Air conditioning on QP - advice needed

[Marc777]

Just returned from a trip to London and with temperatures over 28 this is the first hot spell we have been on a long trip in the QP. The aircon was very poor.Ended up driving with the windows down, which whilst good for the underpasses was not good for Mrs N's hairdo !,

Presumably it can be re-gassed or at least diagnosed - is thgis a common issue? A link to any threads would be useful - I have look but to no avail.

Thanks

Marc

 

[BennyD]

So the QP isn't the coolest car on the planet after all!

 

[Parisien]

So the QP isn't the coolest car on the planet after all!

......cooler than a bucket of deep frozen frogs Ian...................air-con is for wimps anyways.........come on Marc...........macho up a bit...............instruct Mrs Marc....to divest herself of warm clothes whilst out in the QP....


P

 

[maserati]

Hi Marc,

The air conditioning system fitted to the QP is both efficient and effective. However, it does need regular maintenance to keep it in tip top condition. Certainly it requires servicing every two years. This means a filter change and regas. This work can be undertaken by a main agent or independant Maserati specialist.

Regards,

Paul ........ Cool, cool as a moutain stream....... And no this is not an advertisement for a packet of menthol cigarettes. Those of you old enough might remember!

 

[Gixerboy]

Hi Marc, if was working correctly I would suspect a refrigerant leak, this is easy to check.. but not so easy to find..
First of all lift the bonnet, the compressor is driven off the auxiliary belt & has an electro magnetic clutch that pulls in when you press the AC button, this can be verified by listening for a metallic click/ clunk. With the engine running press the AC button, you should hear the clutch pull in. If u cannot here the click, the system low pressure switch has opened. This indicates a leak. I would suspect the Condenser Coil first as this may have picked up a stone. don't be tempted to just regas without having the leak identified. I would recommend an AC specialist not a main dealer for the diagnosis... if the system has a leak, the correct quantity of compressor oil will need adding to the system as well as the correct volume of refrigerant.( plate in engine bay) if this is done incorrectly it could lead to liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor causing terminal damage. Hope that helps ,
Dave

 

[Marc777]

Great advice as ever guys thank you. What a forum!

For the record Mrs marc had a smallest of sun dresses and there was no practical possibility of wearing less - and the heat rising from under the car when in London traffic was extraordinary. But temp guage was static at 195 i am glad to say... just needed air con so we could shut the windows!

Marc

 

[Parisien]

...was only gesting of course.......Marc....yup...a mate had a leak.....took them 3 re-gases to find.....not a Maser I hasten to add........cause they said they had to fill up each time to fine the 3 faults!!!


P

 

[Gixerboy]

Regarding finding leaks, Bonified AC specialist are not allowed to regas by law without finding the leak first. You are not allowed to just pump in CFCs,refrigerant that may be released into the air. The process is, install dye into system, pressurise with nitrogen, find & repair leak, vac out system, ensure holds vacuum, replace filter/ dryer then pump in under pressure correct quantity of refrigerant ( R134a etc) & measured quatity of compressor oil. I've worked in the commercial HVAC industry for 15 years & find the lack of technical ability in the automotive sector frightening. Again avoid the Main Deslers, they will only subcontract the work, without knowledge of how to fix it!!
Good luck with the repair Marc
Dave

 

[Marc777]

I shall be calling these guys later

http://mobileclimatecare-swindon.co.uk/

Thanks again

 

[Simon]

Regarding finding leaks, Bonified AC specialist are not allowed to regas by law without finding the leak first. You are not allowed to just pump in CFCs,refrigerant that may be released into the air. The process is, install dye into system, pressurise with nitrogen, find & repair leak, vac out system, ensure holds vacuum, replace filter/ dryer then pump in under pressure correct quantity of refrigerant ( R134a etc) & measured quatity of compressor oil. I've worked in the commercial HVAC industry for 15 years & find the lack of technical ability in the automotive sector frightening. Again avoid the Main Deslers, they will only subcontract the work, without knowledge of how to fix it!!
Good luck with the repair Marc
Dave

Thats funny, at my last service JCT told me there was a gas leak put they told me they have just regassed the system anyway and for me to see how it goes!

 

[Gixerboy]

Simon,
What can I say.... if ur engine was leaking coolant, u wouldn't expect the dealer to just top it up... because refrigerant is a gas at atmospheric pressure & dosn't leave a puddle on ur drive, they seem to treat the diagnosis as less critical, hence "see how it goes" Think Id better get off my pedistall now.......cheers all

 

[Marc777]

The guy coming on Wednesday says he will test pressures eetc first to diagnose as no point in just topping up - his words not mine ,,,,

 

[Gixerboy]

Hope it goes well, I would suspect the condenser, I'm sure Eurospares may list a part..
Cheers