Volvo who was charging me £78 +Vat even thou there would had checked it for leaks. I see how long this gas stay's in, fingers cross i don't have a leak. If so, I'll have to go Dealers :-( Last edited by nkclair; Mar 22nd, 2010 at 16:01.

Mar 10th, 2010, 16:39	#3
Jonnieb2009 Master Member Last Online: Nov 23rd, 2011 15:19 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Helsby View Photos By: Jonnieb2009	I think halfords do a free Air con check. They can also re-charge it for you.

Mar 11th, 2010, 14:33	#4
b1nuzz Junior Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2011 15:14 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bristol	Over a period of time, the pressure drops, which means that you wont get it as cold as you once did. As said above, certain places to free pressure checks. Kwik Fit do a free check. And they only charge you if they can increase the coolness by more than 10%. They will have print outs to prove it as well. If they can do it, it costs about £40.00. Don't pay any more than that for it though as its not worth it. One machine is the same as another so there is no point paying extra. However, as a second thought, bear in mind that it isn't hot outside at the moment. Therefore the air wont feel as cold as it does in the summer. If you set your temp to Lo, and then turn the fan all the way up, you should notice that it is cold, but it wont be as dramatic as it is when its 30 degrees outside!

Mar 15th, 2010, 10:45	#7
nkclair Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:09 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: wolverhampton	Thanx all, i will get it check. and get back.

Apr 1st, 2010, 22:00	#9
TMC121 New Member Last Online: Jul 6th, 2021 13:53 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dublin	AIR CON TOP UP SYSTEM COMPLETE KIT Thompsons Ltd has anyone ever used their kits? I have a 07 1.6D V50 and the Air Con is not blowing cold air but here in Ireland the prices for a refill are a little high

Apr 16th, 2010, 18:32	#10
Monksey New Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2010 14:08 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hailsham	All air con systems need to be used on cold, even in winter, otherwise the seals shrink and refrigerant will escape. Once it is regassed to the correct pressure then make sure you run it about once a week for at least half an hour on cold, that way the seals keep lubricated and do not shrink

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