How can you make sure the a/c is cold as possible?
07-06-2009, 12:26 AM
#1
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How can you make sure the a/c is cold as possible?
The weather recently has been consistently over 100F for the past couple weeks here in central Texas and it has me wondering, how cold should the a/c be? How can I be sure it's blowing the coldest air possible?
I went to AutoZone earlier today to use a recharge kit and after some help with an AutoZone employee we got the a/c recharged. I'm not sure if it's my imagination but the system didn't seem to be any colder after driving around.
I have some long highway trips planned here in Texas so it would be nice to have the a/c blowing cold no matter how hot it is outside. The car in question is a 2000SE. The radiator was recently replaced so other than that everything seems to be fine. Also the compressor as far as I know is the original compressor since the car was purchased in 2007.
I went to AutoZone earlier today to use a recharge kit and after some help with an AutoZone employee we got the a/c recharged. I'm not sure if it's my imagination but the system didn't seem to be any colder after driving around.
I have some long highway trips planned here in Texas so it would be nice to have the a/c blowing cold no matter how hot it is outside. The car in question is a 2000SE. The radiator was recently replaced so other than that everything seems to be fine. Also the compressor as far as I know is the original compressor since the car was purchased in 2007.
07-06-2009, 12:42 AM
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 388
you only need to recharge if there is a leak. if there is a leak, the air won't stay cold forever. Better get that leak fixed.
but the cold air should be around 40-50 degrees regardless out outdoor temperature.
but the cold air should be around 40-50 degrees regardless out outdoor temperature.
07-06-2009, 02:35 AM
#3
I'm in Texas also and it takes my car about 20 minutes to begin to get comfortable after starting it up when it sits in the sun. According to the fsm section HA page 173, the air blowing out of the center dash vent should be between 64 and 77 degrees when the outside air is 95 degrees. The chart shows that the higher the humidity, the higher the temp of the cool air.
There are conditions where the evaporator core will freeze up from condensation and reduce/prevent cooling by reducing the airflow throught the evaporator core. One of them is putting too much refrigerant in the compressor. Maybe you should consider taking the car to some a/c service place that has a $29 check-the-a/c special and see what they say.
There are conditions where the evaporator core will freeze up from condensation and reduce/prevent cooling by reducing the airflow throught the evaporator core. One of them is putting too much refrigerant in the compressor. Maybe you should consider taking the car to some a/c service place that has a $29 check-the-a/c special and see what they say.
07-06-2009, 05:16 AM
#4
Having too much refrigerant will keep the system from being as cool as it can. If it's been overcharged in the past it won't work right till refrigerant is pulled out. Adding more wont help.
Like DennisMik said. Have it checked out by a pro with the right equipment.
Like DennisMik said. Have it checked out by a pro with the right equipment.
07-06-2009, 06:51 AM
#5
This is what I would do if I were you:
1. Invest in a $5.00 thermometer to put in your vent. You can pick one up at your local auto parts or pool store.
2. In a shaded place, stick it in the middle vent. The a/c should be on full blast and all the windows rolled up. Keep the RPM at about 2 grand. Wait about 5 minutes or so.
3. If the temp is around 45 or so, then you're good to go. If not, then it could get colder.
Try this 1st before you waste your time going to shop.
1. Invest in a $5.00 thermometer to put in your vent. You can pick one up at your local auto parts or pool store.
2. In a shaded place, stick it in the middle vent. The a/c should be on full blast and all the windows rolled up. Keep the RPM at about 2 grand. Wait about 5 minutes or so.
3. If the temp is around 45 or so, then you're good to go. If not, then it could get colder.
Try this 1st before you waste your time going to shop.
07-06-2009, 08:32 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 279
This is what I would do if I were you:
1. Invest in a $5.00 thermometer to put in your vent. You can pick one up at your local auto parts or pool store.
2. In a shaded place, stick it in the middle vent. The a/c should be on full blast and all the windows rolled up. Keep the RPM at about 2 grand. Wait about 5 minutes or so.
3. If the temp is around 45 or so, then you're good to go. If not, then it could get colder.
Try this 1st before you waste your time going to shop.
1. Invest in a $5.00 thermometer to put in your vent. You can pick one up at your local auto parts or pool store.
2. In a shaded place, stick it in the middle vent. The a/c should be on full blast and all the windows rolled up. Keep the RPM at about 2 grand. Wait about 5 minutes or so.
3. If the temp is around 45 or so, then you're good to go. If not, then it could get colder.
Try this 1st before you waste your time going to shop.
Depending on the ambient temperature and humidity, this is just a rule of thumb, but you can get the temps into the 30's when charged properly. No substitute for gauges and doing it properly.
07-06-2009, 02:17 PM
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 28
Thanks a lot for the tips. I'd be interested in getting that thermometer just for future references. If all else fails, I'll take it to a mechanic to look at the A/C. Cold a/c can only be a good thing here in this heat.
07-06-2009, 10:06 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 7
Had the same problem occasionally when my car was new. Found I had to crank the thermostat down to 60 degrees and override the fan by punching it up full, after about 5 minutes my teeth chattered. Worth a try, anyway. Good luck.
07-08-2009, 10:54 AM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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The last two posts are what I want to happen with my car....lol. I bought a thermometer today from O'Reillys and after 5 minutes it was registering 55F through the center vent. In my opinion that ain't cold enough.
How did you override the fan like that? As for the thermostat, I kinda miss the slider control on the old Maxima I used to have. What if I want the car to be colder than 60 degrees inside?
How did you override the fan like that? As for the thermostat, I kinda miss the slider control on the old Maxima I used to have. What if I want the car to be colder than 60 degrees inside?
Last edited by FM 1970; 07-08-2009 at 02:22 PM. Reason: grammar....
07-08-2009, 12:18 PM
#13
07-08-2009, 05:18 PM
#14
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Well it indeed wasn't cold enough. 
I took it to a mechanic and he said there was too much coolant in the system. He vacuumed some out and did a temperature reading with his laser thermometer and said it came out to around 38F.
Obviously it felt much colder and even with being 106F outside I forgot how hot it was. The thermometer I bought seems like a piece of crap because it was reporting 50F and even the mechanic noted the discrepancy between my thermometer and his laser thermometer.
Anyway, the guy only charged me $37.50 so I'm a happy customer.
I took it to a mechanic and he said there was too much coolant in the system. He vacuumed some out and did a temperature reading with his laser thermometer and said it came out to around 38F. Obviously it felt much colder and even with being 106F outside I forgot how hot it was. The thermometer I bought seems like a piece of crap because it was reporting 50F and even the mechanic noted the discrepancy between my thermometer and his laser thermometer.
Anyway, the guy only charged me $37.50 so I'm a happy customer.
07-08-2009, 05:57 PM
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 160
Well it indeed wasn't cold enough. I took it to a mechanic and he said there was too much coolant in the system. He vacuumed some out and did a temperature reading with his laser thermometer and said it came out to around 38F.
Obviously it felt much colder and even with being 106F outside I forgot how hot it was. The thermometer I bought seems like a piece of crap because it was reporting 50F and even the mechanic noted the discrepancy between my thermometer and his laser thermometer.
Anyway, the guy only charged me $37.50 so I'm a happy customer.
I took it to a mechanic and he said there was too much coolant in the system. He vacuumed some out and did a temperature reading with his laser thermometer and said it came out to around 38F. Obviously it felt much colder and even with being 106F outside I forgot how hot it was. The thermometer I bought seems like a piece of crap because it was reporting 50F and even the mechanic noted the discrepancy between my thermometer and his laser thermometer.
Anyway, the guy only charged me $37.50 so I'm a happy customer.
07-09-2009, 07:46 AM
#16
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 28
coolant as in anti freeze ?? or freon,,,,,overcharging the system tends to raise the pressure on the high discharge side of the compressor ,,overworking the compressor produces more heat on the condensor,,and the air coming out of the vents will not be as cool..normal low side charging pressure for 134 freon is 35 pounds with the outside temperature at 85 degrees,,
No coolant as in R134a/freon. Thanks for that information, that's good to know. The more = better doesn't seem to apply to the air conditioner.
07-09-2009, 07:58 AM
#17
Well it indeed wasn't cold enough. I took it to a mechanic and he said there was too much coolant in the system. He vacuumed some out and did a temperature reading with his laser thermometer and said it came out to around 38F.
Obviously it felt much colder and even with being 106F outside I forgot how hot it was. The thermometer I bought seems like a piece of crap because it was reporting 50F and even the mechanic noted the discrepancy between my thermometer and his laser thermometer.
Anyway, the guy only charged me $37.50 so I'm a happy customer.
I took it to a mechanic and he said there was too much coolant in the system. He vacuumed some out and did a temperature reading with his laser thermometer and said it came out to around 38F. Obviously it felt much colder and even with being 106F outside I forgot how hot it was. The thermometer I bought seems like a piece of crap because it was reporting 50F and even the mechanic noted the discrepancy between my thermometer and his laser thermometer.
Anyway, the guy only charged me $37.50 so I'm a happy customer.
And how did your system end up overcharged?
Nevermind. I just read your initial post again. This always kills me!!! Like I tell all my customers: "Do not have your car's a/c charged with those stupid cans of freon by the auto parts people. Take it to a professional. You must always evac the entire system before discharging freon in it."
Last edited by rroderiques77; 07-09-2009 at 08:02 AM.
07-09-2009, 12:01 PM
#18
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 28
What was the temperature before the repairs with his "laser"? I bet you yours was not that far off.
And how did your system end up overcharged?
Nevermind. I just read your initial post again. This always kills me!!! Like I tell all my customers: "Do not have your car's a/c charged with those stupid cans of freon by the auto parts people. Take it to a professional. You must always evac the entire system before discharging freon in it."
And how did your system end up overcharged?
Nevermind. I just read your initial post again. This always kills me!!! Like I tell all my customers: "Do not have your car's a/c charged with those stupid cans of freon by the auto parts people. Take it to a professional. You must always evac the entire system before discharging freon in it."
I was wondering whether or not putting some pipe insulation around the pipe near the low pressure valve would provide cooler air to the interior of the car. When I touch it it's really cold but I wonder how much "coldness" is dissipated into the heat of the engine compartment. Would covering that up do any good or is it best just to leave it alone?
Picture for reference(picture stolen from another thread
): 
07-10-2009, 06:58 AM
#19
I never got the reading before the repair but before that the a/c was just teasing me with cool air and now it's much cooler.
I was wondering whether or not putting some pipe insulation around the pipe near the low pressure valve would provide cooler air to the interior of the car. When I touch it it's really cold but I wonder how much "coldness" is dissipated into the heat of the engine compartment. Would covering that up do any good or is it best just to leave it alone?
Picture for reference(picture stolen from another thread ):
I was wondering whether or not putting some pipe insulation around the pipe near the low pressure valve would provide cooler air to the interior of the car. When I touch it it's really cold but I wonder how much "coldness" is dissipated into the heat of the engine compartment. Would covering that up do any good or is it best just to leave it alone?
Picture for reference(picture stolen from another thread
):
07-10-2009, 08:49 AM
#20
The last two posts are what I want to happen with my car....lol. I bought a thermometer today from O'Reillys and after 5 minutes it was registering 55F through the center vent. In my opinion that ain't cold enough.
How did you override the fan like that? As for the thermostat, I kinda miss the slider control on the old Maxima I used to have. What if I want the car to be colder than 60 degrees inside?
How did you override the fan like that? As for the thermostat, I kinda miss the slider control on the old Maxima I used to have. What if I want the car to be colder than 60 degrees inside?
like it would go above 90F when you set it to 90.
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