Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: atann on 28 June 2016, 18:16:35

Title: Aircon
Post by: atann on 28 June 2016, 18:16:35
Had the air con regased after buying the car and it is working well. Having had a diesel car before, is it normal to feel such a drag on the engine and lose of power on a 2.6?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: frostbite on 28 June 2016, 18:47:07
You shouldn't feel any loss in power with that lump,  do you have climate control?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 28 June 2016, 19:03:03
You shouldn't feel any loss in power with that lump,  do you have climate control?
All Facelift have climate control... Drag is normal, but probably made worse by being an auto ;)

Incidentally at full throttle/kickdown the engine ecu should momentarily disable the conpressor :y
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: steve6367 on 28 June 2016, 19:25:27
Had the air con regased after buying the car and it is working well. Having had a diesel car before, is it normal to feel such a drag on the engine and lose of power on a 2.6?

There is no discernible 'drag' on any of my 3, 2 x 2.5 and 1 x 2.2 - as said above the ECU will disconnect the compressor if you ask for full throttle to give you that last 2 HP.  :y
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 28 June 2016, 20:02:11
You shouldn't feel any loss in power with that lump,  do you have climate control?
All Facelift have climate control... Drag is normal, but probably made worse by being an auto ;)

Incidentally at full throttle/kickdown the engine ecu should momentarily disable the conpressor :y

Might it need a new belt for the compressor? I wonder if it's slipping slightly?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: frostbite on 28 June 2016, 21:34:55
Could  be a rusty clutch. It is taking the grunt of our fine weather
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 28 June 2016, 21:49:02
Could  be a rusty clutch. It is taking the grunt of our fine weather

Car has been sitting around since February. Not sure when the climate was last used, as it would not engage the compressed at all before the regas. If it's a rusty clutch, will it clear itself with use?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: frostbite on 28 June 2016, 23:17:32
It will if it's not seized solid,  see if you can turn it by hand first if not try and ease it with a few taps on a flat screwdriver.

Although it's an electromagnet so check the wires
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 28 June 2016, 23:22:02
Could  be a rusty clutch. It is taking the grunt of our fine weather

Car has been sitting around since February. Not sure when the climate was last used, as it would not engage the compressed at all before the regas. If it's a rusty clutch, will it clear itself with use?
Yes :y
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 30 June 2016, 16:18:18
It will if it's not seized solid,  see if you can turn it by hand first if not try and ease it with a few taps on a flat screwdriver.

Although it's an electromagnet so check the wires

Where it is located in the engine bay?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 30 June 2016, 19:04:38
Bottom right.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 30 June 2016, 20:00:14
Bottom right. As you face the enginne
WOT e sed :y
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: zirk on 30 June 2016, 20:25:45
Probably worth resetting the Climate Panel as well, if its just been re gassed and has been sitting for a while.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 30 June 2016, 20:59:17
Probably worth resetting the Climate Panel as well, if its just been re gassed and has been sitting for a while.

How do I do that? Thanks.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 30 June 2016, 22:55:09
Someone will be along with a link to the relevant maintenance guide,

Meanwhile Please read the manual ;)
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 30 June 2016, 23:06:21
Someone will be along with a link to the relevant maintenance guide,

Meanwhile Please read the manual ;)

Will do :)
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 02 July 2016, 19:01:51
Probably worth resetting the Climate Panel as well, if its just been re gassed and has been sitting for a while.

Cheers, seems to have made a difference.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 04 July 2016, 18:26:09
Bottom right.

Do you been up he bottom right of the engine, with the belt attached to it? If that is the clutch, it is running with the air on and in Eco. Do you have a picture of the location?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 04 July 2016, 18:45:24
It will if it's not seized solid,  see if you can turn it by hand first if not try and ease it with a few taps on a flat screwdriver.

Although it's an electromagnet so check the wires

If I'm turning the right thing it turns a bit, from what I've read the belt will move all the time. If the AC is engaged the clutch should spin?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 July 2016, 20:05:40
It will if it's not seized solid,  see if you can turn it by hand first if not try and ease it with a few taps on a flat screwdriver.

Although it's an electromagnet so check the wires

If I'm turning the right thing it turns a bit, from what I've read the belt will move all the time. If the AC is engaged the clutch should spin?
Engine running, press the Eco button on the climate panel so that eco is shown on the display...

The pulley face with three lumps will be stationary. Then press eco button again... should be a thunk, slight blip in rpm and the pulley face should then be spinning if all is well...

If not causes are, in no particular order, low refrigerant due to age; a leak, usually the condensor; faulty refrigerant pressure switch; faulty hi/lo pressure valves; failed relay/s...

The last item will cause some headaches as it's part of the cooling fan system... the aircon won't engage if the fans don't work correctly... best checked by following the guide if only to rule it out ;)
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 04 July 2016, 20:18:38
It will if it's not seized solid,  see if you can turn it by hand first if not try and ease it with a few taps on a flat screwdriver.

Although it's an electromagnet so check the wires

If I'm turning the right thing it turns a bit, from what I've read the belt will move all the time. If the AC is engaged the clutch should spin?
Engine running, press the Eco button on the climate panel so that eco is shown on the display...

The pulley face with three lumps will be stationary. Then press eco button again... should be a thunk, slight blip in rpm and the pulley face should then be spinning if all is well...

If not causes are, in no particular order, low refrigerant due to age; a leak, usually the condensor; faulty refrigerant pressure switch; faulty hi/lo pressure valves; failed relay/s...

The last item will cause some headaches as it's part of the cooling fan system... the aircon won't engage if the fans don't work correctly... best checked by following the guide if only to rule it out ;)

Had it regased last week and the system is working, there just seems to be quite a bit of drag on the engine. I will check that tomorrow and update. Thanks for all you recent help.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 July 2016, 20:25:41
If it's working, then keep it switched on... report back after a couple of months to see if the apparent drag improves or not...

Meantime, use the S button to compensate... should make it more driveable :y
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 04 July 2016, 21:03:24
If it's working, then keep it switched on... report back after a couple of months to see if the apparent drag improves or not...

Meantime, use the S button to compensate... should make it more driveable :y

I've already used 4.5 gallons in 82 miles! I'll just see how it goes. Thanks.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Nick W on 04 July 2016, 21:23:52
If it's working, then keep it switched on... report back after a couple of months to see if the apparent drag improves or not...

Meantime, use the S button to compensate... should make it more driveable :y

I've already used 4.5 gallons in 82 miles! I'll just see how it goes. Thanks.


What did they do, add the entire cylinder's worth of gas? You should use another gallon driving it back to whoever did it and get them to fix it. A/C reputedly takes about 2hp, which on a 2.6 should make no noticeable difference to the way the car drives. Any fuel economy difference is supposed to be no worse than winding down a window.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 04 July 2016, 22:14:53
If it's working, then keep it switched on... report back after a couple of months to see if the apparent drag improves or not...

Meantime, use the S button to compensate... should make it more driveable :y

I've already used 4.5 gallons in 82 miles! I'll just see how it goes. Thanks.


What did they do, add the entire cylinder's worth of gas? You should use another gallon driving it back to whoever did it and get them to fix it. A/C reputedly takes about 2hp, which on a 2.6 should make no noticeable difference to the way the car drives. Any fuel economy difference is supposed to be no worse than winding down a window.

ATS Nick. I've used them before for my Rover. It took an hour to charge the system and it is ice cold. I think as suggested it could be a rusty clutch or I'm just noticing the difference after my diesel Rover.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 July 2016, 22:24:48
Thinking it through, the clutch is either engaged or not... a dragging clutch would prevent it from disengaging...

As Nick alluded to, it may well be that there was no oil added when the aircon was regassed... in which case the drag will get worse as the compressor seizes. Might actually be best to leave it in Eco mode until it's resolved :-\
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 04 July 2016, 22:53:12
Thinking it through, the clutch is either engaged or not... a dragging clutch would prevent it from disengaging...

As Nick alluded to, it may well be that there was no oil added when the aircon was regassed... in which case the drag will get worse as the compressor seizes. Might actually be best to leave it in Eco mode until it's resolved :-\

Reading some background on their machines, it should add oil to the regas as needed? If it is low on oil, what do I need to do?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 July 2016, 23:00:52
Get it regassed properly... would suggest that not using a budget place, but rather a dedicated specialist would be prudent...
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 05 July 2016, 08:15:36
I might have a slight coolant leak, I'm keeping an eye on the level. Could this effect the running of the aircon?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 05 July 2016, 11:59:33
I might have a slight coolant leak, I'm keeping an eye on the level. Could this effect the running of the aircon?
Shouldn't do unless it drains the radiator below the fan switches... in which case you've much bigger issues ;)
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 18 July 2016, 01:01:31
For maximum cooling, I normally only have the driver's vent and one centre vent open. Will the car cool quicker with the rear vents open or the other vents?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 18 July 2016, 17:21:55
Had the rear vents open today. But they seem to only admit warm air? If the car has been in the sun, is it better to use recirculated air? Thanks.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 July 2016, 11:47:19
Had the rear vents open today. But they seem to only admit warm air? If the car has been in the sun, is it better to use recirculated air? Thanks.
Use non recirculated setting... Windows open fan on full until car moving, then close windows and set fan to suit :y

Please read the manual to confirm ;)
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 19 July 2016, 14:22:00
Had the rear vents open today. But they seem to only admit warm air? If the car has been in the sun, is it better to use recirculated air? Thanks.
Use non recirculated setting... Windows open fan on full until car moving, then close windows and set fan to suit :y

Please read the manual to confirm ;)

Cheers for that. What about the rear vents?
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 July 2016, 15:54:19
Had the rear vents open today. But they seem to only admit warm air? If the car has been in the sun, is it better to use recirculated air? Thanks.
Use non recirculated setting... Windows open fan on full until car moving, then close windows and set fan to suit :y

Please read the manual to confirm ;)

Cheers for that. What about the rear vents?
Be in the manual, but bear in mind that in this heat there's alot of hot air in the pipes...
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 19 July 2016, 22:22:50
Had the rear vents open today. But they seem to only admit warm air? If the car has been in the sun, is it better to use recirculated air? Thanks.
Use non recirculated setting... Windows open fan on full until car moving, then close windows and set fan to suit :y

Please read the manual to confirm ;)

Cheers for that. What about the rear vents?
Be in the manual, but bear in mind that in this heat there's alot of hot air in the pipes...

The manual only said close the rear vents without passengers. I will try it on a longer run and see if it cools down.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: steve6367 on 19 July 2016, 22:49:07
For maximum cooling, I normally only have the driver's vent and one centre vent open. Will the car cool quicker with the rear vents open or the other vents?

All vents open, leave it in auto and select temperature  :y

If you close vents you just cause more resistance to cooled air entering the car.

Mine (black) parked in the sun today at 30C OAT cold air within 30 seconds of start, ice cold  within a couple of minutes, car interior nicely at 19C after 6 or 7  minutes. It's had, new valves, compressor and condenser - hey I cool though  :P
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 20 July 2016, 23:42:10
For maximum cooling, I normally only have the driver's vent and one centre vent open. Will the car cool quicker with the rear vents open or the other vents?

All vents open, leave it in auto and select temperature  :y

If you close vents you just cause more resistance to cooled air entering the car.

Mine (black) parked in the sun today at 30C OAT cold air within 30 seconds of start, ice cold  within a couple of minutes, car interior nicely at 19C after 6 or 7  minutes. It's had, new valves, compressor and condenser - hey I cool though  :P

Cheers, I'll try 19c auto, all vents open. I'll let you know if this makes a difference.
Title: Re: Aircon
Post by: atann on 25 July 2016, 00:13:10
One month since regas and it is not as cold. Leak or oil needed due to compressor working to hard? Or a combination of both? :'(