dare I speak about Air Conditioning???
Discussion
well at least I am not going to talk about a leak..
I am back to the basics.. and baffled I am
It cools sometimes but kicks off on the low pressure switch. I have had the system drained and filled and the amount of refrigerant is right and it is nto leaking.
what my question is is the basic flow. OF the refrigerant.
the compressor compresses the gas after the evaporator and sends high pressure gas to the front of the car.
it should be cooled in the condensor where it turns to a liquid then it passes through the receiver drier and you can see the flow through the inspection window.. should be very few bubbles if all is ok.
then to the expansion valve the liquid is let into the evaporator where it cooles the air as it turns to a vapour again. the expansion valve has some temp control to keep it from freezing up.
I think that is right.
what is strange is that the flow through the sight glass on the drier is clearly going towards the front of the car. is it possible that somehow the hoses on the system got reversed..they look like the same fitting on both the suction and discharge line of the compressor.
I just cant see why i cant get cold
95.5 S4s
Bruce
I am back to the basics.. and baffled I am
It cools sometimes but kicks off on the low pressure switch. I have had the system drained and filled and the amount of refrigerant is right and it is nto leaking.
what my question is is the basic flow. OF the refrigerant.
the compressor compresses the gas after the evaporator and sends high pressure gas to the front of the car.
it should be cooled in the condensor where it turns to a liquid then it passes through the receiver drier and you can see the flow through the inspection window.. should be very few bubbles if all is ok.
then to the expansion valve the liquid is let into the evaporator where it cooles the air as it turns to a vapour again. the expansion valve has some temp control to keep it from freezing up.
I think that is right.
what is strange is that the flow through the sight glass on the drier is clearly going towards the front of the car. is it possible that somehow the hoses on the system got reversed..they look like the same fitting on both the suction and discharge line of the compressor.
I just cant see why i cant get cold
95.5 S4s
Bruce
Hi Bruce. Usually - (I stress this as I have seen otherwise) the hoses you refer to are different sizes. I have seen on a Ferrari that only the threads were different (ie. Left hand and right hand threads). However, for every designer that builds in ways to prevent mistakes, there is a good mech out there that can "make it fit"...
Could be an optical effect in the sight glass? I know mine is hard to tell... If there is movement I'd think that it is not blocked... hmmm... and if the compressor is doing its job (and not just running).. I'm not sure. Let me ask the 'expert' here in town tomorrow and post his ideas...
I'll get back,
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Could be an optical effect in the sight glass? I know mine is hard to tell... If there is movement I'd think that it is not blocked... hmmm... and if the compressor is doing its job (and not just running).. I'm not sure. Let me ask the 'expert' here in town tomorrow and post his ideas...
I'll get back,
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
can someone do me a big favour... look at your sight glass on the R-D and tell me what way the bubbles seeem to be moving..
Oh, also feel the hoses to the RD are cold on my esprit... and frosty.. but on my BMW the pipes for the receiver drier are hot ..
are your pipes to the drier hot or cold?
Bruce
Oh, also feel the hoses to the RD are cold on my esprit... and frosty.. but on my BMW the pipes for the receiver drier are hot ..
are your pipes to the drier hot or cold?
Bruce
Hi Bruce.. I think that it was a Lotus design change... a way of improving the engine cooling.. run the AC backwards, chill the condenser (now evaporator) to provide cool air for the engine radiator 
Seriously though, I have a mechanic friend who specializes in AC, I can have him call you if you like. Jan
Seriously though, I have a mechanic friend who specializes in AC, I can have him call you if you like. Jan
well i spoke to the dealer here and to my local mechanic and they both agree a cold receiver drier is very unusual.
They are not sure if it is possible to connect the hoses backwards. i will have to trace them if I can today when i get home.
Id sure like one of you to fire up your AC and tell me if :
A) the R-D is cold or hot
b) if you can see what direction the bubbles appear to move through the sight glass.
seems like all the shops have mechanics on summer holiday and are short staffed. Not good in places where summer (Lotus season) is short.
Bruce S4s
They are not sure if it is possible to connect the hoses backwards. i will have to trace them if I can today when i get home.
Id sure like one of you to fire up your AC and tell me if :
A) the R-D is cold or hot
b) if you can see what direction the bubbles appear to move through the sight glass.
seems like all the shops have mechanics on summer holiday and are short staffed. Not good in places where summer (Lotus season) is short.
Bruce S4s
Bruce,
Don't know if this will help or not, but here goes. I had the A/C on my 88 Turbo worked on this spring. First off, the system was recharged. Next the dealer discovered there were a few relays that needed to be replaced. Lastly when they thought all was well and good, they told me the temperature control (on the dash) was defective. That was replaced and all seems to be fine... well, probably as good as it's going to get. I think the design of the dash leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to vent placement/effectiveness. Once the car gets going it does cool down nicely, but the 90 degree heat does seem to make it work some, especially after sitting out all day in the sun.
Kevin
Don't know if this will help or not, but here goes. I had the A/C on my 88 Turbo worked on this spring. First off, the system was recharged. Next the dealer discovered there were a few relays that needed to be replaced. Lastly when they thought all was well and good, they told me the temperature control (on the dash) was defective. That was replaced and all seems to be fine... well, probably as good as it's going to get. I think the design of the dash leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to vent placement/effectiveness. Once the car gets going it does cool down nicely, but the 90 degree heat does seem to make it work some, especially after sitting out all day in the sun.
Kevin
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