I drive a Ford Focus 1.8 petrol which has air conditioning fitted and am a bit worried because I have not used it for about 5 weeks - mainly becuase of the cold outside temperatures. Would any damage to the seals etc have occured during this time ?
{Made subject header 'general' and not make/model specific - DD}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/12/2007 at 12:35
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Use it daily, it'll stop your car misting up, turn the heater up to compensate......use it or lose it.
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I think what the OP ia saying is that it doesn't operate at these low temperatures, so will it deteriorate.
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2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 TDCi 130ps
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It doesn't matter that it doesn't 'operate' - what matters that the pump etc are kept turning, whether they are working or not, this is what prevents the deterioration of the seals. Quote for HJ's FAQs on the subject
13. AIR-CONDITIONING: What do I need to know about servicing it and can you list some specialists?
Switched off for long periods of time, water or air can get into the a/c system. The moisture will react with the refrigerant to create acid, which then attacks the seals and pipe-work leaving you with a hefty repair bill.
With a standard manually controlled a/c system you should leave the a/c on all the time, even if not using it to cool the car. You should also turn the system to full cold for ten minutes once a week ? even through the winter if you can ? in order to circulate refrigerant which contains lubricants for the system and its seals. Then switch to full heat through the same pipes to thoroughly dry them out. This gets rid of any moisture in the ventilation trunking where mould and bacteria might be accumulating.
Climate control systems, where the temperature is set by the operator should be left on all the time, as the a/c will be required to fine tune a reduction in temperature. The vehicle will decide for itself whether to engage the compressor or open the outside flaps and let in the outside air, which at 0 - 3c Celsius will have no moisture content anyway.
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But if it's not operating the "pump etc" is not turning, it has a clutch on it so only the pulley is turning.
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2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 TDCi 130ps
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Agreed but HJ's guide says run it cold for 10 minutes a week to keep things up to scratch - seals etc
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Agreed but HJ's guide says run it cold for 10 minutes a week to keep things up to scratch - seals etc
But you can't run it at all (cold or hot) if the clutch is not kicking kicking in and it won't kick in at low temperatures even if it's switched on.
In the "Maintenance" section of my 2005 Ford Mondeo Manual it says it should be run for at least 30 minutes a month.
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2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 TDCi 130ps
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I have not used it for about 5 weeks Would any damage to the seals etc have occured during this time ?
Given how long cars are sat on forecourts waiting to be sold, 5 weeks shouldn't matter too much, but as others have said, use it as regularly - even in winter.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 23/12/2007 at 13:32
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Well, I've Read The Focus Manual, just like some of you guys keep telling me, and it says to turn off the aircon when it's not needed ~ which for me is at least 6 months of the year. It doesn't say anything whatsoever about using it in the winter just to keep the seals in good order. The car is over 4 years old, it had stood idle for much of the first 16 months in the hands of the first owner, and the aircon is still working OK. I'd sooner risk damage to the seals than have to suffer the misting in winter which results from residual moisture in the air passageways after the aircon is switched off.
Have any of you actually had to have seals or whatever replaced solely because of lack of use of the aircon?
--
L\'escargot.
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"Have any of you actually had to have seals or whatever replaced solely because of lack of use of the aircon?"
No. In my many years of A/C work, I've never seen a failure that could be attributed to lack of use. Plenty of rotted pipes and condensors, worn out compressors, corrosion under seals, electrical problems, rubbed hoses and pipes, and stones through condensors. Dried out seals? Never.
In fact, I've got boxes of replacement seals in the garage that have been there for 10 years. They've never seen any refrigerant oil, but none have so far dried out and perished.
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I always turn it off when not needed and I've yet to have an a/c system recharged (have run cars up to 5yrs old with a/c).
I saw a discussion on a US forum where people were complaining about the US Honda Fit (Jazz) a/c coming on automatically (as it does in my daughters Mitsubishi Colt) when the air is directed to the windscreen. People in the Pacific NW of the US apparently need a/c about twice a year so have figured out how to disable the auto a/c. It still works on the odd occasion that they need it.
On our Colt, with its 3cyl 1.1 engine, the a/c load makes quite an impact and you really wouldn't want to use it un-necessarily.
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Thanks Dave N and Bill Payer, you've set my mind at rest.
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Well I've Read The Focus Manual just like some of you guys keep telling me and it says to turn off the aircon when it's not needed
The manual of my '98 Fiesta stated clearly that the air con should be used regularly and not left turned off for extended periods. Turning it on for at least 30 minutes every month rings a bell.
That said, it hardly ever got used. I think air con is pretty pointless in this climate and didn't even use it in summer. I was relieved when it worked for the buyer when he tested it before buying my car!
There was one problem: after 10 minutes of use, a puddle always used to develop on the passenger footwell. I don't knew whether this was due to lack of use of the aircon system or not.
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The manual of my '98 Fiesta stated clearly that the air con should be used regularly and not left turned off for extended periods.
My car's an 03/03. Perhaps in the intervening period Ford improved the design so as to alleviate the need for regular use.
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My car's an 03/03. Perhaps in the intervening period Ford improved the design so as to alleviate the need for regular use.
I would suspect that it's more to do with "green" issues - it's the source of much discussion but clearly there has to be a fuel consumption impact, however minor, if the a/c is used.
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'tis of far more use in winter than in our 'generally' luke warm summers. Especially good at keeping glass clear when 2 wet Labradors are laid in the front of the van.
Once had you will never be without. Don't believe the old Wives tales about fuel consumption. Uses no more than driving with a window down.
VBR..................MD
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Don't believe the old Wives tales about fuel consumption. Uses no more than driving with a window down.
That's a stange comment. Even if it were true, then it's simply agreeing that using a/c does have some impact. And the discussion is about a/c use in winter - you wouldn't normally drive with the window open in winter.
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Perhaps in the intervening period Ford improved the design
Perhaps, although looking at a post by another poster:
In the "Maintenance" section of my 2005 Ford Mondeo Manual it says it should be run for at least 30 minutes a month.
Seeing as you are one of very few here who appears to trust main dealers, perhaps a phone call is in order, given the unsurity over this issue.
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You can tell who hasn't got AC , or doesn't use it in winter. They have misted interiors, only slightly lessened by scrabbling feebly against the glass. AC dehumidifies very effectively. Tell me, thou Luddite tendency, what is more important, fuel consumption or collision avoidance?
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Mine only mists up if I DO use aircon (Auto setting), each time I start it up. It does clear within 20-30 seconds but if I don't use aircon (Eco setting) it doesn't mist up at all.
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2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 TDCi 130ps
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