Vantage Air-con question

[melhuishjames]

Hi, I have a 2011 Vantage and whilst in Europe with the car recently I was really underwhelmed by its air-con. I’ve never used it in anger before and never had a car regased to know the impact. It passed “cool” air just not “COLD” air. Is this just a vantage model thing or will a re gas resolve.

I have a series 1 lotus Exige with air con and it’s a running theme with owners from new how rubbish it is so wondered if similar or something I can improve.

Thanks

[TheRainMaker]

Mine is icy cold

[bogie]

It should be really cold, the aircon works great in my 2012 Roadster. Could need a re-gas, and they usually check for leaks whilst regassing.

[BiggaJ]

I don't feel the Vantage has the best air flow, it does sometimes feel a little asthmatic to me however, it should be blowing very cold air.

[melhuishjames]

Thanks everyone - I’ll organise a re gas 👍

[Nigel_O]

Regas is the first step, but if it has lost gas, it will lose it again, so you need to get the system checked for leaks.

My condenser had a pin-hole that was very gradually letting gas out - the aircon worked fine when I bought the car, but by spring, it was blowing lukewarm air.

Condenser was about £400 and it's now blowing very cold

[alscar]

My trusty 13 year old Defender was fitted with an expensive option at the time namely aircon -I say expensive as basically it’s a non working switch.
My Exige S3 had aircon which was pretty decent though - it had windows which also luckily worked which made it easier to hand adjust the mirrors ( both sides ) - I think they came off a mini metro ?!

[SL500UK]

Nigel_O said:

Condenser was about £400 and it's now blowing very cold

How much was it for someone to supply and fit a new condenser, and can any garage do this?

[Nigel_O]

SL500UK said:

How much was it for someone to supply and fit a new condenser, and can any garage do this?

Bought the condenser from AstonMartinBits and got my (very) trusted garage to fit it and re-gas it. About £500 for the entire job.

I helped with the fitting - it was a bit fiddly, but two of us had it done in under 3 hours

[8Tech]

AC should be vacuumed and re-gassed every 3 years together with UV dye and PAG (compressor) lubricant. All systems gradually lose gas over time, its not necessarily a leak.

[randytusk]

|I'd also check the cabin filters - surprisingly restrictive once they are all caked in dust and pollen......

[acole]

I had to replace my compressor recently, and after I had the system recharged it was blowing 6C air at full cold. The shop manual has a curve that shows what the tolerance is based on the ambient temperature.

[maccavvy]

ive just replaced my condensor today , leak was spotted using a uv light at the liquid gas etc is green and flourescent

[idealstandard]

my 2011 V12 is a really effective aircon system, ice cold, Reckon a regas is a good place to start...!