How cold is your AC?
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
How cold is your AC?
2002 MCS with ~50k miles
My AC blows cool air but is not really capable of cooling down the entire cabin. I drove down to the desert last week, 108* outside, AC was better than nothing but I was still sweating.
Both of my other cars (newer Toyotas) can freeze you out if you keep the AC on high...
Is this typical for Minis? Or should I check my AC charge? FWIW I just changed the cab air filter.
My AC blows cool air but is not really capable of cooling down the entire cabin. I drove down to the desert last week, 108* outside, AC was better than nothing but I was still sweating.
Both of my other cars (newer Toyotas) can freeze you out if you keep the AC on high...
Is this typical for Minis? Or should I check my AC charge? FWIW I just changed the cab air filter.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 283
From: Melbourne, FL
2002?
I think a system check is not out of line .....
I tend to have mine checked every 2 years - car and home - and for some reason my home system works fine altho my neighbors (all homes built around the same time) all seem to be replacing their a/c systems .....
I think a system check is not out of line .....
I tend to have mine checked every 2 years - car and home - and for some reason my home system works fine altho my neighbors (all homes built around the same time) all seem to be replacing their a/c systems .....
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 7
From: San Diego, CA
Mine (04 MCS) is the same as yours. I don't remember it being able to get the cabin cool with temps over ~85 degrees even when new. Using recirc helps. I'd get yours checked out, just in case it could be better.
With it being a 2002 it is a good idea to have an evac and recharge done as it likely is a little low just due to how old it is.
Here are a few things we do here in Hotlanta
1. when I recharge the system I overcharge it just like .1-.2lbs giving it a little more pressure
2. install a radiator air diverter as it makes the condenser more efficient.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/fiberg...-diverter.html
3. Can use a 2% larger ATI damper. This gives you just a little more RPM on the compressor at idle in traffic making it work just a little better.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/super-...ulley-r53.html
4. run it on recycle as it will work better too.
Here are a few things we do here in Hotlanta
1. when I recharge the system I overcharge it just like .1-.2lbs giving it a little more pressure
2. install a radiator air diverter as it makes the condenser more efficient.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/fiberg...-diverter.html
3. Can use a 2% larger ATI damper. This gives you just a little more RPM on the compressor at idle in traffic making it work just a little better.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/super-...ulley-r53.html
4. run it on recycle as it will work better too.
My 19, f56 is pretty good with the air. My issue is that the vent on the top of the dashboard seems always on and most of the air goes out that vent, no matter what setting I’m on.
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MINI Alliance Ambassador
Joined: Sep 2005
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2002 MCS with ~50k miles
My AC blows cool air but is not really capable of cooling down the entire cabin. I drove down to the desert last week, 108* outside, AC was better than nothing but I was still sweating.
Both of my other cars (newer Toyotas) can freeze you out if you keep the AC on high...
Is this typical for Minis? Or should I check my AC charge? FWIW I just changed the cab air filter.
My AC blows cool air but is not really capable of cooling down the entire cabin. I drove down to the desert last week, 108* outside, AC was better than nothing but I was still sweating.
Both of my other cars (newer Toyotas) can freeze you out if you keep the AC on high...
Is this typical for Minis? Or should I check my AC charge? FWIW I just changed the cab air filter.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
With it being a 2002 it is a good idea to have an evac and recharge done as it likely is a little low just due to how old it is.
Here are a few things we do here in Hotlanta
1. when I recharge the system I overcharge it just like .1-.2lbs giving it a little more pressure
2. install a radiator air diverter as it makes the condenser more efficient.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/fiberg...-diverter.html
3. Can use a 2% larger ATI damper. This gives you just a little more RPM on the compressor at idle in traffic making it work just a little better.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/super-...ulley-r53.html
4. run it on recycle as it will work better too.
Here are a few things we do here in Hotlanta
1. when I recharge the system I overcharge it just like .1-.2lbs giving it a little more pressure
2. install a radiator air diverter as it makes the condenser more efficient.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/fiberg...-diverter.html
3. Can use a 2% larger ATI damper. This gives you just a little more RPM on the compressor at idle in traffic making it work just a little better.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/super-...ulley-r53.html
4. run it on recycle as it will work better too.
On my short list of preventative maintenance is to replace all the wear items on the drive belt side at the same time as adding a 15-17% SC pulley.
- Tensioner
- Damper pulley
- Belt
- idler pulley (do these ever fail??)
I was wondering about the 2% Damper + 15% SC pulley combo instead of the 17% SC pulley. Sounds like the 2% might be a win/win.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Nashville
Thanks for the info.
On my short list of preventative maintenance is to replace all the wear items on the drive belt side at the same time as adding a 15-17% SC pulley.
- Tensioner
- Damper pulley
- Belt
- idler pulley (do these ever fail??)
I was wondering about the 2% Damper + 15% SC pulley combo instead of the 17% SC pulley. Sounds like the 2% might be a win/win.
On my short list of preventative maintenance is to replace all the wear items on the drive belt side at the same time as adding a 15-17% SC pulley.
- Tensioner
- Damper pulley
- Belt
- idler pulley (do these ever fail??)
I was wondering about the 2% Damper + 15% SC pulley combo instead of the 17% SC pulley. Sounds like the 2% might be a win/win.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 148
Likes: 8
My R52 will get down to about 42-43F. Rarely run more than #2 on fan speed. Temp on low. Outside air.
Regards,
Jerry
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 766
Likes: 80
From: Texas
When checking the temp at the vent keep in mind that the lower the outside temp the lower the vent temp will be. R134a will get you about 40-45 degrees cooler than ambient air temp. So, the hotter it is the higher the AC temp will be. On a 100 degree day, 55 is a good inside temp, give or take. Be sure not to overcharge the system; it’s notbthat hard to blow a compressor especially when it’s hot outside. The higher the temperature outside the higher the pressure in the system. Find an ambient temperature/pressure chart for r134a. A cheap set of gauges is about $40 at harbor freight. R134a is about $5 can at Wally World, which is cheaper than the $20 you pay for the do-it-yourself can with hose and gauge attached. The gauges will pay for themselves after a couple of cars, will ensure that you don’t blow your system, and make you a better mechanic. Your friends will like you too when you help them get cool!
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