air con struggling

[omega2018]

it was struggling to keep the car cool today .  32C outside so maybe that was why but i wonder.  my a/c definitely works but could it work better?

i sort of assumed that it is digital - if there is enough refrigerant in it the pump works, if there isn't enough it doesn't.  nothing in between. 

has anyone found that a working a/c system works noticeably better when topped up?

[steve6367]

it was struggling to keep the car cool today .  32C outside so maybe that was why but i wonder.  my a/c definitely works but could it work better?

i sort of assumed that it is digital - if there is enough refrigerant in it the pump works, if there isn't enough it doesn't.  nothing in between. 

has anyone found that a working a/c system works noticeably better when topped up?

The cooling ability will diminish if you lose any coolant - best thing to do it measure the temperature of the air coming out of vents - something around 6C its on top form.

In my experience the Omega system is not the best, but mine had the car down to 19C today with 30C outside.

[pauls]

Mine gave up today. I felt like a cooked chicken by the time i got to work

[Mr.OmegaMan]

My A/C compressor was on its last legs as it is but today it was acting weird. The passenger side fan would cut out along with the compressor then they both click back on after a few seconds then go off again after a few seconds... This goes on continually. Only seems to happen when it's over 24c outside. Blows ice cold normally.

[omega2018]

does that 6C test apply no matter what the outside temperature?  6C seems a bit low to me, I'm not sure it ever was that cold but i will try it.. 

[Bigron]

This isn't going to be as helpful as I would wish, but I hope it's a pointer in the right direction.
Assuming that you have a working amount of refrigerant, I read somewhere (sorry, don't know where) that it is possible to fool the aircon system into providing Arctic temperatures by means of a simple modification - maybe just a single component?
I wish my memory were better, but if you Google you may find it. They also commented on the lower efficiency of today's refrigerant, which was changed from the ideal one because of the Safety Elf.

Ron.

[amba]

Strange as mine brought about the same questioning its efficiency earlier today.

Outside temperature was 32.5c but air comimg through vents wasnt that cold.As carry a digital thermometer in glove box did a test.When stationary vents were registering minimum of 14.8c but when driving at steady 40mph temp would drop to 12.7c.

Rang my AC guy who confirmed that isnt a bad system as its also effected by pressure and he then went all technical about bar pressure etc.He did say that ac does loose a small volume of refrigerant each year so a full recharge each year isnt a bad call although not totally necessary .He did comment that Omegas dont have the greatest ac systems but anywhere between 6-8c at vents in sesnsible 25/28 c daytime temperatures is good.Today was the extreme although not the highest we have had.

Did also advise that to get the very best from the system the ac should be switched to recirculation as that way air is cooled twice so will always give slightly lower temp.

[Steve B]

Strange as mine brought about the same questioning its efficiency earlier today.

Outside temperature was 32.5c but air comimg through vents wasnt that cold.As carry a digital thermometer in glove box did a test.When stationary vents were registering minimum of 14.8c but when driving at steady 40mph temp would drop to 12.7c.

Rang my AC guy who confirmed that isnt a bad system as its also effected by pressure and he then went all technical about bar pressure etc.He did say that ac does loose a small volume of refrigerant each year so a full recharge each year isnt a bad call although not totally necessary .He did comment that Omegas dont have the greatest ac systems but anywhere between 6-8c at vents in sesnsible 25/28 c daytime temperatures is good.Today was the extreme although not the highest we have had.

Did also advise that to get the very best from the system the ac should be switched to recirculation as that way air is cooled twice so will always give slightly lower temp.

[neil74]

My aircon has given up completely despite the previous owner saying it worked. and driving down the motorway with the windows open just made the intense heat inside even worse  .

[steve6367]

Strange as mine brought about the same questioning its efficiency earlier today.

Outside temperature was 32.5c but air comimg through vents wasnt that cold.As carry a digital thermometer in glove box did a test.When stationary vents were registering minimum of 14.8c but when driving at steady 40mph temp would drop to 12.7c.

Rang my AC guy who confirmed that isnt a bad system as its also effected by pressure and he then went all technical about bar pressure etc.He did say that ac does loose a small volume of refrigerant each year so a full recharge each year isnt a bad call although not totally necessary .He did comment that Omegas dont have the greatest ac systems but anywhere between 6-8c at vents in sesnsible 25/28 c daytime temperatures is good.Today was the extreme although not the highest we have had.

Did also advise that to get the very best from the system the ac should be switched to recirculation as that way air is cooled twice so will always give slightly lower temp.

In Auto it will select recirc automaticly during the cooldown phase and cancel it once no longer beneficial.

[Kevin Wood]

In Auto it will select recirc automaticly during the cooldown phase and cancel it once no longer beneficial.

Yep, no need to mess with it, really. 

[Steve B]

Mine stopped working on sunday after 18mth.. (i have it on all the time) just had it sorted..she said £35 on the phone..then when i collected it she said its £45 now owing to it needing 980g where most cars take 500g  is that right ..Omega has a bigger aircon setup than most standard cars 

[biggriffin]

Mine stopped working on sunday after 18mth.. (i have it on all the time) just had it sorted..she said £35 on the phone..then when i collected it she said its £45 now owing to it needing 980g where most cars take 500g  is that right ..Omega has a bigger aircon setup than most standard cars 

Correct. But shouldn't make the price go up, some cars take 400g bet they don't pay less.

[Webby the Bear]

Lol that's a touch bizarre. Our AC recharge cost is £35. Irrespective of capacity

[omega2018]

tested it today with a digital temperature probe in the air intake.  very best was 5.9C with ambient 21.9C so 16C below ambient.  that was with re-circ off of course but also all other vents closed. otherwise with normal set up was about 10C below outside temp.