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Roger...
Novice
May 25, 2016, 11:54 AM
Post #1 of 10
(1681 views)
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Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Mondeo Mk4 1.8 TDCi 2007
My aircon has been less than satisfactory for a very long time (tepid at best). I took it to a Ford agent about two years ago for a service. They checked out the system, checked it for leaks, and re-gassed it. If anything it was slightly better in that it was slightly cooler, definitely not what you would say cold. I have now decided to have another look at it. With full aircon on I have a low pressure of 30 psi at 65 degs F and the compressor always comes in when the aircon button is pressed on the panel. The pollen filter has also been changed. I have noticed however that the main cooling fan only runs occasionally but doesn't seem to affect the operation of the compressor. The indicated temperature on the dash panel once the engine is up to temperature is about 90 degs (needle in the middle) and never moves. I keep reading that for the aircon to work properly the cooling fan must be running all the time. As mine only runs occasionally what do you think would be causing this?
By the way, there are no error codes recorded.
Roger
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 25, 2016, 12:12 PM
Post #2 of 10
(1677 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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What is the high side pressure? Is 65 F the ambient temperature?
Yes, normally when the ac is turned on the cooling fan should be running. Some vehicles have a fan just for the condenser, but don't know the configuration of your vehicle because it isn't sold here in the states.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Roger...
Novice
May 25, 2016, 1:50 PM
Post #3 of 10
(1666 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Thanks for your reply.
I do not know what the high pressure is as I do not have a high pressure gauge. Yes 65 F is the ambient temperature. The low pressure side is 30 psi with the compressor running and 45 psi without the compressor running. Main cooling fan not running in both cases.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 25, 2016, 3:16 PM
Post #4 of 10
(1661 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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You need to have this system totally recovered, vacuumed and recharged with the exact specified weight of refrigerant. You could have charge issues here that you can't see because there isn't enough pressure to initiate the fans.
You can't diagnose a system without doing that and you can never diagnose a system with that "dearth kit" gauge you are using.
AC is not a DIY job.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Roger...
Novice
May 25, 2016, 4:19 PM
Post #5 of 10
(1656 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Yes, I think you maybe right. I had all that done a couple of years ago and it was fractionally better but don't know if it was just my imagination. It has not been what you might call 'cold' or 'cool' for about four or five years. It still doesn't answer as to why the main cooling fan doesn't run very often though. I understand from a lot of people that when the aircon is selected it should also turn on the main cooling fan. Mine doesn't. It occasionally comes on when the engine is up to full temperature.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 25, 2016, 4:23 PM
Post #6 of 10
(1651 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Until you know you have the exact correct charge, none of the other data can be trusted because refrigerant level effects everything so only then can you get an accurate picture of how the system is performing and what issues it may have.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Roger...
Novice
May 25, 2016, 10:01 PM
Post #7 of 10
(1642 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Okay, I'll do that then. I'll book it in for a full aircon service and then if I still have the problem I'll take it from there.
Many thanks
Roger
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Roger...
Novice
May 31, 2016, 8:44 AM
Post #8 of 10
(1603 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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UPDATE
Well, I have had a professional air conditioning company service my system and these were the findings. I will not go through the symptoms as I have already gone through those in an above post.
The first thing the engineer did was to connect his gauges (high and low) onto my system with nothing running at all. The low one read about 30 psi and the high one read about 20 psi. Straight away he said that it looked like there was very little coolant in the system. He then switched on the car air conditioning system and watched the gauges....... No change. There was apparently enough in the system to bring the compressor clutch in but not a lot more so the compressor was just recirculating what little there was. He then proceeded to empty the remains and vacuum the system. After a while he re-charged the system to about 50% to check if the main cooling fan was working (which it hadn't before). Within a few seconds the main fan kicked in (hooray). Following this he continued with the rest of the charge. He checked around for leaks but having not found any he informed me that quite often they can be very small and could take a while to become apparent. He advised me to use the aircon regularly and any problem in the short term (weeks) to give him a ring and he will investigate it further. I may have left something out but this was the general gist of it all.
I am well pleased and delighted as my aircon system is now the coldest it's ever been, even when it was new.
Just thought I'd let you know.
Many thanks for your input.
Roger
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 31, 2016, 9:11 AM
Post #9 of 10
(1600 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Glad you got it working. It will leak out again, just a question of how long from now.
I'll close this now as solved. You can reopen it if you contact a Moderator.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 31, 2016, 9:18 AM
Post #10 of 10
(1598 views)
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Re: Mondeo Aircon Problem
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Good new so far it seems it was just near totally out of refrigerant gas. Your tech noted that and with those pressures it was essentially empty.
As you were told leak wasn't found and that is the up front reason and some may not leak regularly but usually leave evidence - one problem leaves no evidence is a compressor's shaft seal can leak badly if this vehicle is exposed to VERY cold conditions off season I've absolute found that shaft and seal can expand and contract differently such that refrigerant gas leaks out un-noticed until you need A/C first off when warmer and use it.
During that cold (Does this to my own) I mean well below 10F/~ minus 12C - exposed to weather especially. Oils are cold and don't leave evidence by any test method in just that example now know for one vehicle not necessarily yours but think of that if that is your conditions as well.
Same vehicle if never exposed to that expected cold doesn't lose refrigerant. I couldn't know this if it wasn't my own and what it's been thru for ages and how stored or used at all.
In short as you said no leaks found just think of that if it works perfectly all season and quits again without detection.
There's a fix for that and way to know for sure that's it too involved to discuss as it's a remote chance right now and may need the season to know or not so come back with how long it last working perfectly and if even a Winter later does the same thing and take it on then,
T
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