gohorns

My A/C cools really good when the car is moving, on long drives gets a little chilly on the first setting but when I start the car and have it full blast while idling it takes forever to cool. I pretty much have to be moving for the cool air to start flowing. Is this a rotary or a turbo thing or does my A/C need repair?

Thanks

CPA

I switched my system over to the new freon and I do get that problem, maybe not as bad as you. When I am moving, it is very cold. At first when I am at idle, it does not cool down that great. It does take a minute or so.

JM1FD

iTrader: (1)

Could be one of several things, although first let me say that so system will cool as well at a standstill as on the roll.

Your fans may not be working right, so your condenser is heatsoaking and tripping the compressor out on high pressure.

Your compressor might be getting old and worn out, and not moving enough refrigerant at idle.

You might be low on refrigerant...but in that case it wouldn't get cold even on the move, unless the ambient temperatures are low.

Trexthe3rd

looking at your location and considering the time of the year, your typical day time temps will prob reach well into the mid and high 90s. It is a known fact that small/compact cars (such as the FD) does not have very efficient compressors (even if it's new). Any automotive AC specialist will tell you that at idle with 90+ ambient temp, the AC will work but cannot lower the temperature to a comfortable level. Typically a 10 deg drop is all you'll get at idle and if it's 98 deg outside, you are talking about 88 deg inlet air temp, if you couple that with a dark interior, you'll still be cooking at over 90 deg. So there is nothing wrong with your AC, it's just a fact of life.

gohorns

Thanks for the info everyone

Trex: The heat out here is intense and I just change my red leather seats to black cloth so It's posible you are correct but compared to my other car its takes much longer to cool.

By the way is the 12a any better than the new stuff? I know the 12a costs more??

Trexthe3rd

Are u referring to R-12? If so, R-12 is slightly more effecient at heat transfer than R134a, but does cost almost 5 times as much. The EPA is trying to phase out the use of R-12 so the price is going to keep getting higher. When the system is fully charged (not at idleing speed) R134a works well, the difference is not noticeable.
By the way, try this test, take the car out at night when the temp drops below 80, and you'll realize that the AC works fine at idle.

JConn2299

Your system doesn't need a repair. I've owned my car since new, and it works exactly as you described.