Question on Air Conditioning and refill if needed

[d22av]

Yesterday was about 95F outside and probably 105 in my car when I got in. Now I know that this is a black car with full black leather interior but it took forever for the car to cool off using the AC in recirc AUTO mode set to 60F. I opened all the windows on my way to the car, then opened up the sunroof and drove for about 5 min will all the windows and sunroof open and AC on full power. Then I closed all the windows and sunroof and drove another 15 min to work and the interior just never cooled off. The AC was on AUTO and set to 60F and the fan speed never decreased.

I previously owned a Volvo s40 2000 and it got much colder, much faster. It wasnt a black car and had a cloth interior but I know for a fact that the air coming out of the vents was much colder after 5 min in the Volvo then after 20 min in my MS6. I searched online and found that some people on other sites were saying that its just the car and that Mazda did not design the AC system well. I just wanted to see what other peoples opinion on the matter was. Also the MS6 is a 2006 so maybe its just time to refill the AC system.who knows.


Any response will be greatly appreciated, Thanks everyone!

 

[Evolved]

I have a 2006 with the same issue. Takes FOREVER to cool down. I was contemplating getting the AC system checked on my service visit next week.

 

[batou079]

idk, mine seems to cool off pretty fast. about 10 min it gets damn cool even with the california heat of 100+ degrees has been baking my car all day.

Part of the problem i noticed is our long dashes exposed under our windshields soak up a LOT of heat. So when driving that heat just wafes off into our faces making it difficult to really feel cooled down from the A/C. I use windshield sunshades during the day, but im told that "blueblock" clear film on the windshield (same application as window tint) can cut down up to 50% of that heat for when you are driving around!

gonna be getting that as soon as summer starts full swing in socal.

 

[d22av]

I have a 2006 with the same issue. Takes FOREVER to cool down. I was contemplating getting the AC system checked on my service visit next week.

thanks for the reply guys,

...i was thinking the same thing. Too bad i don't really have the money right now to take her to the dealership. I wonder how common this problem really is....

hopefully more people have had some experience with this. Anyone else?

 

[batou079]

not under full bumper to bumper warranty anymore?
that sux. if you have a trusted mechanic, have him check the freon levels in case you have a small leak, could be low.

 

[d22av]

Refilled and now much better

Thought I'd update you guys and maybe help anyone else with the same issue.
I searched for a long time to see if there was anyone else with any simmilar problems but really couldn't find any good information.

So after doing a lot of research i decided to try and refill the ac system with R-134a with subzero synthetic A/C booster from autozone.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=532242_0_0_

It came with a gauge and a hose to hook it up to the Low Pressure valve for the ac system. I hooked it up and according to the gauge it was low. I followed the directions and turned my car on with the ac on full and ended up putting most of the can into the system before it came up to the correct PSI.

It made a world of a difference. Even when its 98F outside the ac cools the interior off to 70F in about 5 min. I'm very happy with this fix and it only cost me 30$.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

 

[zinger002]

my fmic killed my ac

 

[Flakker]

I'm not speaking from direct experience, nor do I have a refrigeration license or anything, but if you have low pressure in your A/C system, doesn't that imply a leak? And if so, don't you need to get that leak fixed before you lose pressure again or air gets into the system?

 

[TheMarsVolta]

Thanks for the info d22! I've been having these problems for quite some time already especially in this our 104+ heat we've been having. I may do the freon recharging kit and see how that goes.

I'm not speaking from direct experience, nor do I have a refrigeration license or anything, but if you have low pressure in your A/C system, doesn't that imply a leak? And if so, don't you need to get that leak fixed before you lose pressure again or air gets into the system?

I believe what he means is that there are two sides of the system when recharging it. There's a high pressure valve close to he radiator which the dealerships/shops use with a A/C machine and low pressure valve in the passenger side which we can use to refill just like d22 did. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Flakker]

OK, I understand that part, I'm saying if he lost refrigerant that needs to be replaced doesn't it mean he has a leak that needs fixing?

 

[FORZDA 1]

OK, I understand that part, I'm saying if he lost refrigerant that needs to be replaced doesn't it mean he has a leak that needs fixing?

In most cases of "sudden" loss of cooling yes, but many OEM systems have tiny leaks that will take years to leak enough for the driver to notice the cooling loss and have it checked out. There should be tell-tale damp/dirty spot where the freon is leaking, most likely at a hose junction.

My 2001 Windstar needed a refresh recently after 9 years of seeping around a hard/soft hose swedge...

 

[d22av]

Yea you might be right...

I was assuming the same thing.

That is, i probably have a small leak somewhere in the system. Or some coolant just leaks out over time because its under a lot of pressure and there is no perfect system that wont leak AT ALL. (Kind of like a party balloon that is left hanging on the wall. Over time it deflates)

Either way it made a huge difference and I've had freezing cold air for 2 weeks now. We'll see what happens over time though.

Also the stuff I used said that it has a leak-stop additive and I'm hoping it may fill in some tiny holes if they exist.

What do you guys think?

 

[FORZDA 1]

I was assuming the same thing.

That is, i probably have a small leak somewhere in the system. Or some coolant just leaks out over time because its under a lot of pressure and there is no perfect system that wont leak AT ALL. (Kind of like a party balloon that is left hanging on the wall. Over time it deflates)

Either way it made a huge difference and I've had freezing cold air for 2 weeks now. We'll see what happens over time though.

Also the stuff I used said that it has a leak-stop additive and I'm hoping it may fill in some tiny holes if they exist.

What do you guys think?

Yep, you'll likely be just fine.