A/C performance poor

[macdoc]

Does anyone have ideas/solutions for improving performance of the A/C system on the 2.0T Passat.
I have been back to the dealer & they advise its normal.

The A/C compressor has been replaced with the update part already after lunching itself.

I read 'somewhere' about a modification to the expansion valve?

Any info greatly appreciated.

Macdoc.

[PassatB6]

Does anyone have ideas/solutions for improving performance of the A/C system on the 2.0T Passat.
I have been back to the dealer & they advise its normal.

The A/C compressor has been replaced with the update part already after lunching itself.

I read 'somewhere' about a modification to the expansion valve?

Any info greatly appreciated.

Macdoc.

I took mine (2.0T) back to the dealer last year and they replaced the condensor but I still think the performance isn't good. Dealer said it was normal.I was wondering whether its a simple matter of checking whether it needs regassing because I didn't notice any problem for 2 years?

[ope126]

What temp. are we talking about?
Do you have it in AUTO?

Some previous cars I have had would only need 23 / 24 degress.

But I have found that I need 19 / 20 degrees in the Passat to have the same feeling of "Cool / Comfortable".

Would be keen to find a resolution...

[PassatB6]

Didn't know about this! Aircon diagnostic mode.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=291005

[Pana]

Last few hot days we've had in Melbourne, I've found the A/C in my R36 pretty average as well - maybe its just a Passat thing????

[Rocket36]

I don't have any issues with the a/c in my R36 but keep in mind these cars aren't designed for the harsh Australian conditions we sometimes experience. But they'll keep you warm in winter! lol

[drbass]

"Not designed for harsh Australian conditions" is not really an excuse when you pay a pretty penny for your car.
It gets hot in Europe, it gets hot in the USA, not really a uniquely Australian phenomenon. And it looks like the Japanese car makers have no such issues.

As for keeping you warm in winter, that maybe true for the petrol models but my trusty tractor takes ages to warm up - a direct result of the much more efficient fuel use in a Diesel

Stay cool.

Michael

[tryingavw]

but my trusty tractor takes ages to warm up - a direct result of the much more efficient fuel use in a Diesel

trouble is the diesel is at best efficiency when heated up. bit of a catch22 there?

[Rocket36]

"Not designed for harsh Australian conditions" is not really an excuse when you pay a pretty penny for your car.

I didn't say it was an excuse.

Falcons and Commodores are tested for weeks at a time through the outback where higher than 35 i sustained for weeks on end. Germany doesn't see much about 35 in their summer and when they do it's only briefly. As a result there isn't a need to have as good an a/c system as what Falcon and Commodore use.

But like I said, bing in Canberra which has one of Australia's broadest range of temperatures (-10 to 40+), I haven't had any issues yet. Will see what it's like come February but the sunroof and tinted windows should mean the a/c works fine.

[drbass]

I didn't say it was an excuse.

Falcons and Commodores are tested for weeks at a time through the outback where higher than 35 i sustained for weeks on end. Germany doesn't see much about 35 in their summer and when they do it's only briefly. As a result there isn't a need to have as good an a/c system as what Falcon and Commodore use.

But like I said, bing in Canberra which has one of Australia's broadest range of temperatures (-10 to 40+), I haven't had any issues yet. Will see what it's like come February but the sunroof and tinted windows should mean the a/c works fine.

Nor did I write you did.

I didn't say anything about Falcadores, either. I mentioned Japanese car makers who seem to get it right, and as far as I know Japan, like Germany, does not have sustained periods of 35 plus either. Of course you're right about Germany, though.

But what about places like Arizona or New Mexico? To the best of my knowledge VAG sells vehicles there as well, and I daresay that conditions are not dissimilar to our harsh outback.

Having said that, I haven't had any non-satisfactory air con performance in my black, non-tinted wagon even on VERY hot days here in Melbourne.

"Stay cool"!

Michael

[weasel]

I have taken my R36 back twice in 4 weeks due to poor airconditioning. All they keep saying is that it is low on gas, "we have done a diognostics test on it and cannot find any leaks. "

I still believe that there is something wrong....my 1990 Pulsar had better airconditining!

I'm going to call into the dealer and ask to either drive or sit in another Passat and used the air,to see if there is any difference.

Peter

[PassatB6]

I don't have any issues with the a/c in my R36 but keep in mind these cars aren't designed for the harsh Australian conditions we sometimes experience. But they'll keep you warm in winter! lol

They are designed for Australian conditions. After all many are sold and built in Sth Africa. European cars are often tested in the arctic circle and equatorial regions as well. The strange thing about this aircon issue is that there are very few complaints form the US about B6 aircon which is strange because they complain about EVERYTHING.

I have also heard that Valeo aircon is not so good while the Sanden model is much better.

[ope126]

What temp. are we talking about?
Do you have it in AUTO?

Some previous cars I have had would only need 23 / 24 degress.

But I have found that I need 19 / 20 degrees in the Passat to have the same feeling of "Cool / Comfortable".

Would be keen to find a resolution...

So what temps are you guys running?

In some previous Jap cars I've owned and current (Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer) the air cons have been icy cold.
I can not say that they Passat is "Icy Cold" even on Lo.

What are your thoughts...

[Swallowtail]

Nor did I write you did.

I didn't say anything about Falcadores, either. I mentioned Japanese car makers who seem to get it right, and as far as I know Japan, like Germany, does not have sustained periods of 35 plus either. Of course you're right about Germany, though.

But what about places like Arizona or New Mexico? To the best of my knowledge VAG sells vehicles there as well, and I daresay that conditions are not dissimilar to our harsh outback.

Having said that, I haven't had any non-satisfactory air con performance in my black, non-tinted wagon even on VERY hot days here in Melbourne.

"Stay cool"!

Michael

Japan gets very hot. Not just on odd occasions either. Tokyo avg is 30 - 31 in summer, and most of the major cities average over 30, some 32 - 33. To compare, Brisbane's summer averages are 29...

Still think Japan doesn't get hot?

[Pana]

I can not say that they Passat is "Icy Cold" even on Lo.

+1

The CR-V on Lo is extremely cold, the other day I had to turn the temp up because it was getting too cold inside (it is also black like the R36).

Today I was running it on 19 and even after 45 minutes on the drive home (outside temp was about 32) - I still felt quite warm in the car.

I have to take it in sometime soon for an oil change - will have to get them to take a look at the aircon.