Same problem in mine MY03 WRX. Yesterday outside temp was 30+, but I couldn't get the cabin really cool whatever I did with the controls. I just put it down to a crap system that Subaru use.

 

You want your heater on full to draw hot air out of the engine to get maximum performance

 

WRX 03, AC is "not great" but still OK. I haven't noticed much of a difference when on recirc, but I didn't have the fan on full at the time.
Those who laugh at people who drive with the AC on and windows down: the AC in my Boxster is very effective, even with the top down! (I like the wind in my hair)

Has anyone noticed a real drop in acceleration when using the AC? I feel a "shunt" when the AC switched on, and the acceleration is less.

[Edited by Jiggerypokery - 7/16/2003 9:46:39 AM]

 

Jiggerypokery - yes to the shunt/drop in performance with AC on. Subaru claim that their system pauses the AC when accelerating hard, but I think this is crap because there is a definite drop in urge with it on, even with the loud pedal mashed into the carpet.

I now find myself sub-consciously hitting the AC button off as I come up behind cars and am about to overtake.

 

Air-con units need recharging about every two years IMO . Do you use yours a lot (If so when do you get the chance in the uk).It may need a re-charge. Its about 90 pounds from a main dealer, i believe . I suggest just winding down the windows and driving suitable fast (obviously within the leagal limits) enough to keep yourself cool .

 

Treacle,

I expect the gas to be good for longer than 2 years as long as you use the unit a least a bit every week or two. It helps defog in winter so I use mine all year round - just less in winter.

 

cost me 50 quid to get mine recharged, that's after i had replaced the condenser due to the last owner not using it and then promptly seized the first time i turned it on


kev

 

If you don't use it you'll certainly loose the gas. I had my previous Impreza for just over 3 years and the air con was great all the time with no regassing etc...

 

I was told by an expert that the modern air con gas (134a) is a lot more difficult to keep in the system than the old freon. The seals can dry out so thats why it is recommended that you use the air con occasionally during the winter to help stop that. Also the system will need topping up more often than the freon systems did.

Les

 

Modern car air-conditioning is never as good as A/c in older cars...

why?

Well most modern stuff uses 134A (or the like) This is not as good as that lovely ozone-hole-burning R12

Add to that pollen filters (not on scoobs, well classic anyway) to restrict the airflow.

Can't beat the a/c on my dad's 'ol XJS - Like a fridge Pity its off the road at the mo (re-spray)

Also if you want to avoid recharge cost.... fill it with Butane!!! (or was it propane?) Apparently it does work, but with the flamability (gas in engine bay = boom ) It's probably not that clever

[Edited by ALi-B - 7/16/2003 10:53:18 AM]

 

I beleive there is a safety argument to preventing too low a temperature being reached. Apparently it is not good to jump out of your car at 16C when it's 35C outside. For this reason you can't set a temp. lower than say 18C.
I would agree that performance does take a hit with AC on. Much worse in low gears when driving gently since the AC is a bigger proportion of total engine load. A fair amount of power is required to remove the heat on hot sunny days. This is made worse because rising temps mean less air gets into the engine. More heat is dumped into the condenser in front of the rad. which heats the engine, which has to work harder to get rid of the heat and the cycle is repeated. It all gets much worse in town because even with the dual fans the car really needs decent air flow thru the condeser to work well.

I feel a lot cooler if the vents face at me. If you are on your own you can use 3 face level vents. Set the ventilator to footwell and face. Even on AUTO and 22C eventually the fan slows down and reaches a comfortable temp. with outside temps of 33C yesterday. Then I usually have to move the vents away from me or it gets a bit too cold.

Hope this helps

 

i should of had R12 in mine, but got R49 instead after a bit of haggling (everyone i spoke to wanted to convert it to R134a)


kev

 

Agreed Ali - old XJS was easily the best aircon I've ever come across too.

 

Well in the XJS there was little cabin area to keep cool!

 

Yeah, but that draft sure was cold!

 

My Audi A4 was too cold on the minimum setting - no way I could sit with it on MIN no matter how warm it was.

If I put my '01 WRX A/C on minimum and hold my hand over the vent, I can feel the air go from freezing cold to lukewarm - this cycle repeats every couple of seconds. I think may be one of the internal temp. sensors as I still use it a lot in the winter so hopefully it's not lost gas (but the suspend A/C thing talked about above has given me food for thought).

Deano

 

MY02. My aircon is pretty poor in this weather.
I would have thought that slow fan speed would give the air more chance to cool down and would be better than high speed fan.
I will give the auto fan a go and see what happens.
AIUI the min setting means pump out coldest air ignoring temperature sensors and so the auto fan will have no effect here. The next notch on the dial is the 20°C setting

 

Yup - Tuesday and yesterday were the only days I wish I'd been in an Audi.....

 

5 minutes on max & re/circ is enough to make my nuts freeze!

 

Scooby96 - is your's a Classic?

 

1999 Sti V - air con is nowhere near as good as papa's Audi - never ever has been

Could really have done with a beefier system the other day - Banbury to London with A/C on max, full fan and recirculate and we were still hot. But, as I say has been like that from new. It's a 'feature'...

Later models seem better - if uglier ;-)