With the warmer summer temps here, just curious to see how cool other first gen (R50/R53) A/C systems are running out there.

In your response make sure you post:

1. Outside Temp
2. Temp at the Vents
3. Car moving (what speed) or stopped.

Thanks!

 

Yesterday, here's what I got:

1. 90 F
2. about 62-63 F
3. Car parked in covered garage.

 

I'm assuming you have the A/C set to full cold at full blast?

 

Yeah, I'm hoping I can get it colder than that. Am going to evac and recharge soon.

 

Not sure....but my 2005 was always cold enough to fog my sunglasses when I got out of my car and sometimes cause condensation on the outside of the windows if I was not careful pointing my vents....
My wife always accused me of trying to make my car into a beer cooler or walk in fridge.
So I do know that the MINI's ac system can really cool a car...(had the car for 10 years and the system was never serviced )...I had a black roof, with a sunroof car...but I DID usually keep a Zippy shade in the sunroofs for the summer.

 

I'd say 65 is pretty average on a 90 degree day. The hotter and more humid the incoming air is, the hotter it's going to be in the car.

 

I guess the MINI's system is a little weaker than others out there if that's normal. My Mazda 3 gets down to around 40-45 in 90 degree sunny weather!

 

Impressive! Mine is a white roof and I usually put a shade in the windshield when its parked outside on sunny days.

If you ever get the chance to measure the temps, would love to know what they're running. I use a digital thermometer intended for cooking, but it works well for measuring A/C temps too.

 

1. 88-90F
2. 42-45F
3. Doesn't seem to matter much.
4. Top up!


Regards,
Jerry

 

Wow, those are some really impressive numbers. Guess I need to check my refrigerant charge.

 

Another factor...
Crank pulleys...
A oversized one will make EVERYTHING with a belt attached run faster...so maybe a cooler AC.

 

Wow, that's pretty good! Do you have the automatic or manual HVAC controls? I'm wondering if that plays a role too.

I just evac and recharged mine yesterday, but haven't been able to get new temperature measurements yet.

Another variable with my system is I had to replace a leaking condenser a few years ago and I used an aftermarket Spectra Premium one instead of the OEM Valeo unit. I wonder if the aftermarket one is a little less efficient.

 

Definitely could be a factor. I have noticed the temps get cooler if I raise the engine to 2,000 rpm.

 

Both cars have auto. Both run similar temps now.


Both cars were low, even after having the AC compressor replaced on one. I don't know if the specs are off or not, but I added r134 by using the manifold gauges, both low and high side until I got readings I liked.


Regards,
Jerry

 

What pressures did you end up with and what was the outside temp?

At idle in 80-90 degree weather, if I'm remembering correctly from the refill, mine ended up being around 30 psi low, 225-250 psi high. At 2k rpm, the low pressure drops down a little and the high goes up a little.

Yesterday, I was getting down to 45-46 with the outside temp. reading 77. Tends to put out a little colder air when the car is moving. When it gets hotter out again, I'll measure again and see if the numbers stay that low.

 

Not sure of the temp each day I filled. I try for something around 35 low side, and high side is 2xF +50F more less. So on an 80F day, I would look for about 210 or so on the high side.


On a 90F day, you can see about 230 or so on the high side. On my car at idle, at 250, the AC fan cuts in.


Regards,
Jerry

 

Very helpful - that all makes sense. I think my numbers are pretty close to those. For whatever reason (maybe the aftermarket condenser, maybe the manual climate), I don't think my temps are going to get as cold as yours, but if they stay in the 40s or even low 50s during hot days, I think it'll be good enough to live with.

BTW, I did just a fairly major overhaul of the system with a new OEM compressor, OEM expansion valve, OEM drier, and service ports, so I don't think the performance difference would be due to any of those.

 

New parts should keep everything nice and cold. If you can keep it in the low to mid 40's, you are doing well.


While too much r134 can be just as bad as too little, most times the level is a little low if it is not blowing cold enough.


Regards,
Jerry