Avensis Air Con

[Prox]

Using the Air con the other day in this heat we have been gettin and noticed firstly that it wasnt really that cold, not at all really. Used it about week previously and seemed fine then. Secondly when it was on i could feel a very noticable drag on the performance of the car not continously but intermitent. Never before have I felt this. And thirdly the fan on the car would start (even when engine cold), have to stress thought that as soon as the A/C was turned off the car resumed to its normal self. Have heard of A/C Re - gassing? or something but its the seroius engine drag thats worrying me.

Has anyone any surgestions or similar experiences?

Many Thanks

[oldskool]

Hi,

The AIRCON will definately take some power from the engine in my opinion about 25% its completely normal so dont worry, the aircon gas does run out and can be recharged for about £60-70 and should last 2 years approx. I know on my GT4 the fan does come on even when cold with the AC on so I wouldnt worry about that either. The drag does come on/off in my car too.

Hope it helps

[Prox]

Thanks for that, will get it recharged, just never felt it drag before.

Thanks again

Mark

[cal]

About the drag, this might be a long shot, but it could be the AC compressor seizing up. But again, if it is the AC compressor, the belt should slip so... Hmm, strange...

Do you use the AC regularly or just when it gets hot, i.e. switched on once or twice a year?

[Prox]

Do use it quite alot really yeah, know the compressor comes off the main drive belt system along with other toys like Power Steering etc but a drag thats intermittent seems wierd and even when actually feel the drag not output to the temp changes! Used to having almost snow coming out previous to this problem!!! :D :D

Think I'll give it to my dealer to have a look at. The last known thing done to the A/C was the de bacteria stuff they do that was back in April at its service interval.

[cal]

If you use it a lot, the compressor seizure is unlikely...

Possibly blocked expansion valve but again this is hard to establish without carrying out various tests.

Hope it gets sorted soon.

[oldskool]

Find out how much Toyota will charge for re-gassing if its well over £60-70 get it done elsewhere I am sure if you look hard enough you can get it done for £50.

Good luck mate

[The Real Tao]

:D I've also noticed reduced performance from my air-con. ie ..worked fine when it was warm out but not so when it was HOT.

I've since done a few trials and came to the following conclusions:

1) Nobody wants a chill.

2) Opening all windows to "get rid of" latent heat then setting the vent to rescirc while air-con is on and windows and "moon-roof" closed will result in an ambient temperature within.

ok.... this only works within the test parameters which include a top outside temp of 23 C.

Perhaps the Avensis was built for Scotland

[sjrainsford]

Hiya! Let us know how you get on and what sort of price you pay, don't think mine is as good as it should be. In some of this warm weather we've been having it's struggled to keep up even with the fan on full pelt.

Also, mines a 1.8 and the drag on this engine when using the aircon is very noticeable. It has been since i've had it so I would say that's normal.

[Prox]

:D :D :D :D :D IT WORKS!!!!! Back to playing with snowballs inside!!!

Took it to the Toyota dealer yesterday, from what I can gather they checked it and found that when was last serviced their gauge gave a false reading of the gas?? level and so must have been low. they quoted £95 but said because it was their error no charge (nice1 toyota)

Only actually tested it properly on way back from the dealer BUT !!! NO DRAG ANYMORE!!! wasnt really a drag more of a shudder and sudden gap in acceleration, but its now back to its normal self.

My advice sjrainsford is if you feel £95 is ok, get it recharged :) its worth it when your sitting in Alaska and the ouside is Spain!!

Thanks for everyones help in solving my problem

Mark

[sjrainsford]

Oh that's great, glad to hear it. Will try and find it a bit cheaper if I can, but good on toyota! :D