General air con / pollen filter / low air stream ???

[its_jon]

Have done a forum search and got some ideas but I just want to float my cars symptoms as well.

1) air con off - I don't get much air from the blower
2) fan off - air con is very lame (but working)
3) fan on - no difference between air con off and air con on

could this be simply a blocked pollen filter ? I had assumed the air con was broken in some way but it does not smell funny - its just lame.

 

[Deckchair5]

Lame or dead?
With your air con, engine running, select max cold temp and put your hand on the low pressure recharge point.

This should feel freezing cold within minutes. If not then your aircon isn't working
Find out then report back

 

[its_jon]

I guess its not working.... it got no cooler

I know nothing about air con... its my first car that has it.

I don't get any funny smells from it... so does that mean its not working at all ?

When the car is stationary with 'no fan on', if the air con is activated I sense a slight change in engine tone and cold air (a bit limp though) comes out of the vents which I presume is a promising sign.

What's my next check ? and thanks.

 

[Muppet1]

Sounds like the compresser is engaging so maybe you need to have a refill and check done on your air-con. I bought a refill from halfords last year to top mine up but will have to take it to a air-con service agent this time as its a bit feeble.

I dont think reading this forum that the stilo's have a good heater/blower/air-con system full stop, I know this stilo of mine is rubbish compared to the air-con i had in my last Escort td which was very good and a very strong fan as well.

 

[its_jon]

Its DIY'able ?

Arr.... so I take it you unscrew one of those black caps on the bulkhead and inject the coolant stuff into the system like filling up a gas lighter ?

anybody got a walk through for topping up the air con ?

As for the the fan power... after doing some forum searching it appears that the pollen filter (in drivers footwell somewhere) clogs up badly killing the fan power a lot... it might be worth checking it out, I will be trying to locate mine .. possibly as soon as today

 

[Deckchair5]

Have a look in the Stilo Guides for how to change the pollen filter. Jam the clutch pedal down with something for more access. Should be changed every year and start of Summer is a good time to get it sorted

Re your air con, it depends what's wrong. If it's never worked then it'll be cheaper and quicker to have an air con guy check and do everything.

Arr.... so I take it you unscrew one of those black caps on the bulkhead and inject the coolant stuff into the system like filling up a gas lighter ?
No. Topping up can be ok as long as it is just topping up of a system that's already running. A complete loss of gas will need the full job done and left to a professional wth all the gear otherwise you're wasting your time and the gas is expensive to buy retail

Some helpful videos here
http://www.id-usa.com/how_to_videos.asp

 

[lifeline]

Had problems with the blowers as they were feeble when i bought the car. Changed the pollen filter (easy jb using the guide) and they are excellent now.

 

[its_jon]

I took the pollen filter out today... gave it a hoover.

Much better air stream now as powerful as any car I have owned.

Something probably wrong with the air con though. hopefully just needs gas. I wish I knew how to check it myself though.

 

[Deckchair5]

Good stuff with the cabin filter
For your air con, what did you not understand about the "how to" videos?

 

[its_jon]

arr.... sorry about that. I missed the video's at first...

they do explain the process.... !

Looks like my compressor is not kicking in after all.... the first video suggests that this may be due to low refrigerant levels.
Does the AC compressor have a fuse to check first ? or any connectors. ?

Looks like you can get a leak sealer which I presume could be a useful thing to put into the system before a recharge anyway.

 

[OzMoSiS]

who wants to put money down on a broken ac pipe?

i really need to know whats wrong with mine too as its bloody boiling these days and a bit of ac'ing wont do any harm

but ya, thats what it probably is, a split ac hose

 

[Deckchair5]

Looks like my compressor is not kicking in after all.... the first video suggests that this may be due to low refrigerant levels.
Does the compressor have a fuse to check first ? or any connectors. ?
Ther are fuses yes but if your gas pressure has become too low then the compressor won't be allowed to start and that's the most common "problem". If you take it to an air con engineer (not the Kwikfit or local tyre shop top up nonsense- you can top up an already running system yourself) but a proper deep vaccuum, system check and refill will only cost around £50 tops and you'll then have a 100% cooling system

 

[chicken_chau_mein]

My air con used to work perfectly, it was so cold it froze the bottom of the windscreen! Having not used it throughout the winter, it still worked fine recently but only a couple of days ago it no longer works. I've researched it (thanks for all the posts) and the compressor clutch was no longer kicking in. I've ordered a recharge kit off ebay and am goin to refill it.

Does anyone think it may have a leak or worse? Its an 05 reg and air con has always worked previously.

 

[Big Black Stilo]

speaking to a refrisgeration/aircon engineer any system can lose gas, but it will be gradual

rapid loss could point to a leak

 

[lifeline]

My air con used to work perfectly, it was so cold it froze the bottom of the windscreen! Having not used it throughout the winter, it still worked fine recently but only a couple of days ago it no longer works. I've researched it (thanks for all the posts) and the compressor clutch was no longer kicking in. I've ordered a recharge kit off ebay and am goin to refill it.

Does anyone think it may have a leak or worse? Its an 05 reg and air con has always worked previously.

Mine was not working until it was fixed today. The first problem was that one of the pipes was broken. The engineer ordered and fitted a new pipe and the system was holding its pressure fine. Secondly, the compressor was still not kicking in and this was due to a loose electrical connection somewhere....its now works fine so i just hope it stays that way!

 

[its_jon]

Looks like my compressor is not kicking in after all.... the first video suggests that this may be due to low refrigerant levels.
Does the compressor have a fuse to check first ? or any connectors. ?
Ther are fuses yes but if your gas pressure has become too low then the compressor won't be allowed to start and that's the most common "problem". If you take it to an air con engineer (not the Kwikfit or local tyre shop top up nonsense- you can top up an already running system yourself) but a proper deep vaccuum, system check and refill will only cost around £50 tops and you'll then have a 100% cooling system

Thanks for all the help.... I will hunt for a respected air con shop in my area.....

However, having just recently bought the car im on an economy drive at the moment so it may have to wait a few months.
My big sunroof will help though