Air Conditioning - How should it work? 2000MY V8 ES

After reading the posts on air conditioning I dont really see the answer to my problems for later shape Disco2. Although everyone seems to be having gremlins with 200/300s.

The a/c is not functioning in my opinion. It can be cool, but it can also create this background heat in the car very quickly, that really means sunroof open and windows down - to get some circulation.

I was initially thinking of getting a DIY kit that supposed to have a gauge to allow you to measure, leak test, and refill.

But people seem to be saying these are not so good - they appear to be about 40.00 from eBay.

So moving on from that I would opt to take it to a specialist, probably not quick fit...but have also heard bad things about mis-diagnosed problems.

My real question is before doing any of this work, can i infact do anything what so ever to fault find the issues? i.e look at the compressor - what is ist method of normal operation? If i have engine running and press the a/c button with settings on LOW should a clutch engage, something start spinning?

If the system is low, I read the compressor may not function, so this means first testing can only take place after attempting a refill?

Any advice would be appreciated, especially related to model year etc of this disco.

There were two sorts of system, climate control and air conditioning.

Both should create cold air within a couple of minutes or so on a hot day and when the interior has heat-soaked in the sun.

I think that the main difference is that the climate control is more finely adjustable that the plain aircon, and has digital controls, but is also a fair bit more complex.

You can hear the clutch engage when the air con is started up on our Renault Trafic van, we haven't got it on the Disco 2 V8 that we have. I think you also have a separate electric fan on the air con condenser radiator.

Most popular failure is lack of gas, recharging usually needed every two or three years, less if you get a damaged pipe or condenser radiator.

Peter

listerdiesel said:

I think you also have a separate electric fan on the air con condenser radiator.
Peter

Click to expand...

If you look through the Grill from the front of the Car, you will see the aircon fan. This only usually cuts in when the outside temp is over 25 C.

Try quickfit i've found them very good, £45 for a whole re-charge, pressure test etc. Best of all, they guarentee it to be 10% cooler.

Also worth mentioning, I'm sure your not stupid but do you have air con or climate? On climate there is a 'E CON' button...THIS IS NOT THE AIR CON!! This turns it into economy mode, AIR CON OFF! This has confused people in the past.

Rob

also if you use recirculate then you will increase the temp inside with or without the aircon on.. the recirculate button is next to the aircon button and I have known people who seem to think you need both on.. you should only use recircluate to help clear the hot air out the car when you first start driving and then turn it stright off.. you can also use recirculate to speed up the warm up process in winter (although you need to do this with a/c on otherwise you will steam up) and to reduce the amount of external crap (dust etc) from coming into the cabin for a short period only.

Although dredding it, I got an aircon specialist to take a look at the car.

He arrived vacuumed the system, and he was impressed with the fact that everything appeared in order. Added some oil and measured the 134 gas back in - to the correct level - under the bonnet there was a label with this info. Within 20mins the system had taken the correct amount - mine has not got rear air conditioning, so it was about 700grms. I think vehicles with rear air con need 900.

It was showing 4degrees on the temperature gauge inside the car, and I have to say its a bit too cold now!!! No pleasing some people!

It was blowing hot before doing this, and I am surprised that it was not something more serious with the heater matrix/air con system.

All good and only £50.00 - money well spent.

Its nice to read a happy ending somtimes. Especially when doubt is cast over a tradesman doing his job as he should.