Aircon!

[Smithy225]

So only just started using the aircon because of the slight rise in temperature...but the bloody thing takes an age to kick in! Anyone know what it might be?

At the minute i reckon it is taking around 30 mins of driving for it to work and then its great, im not sure if it will need re-gassing as its not 2 years old yet.

[cyclone]

Thats the first thing to try and they can check for leaks while the system is pumped down prior to refilling.

[DavidDS3]

The indicator I use is to switch the air-con off, open the bonnet, open the driver's door, make sure the radio is off, start the engine then switch the air-con on. If you hear a "click" then the air-con pump is kicking in. Very low refrigerant levels will mean this probably won't happen. What can happen from my experience is that after you have driven the car for a while engine compartment temperatures rise, allowing sufficient pressure to build up in the system to allow the compressor pump to "activate". I believe there is a pressure switch in the system which stops the compressor from working if there is a low level of refrigerant. I think this is stop seal damage. The refrigerant also contains a lubricant. If the air-can pump does switch on but the temperature doesn't fall very much then this is a sure sign that the system needs topping up.

[Smithy225]

Brilliant thanks for that David, I believe this is exactly the case.

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[DaveB]

So only just started using the aircon because of the slight rise in temperature...

Maybe that's part of your problem? The Owner's Handbook recommends running the air conditioning for 5 to 10 minutes once or twice a month to keep it in perfect working order.

Mine starts to blow cool air within about 30 seconds of starting the engine.

[Bigfeet]

As DaveB says if you have A/C you need to run it at least once a month to keep everything working correctly.

[Smithy225]

It's not that it's not been used as the climate control would use it as and when it's just not been used at 14 degrees solidly. Its being drained inspected and regassed Saturday.

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[pmatil]

A bit hard to run the A/C every month in the winter when it's below 0 degC for 6 months.

[BeefMasta]

A bit hard to run the A/C every month in the winter when it's below 0 degC for 6 months.

You realise A/C does hot AND cold right...?

[liamlazenby]

You realise A/C does hot AND cold right...?

The amount of people who say to me why have you got the A/C on, its 5 degrees outside?! and i'm like.....it does hot...???

[BeefMasta]

The amount of people who say to me why have you got the A/C on, its 5 degrees outside?! and i'm like.....it does hot...???

Yeah exactly! Mine is always on Auto, 16-18 when its hot outside (3 days a year), 20-24 when its cold out (the rest of the time).

[DaveB]

You realise A/C does hot AND cold right...?

Yes, but to protect the system air conditioning will not operate at low ambient temperatures, below something like 3º.

[pmatil]

Yes, and by A/C I meant just the cooling system.

[Smithy225]

Slight update for you all... So the car had a regas to slight avail, it was working and running at 4.3 degrees and had just under half the volume of gas. The aircon guy reckoned that as it's the eco model the aircon wouldn't kick in until the engine was up to temp and also follows the same set of rules as stop start etc.. Apparently this is correct partly and when the engine got up to temp it kicked in. Anyway the aircon worked when needed for a week or so and then started playing up again although this time I can tell when it starts as there's a massive clunk that can be heard and felt quite clearly whilst in the car from the engine bay, it can take anywhere upto an hour for it to start. It went into citroen to be looked at and 3 hours later they haven't got the foggiest. Its now been booked in for 2 days work to find the fault, I'll give an update soon

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[Owd git]

It went into citroen to be looked at and 3 hours later they haven't got the foggiest
Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

Similar situation with my last car and Citroen 'technicians'

Have a Read of THIS