Ok, last summer (my first with Xantia) I did have some troubles with fans and relays which ended by installing much stronger relays (one of them 70 A!)so I could not test AC properly. Now I do have few questions:
1. If I push temperature lever all the way to the left what is the lowest air temperature I could expect? When it is realy hot (like when built in thermometer shows 35 C or more then I feel that air temp from the AC could be lower.
2. Is it normal for fans to go in second speed while the car is standing still for few minutes, like waiting for my wife for a quick shopping? (water and oil temp are both far below critical level)
3. I have consulted a specialist who told me that such fan's behavior could be coused by too much (and not to little as I have suspected) cooling gas and/or clogged radiator. What do you think?
4. BTW the previous owner told me a year ago that there is no need for filling up the cooling system since he had done it recently. I have found out some advices which suggested to check up and fill the system every year?
I am planning quite a drive this summer so I would appriciate any feedback.
Xantia AC temperature
Moderator: RichardW
I don't know why you would need to fit new relays as you describe. The wiring from the ignition switch to the fan controls I have heard can be a problem due to the current drawn and this is usually cured by tapping power from the cigarette lighter, but if it's working, we'll leave that one alone.
<b>1</b> If you set the thermostat to the lowest temp setting, in theory you would expect it to freeze you; in practice it can be counter productive and may partially ice the coil. Use a reasonable temp setting (say 22 degrees) and it should feel more comfortable. My system has to be able to cope with temps as it was last year, an indicated 49 degrees on one occasion.
<b>2</b> Yes, there is a safety switch that chops in when the pressure exceeds a certin thing on the high pressure side of the system.
Under normal circumstances, the car has air passing over the condensor when the car is on the move, the fans are there to duplicate this when the car is stationary. When the car stops, then the system relies entirely on the fans and high speed chops in to get rid of the excessive load that is imposed on the system.
<b>3</b> The specialist could be correct as too much gas would also cause these problems but if it only does it when stopped, I'd be inclined to suggest his second diagnosis of clogged core might be closer to the mark. If you can loosen the radiator and get a high pressure cleaner or air hose and blow through as well as between the cores of the radiator and the air/con until it's all clean, see what that does. It won't eliminate the fans going to high speed as that's what they're supposed to do, but it could make it that they go to fast much less and get the temperature down a bit lower. After all, the condensor is there to dispose of the heat it has withdrawn from the cabin.
<b>4</b> If the system has no leaks, then they <b>do not require filling every year!</b> This is a fallacy spread by dodgy repairers who will milk your wallet for doing nothing.
An air conditioning system contains gas it does not use it as a barbeque or stove would. It is a sealed system and whilst it may be a case that they need topping up every few years, in most cases the only time they need refilling is if they have a leak. It is at this point the leak must be found and fixed as simply filling up is only a temporary fix and is sloppy workmanship.
Hope that is some help to you.
Alan S
<b>1</b> If you set the thermostat to the lowest temp setting, in theory you would expect it to freeze you; in practice it can be counter productive and may partially ice the coil. Use a reasonable temp setting (say 22 degrees) and it should feel more comfortable. My system has to be able to cope with temps as it was last year, an indicated 49 degrees on one occasion.
<b>2</b> Yes, there is a safety switch that chops in when the pressure exceeds a certin thing on the high pressure side of the system.
Under normal circumstances, the car has air passing over the condensor when the car is on the move, the fans are there to duplicate this when the car is stationary. When the car stops, then the system relies entirely on the fans and high speed chops in to get rid of the excessive load that is imposed on the system.
<b>3</b> The specialist could be correct as too much gas would also cause these problems but if it only does it when stopped, I'd be inclined to suggest his second diagnosis of clogged core might be closer to the mark. If you can loosen the radiator and get a high pressure cleaner or air hose and blow through as well as between the cores of the radiator and the air/con until it's all clean, see what that does. It won't eliminate the fans going to high speed as that's what they're supposed to do, but it could make it that they go to fast much less and get the temperature down a bit lower. After all, the condensor is there to dispose of the heat it has withdrawn from the cabin.
<b>4</b> If the system has no leaks, then they <b>do not require filling every year!</b> This is a fallacy spread by dodgy repairers who will milk your wallet for doing nothing.
An air conditioning system contains gas it does not use it as a barbeque or stove would. It is a sealed system and whilst it may be a case that they need topping up every few years, in most cases the only time they need refilling is if they have a leak. It is at this point the leak must be found and fixed as simply filling up is only a temporary fix and is sloppy workmanship.
Hope that is some help to you.
Alan S
Thanks for the answer.
To clarify the relay bit, last summer I have to replace relays few times, replacing them with original ones. Last time electrician declared that because fans are old and hence their respective bearings they tend to drew to much currency which results in melted relay. After he installed stronger relays it has stoped the problem. He told me that the best way to deal with it would be new fans (complete). Since it is on the expensive side it will wait a while.
To clarify the relay bit, last summer I have to replace relays few times, replacing them with original ones. Last time electrician declared that because fans are old and hence their respective bearings they tend to drew to much currency which results in melted relay. After he installed stronger relays it has stoped the problem. He told me that the best way to deal with it would be new fans (complete). Since it is on the expensive side it will wait a while.
Here's an option worth considering;
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... C_ID=10752
Most expensive part of this is the labour to remove and refit the fans from the car, but if you can do it yourself, you'll find this is a very low cost option.
If you can buy a couple of second hand or even "dead" fans and do them up before you start on the removal, it may save time.
I would also suggest to get the wiring checked or replaced leading to the fans as I would imagine it is beginning to get into a bit of a state by now if it's been drawing enough to burn out relays.
Alan S
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... C_ID=10752
Most expensive part of this is the labour to remove and refit the fans from the car, but if you can do it yourself, you'll find this is a very low cost option.
If you can buy a couple of second hand or even "dead" fans and do them up before you start on the removal, it may save time.
I would also suggest to get the wiring checked or replaced leading to the fans as I would imagine it is beginning to get into a bit of a state by now if it's been drawing enough to burn out relays.
Alan S