AirCon - how cold ?

[cornclose]

How cold should it get on a phase 2 ? It gets cold enough, and cools the car down, but it doesn't seem to give me that icy blast that my A6 gave me...

So, is this a trait of phase 2's ? I heard it was, but would like other feedback please!

[AlanG]

As far as I know all air-con systems use the same refrigerant so should,in theory all be blowing at the same temp and from memory that is about -1 degrees. Has it been re-done since you've owned it? They do need to be running a while before they settle though. HTH

[cornclose]

-1 !! I don't think any system is that cold...

+8 to +10 deg.C probably, and mine does get that cold, but not instantly. It hasn't been regassed since I've had it, so maybe I should investigate again whether it's worth doing. The last time I asked my local friendly Volvo specialist, he'd said the phase 2's never were as icy as the phase 1's.

It's not an issue with cooling - it works well, but it never seems to blow out icy cold air like other cars I've had.

Who's going to be the first to measure the vent temperature with their A/C on full blast then ?? !!

[Rufe]

Minus 1 would simply be unbearable and probably quite dangerous i reckon!

official answer is cornclose is pretty much on the money:

Temperature of the expelled air measured at the centre panel vents = 6°C to 9°C
(43°F to 48°F)

(With ambient temperature at 20 degrees)

Simon

[cornclose]

Is there a spec as to how soon this temp should be reached Simon ?

[Rufe]

sorry, this is what i was coming back to add in fact, this would be the temperature after 8 minutes of running.

Here is the official procedure:

Climate System, Performance Test:
Performance Test

Conditions
Bonnet closed
Doors and windows closed
Start the engine
Engine speed 1500 rpm.


Turn the temperature selector(s) to maximum cooling
Set the air distribution selector to the Ventilation position
Set the recirculation switch to the On position
Set the air conditioning (A/C) button to the On position
Set the blower fan switch to 50%.

Position a thermometer at the centre dashboard vents
Allow the system to stabilize itself for at least 8 minutes.

Recorded operating conditions:
6°C to 9°C (43°F to 48°F)
- Ambient Temperature at 20°C

[Davew]

I had mine done a few months back. I looked at the temp sensor once done and it was reading 7 °C

I know what you mean though about it not being instant. It does take about 10 minutes to get going fully.

If I had it on 19 today (was 29 outside temp) and with the vents pointed at me I got too cold so had to point the vents up. But it does take a while to cool down properly.

[cookie]

my P1 V70 isn't anywhere as cold as 460, which within 30 secs of turning on almost gives frost bite if you angle vents onto your hands

[dave stew]

I had mine regassed by DPA last week and it's markedly better in this hot spell. I recall my A6 got pretty cold, but it's a very subjective thing without sticking thermometers into various orifices.

And the car vents.

[AlanG]

Minus 1 would simply be unbearable and probably quite dangerous i reckon!

official answer is cornclose is pretty much on the money:

Temperature of the expelled air measured at the centre panel vents = 6°C to 9°C
(43°F to 48°F)

(With ambient temperature at 20 degrees)

Simon

Though I read -1 somewhere.......must have been wrong. Does get very cold though,to the point of switching it off and opening the window for some heat.

[straight5]

Mine is rubbish, but I suspect I have a leak in the system. Ive never experienced better AC than in an E Series Avante Garde, Merc. We were making little clouds with our breath and driving through South France in 90 degrees.

[princepugh]

Real world, for an older vehicle in fairly hot conditions probably more like 10-12°C
If you suspect a leak, a dye can be added when re-gassing, visible under UV.

[Rufe]

Who's going to be the first to measure the vent temperature with their A/C on full blast then ?? !!
my C70 hit the lowest point of 6.9 degrees C today, ambient temp 22 degrees, following above procedure.

[lance]

Its defo not quite as good as on a p1.