Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Passat B7 air con effectiveness?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    51

    Passat B7 air con effectiveness?

    I bought a 2011 Passat wagon a few months ago and it's just started warming up down this end of Oz so I turned on the air con today and was pretty underwhelmed by the air temperature it pushed out. The car had only been running for 5 mins or so and I cranked it all the way down to LO and was getting cool air, felt around 22c, but not cold air. My previous car was a Subaru Impreza and it was certianly able to pump out cooler air. I wondered if it needed re-gassing but the car is not that old. How effective do you find A/C in the Passat? Is it just a bit rubbish or is there an issue? Any input appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Sydney/Canberra
    Posts
    5,523
    Users Country Flag
    Put it on recirc, medium fan speed, doors closed, and a thermometer in the centre dash vents.

    If it can down around 4-5deg C, it's fine.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    51
    Thread Starter
    Its a hot day, external temp is 34. With the settings you said I ran the AC. After 2 mins the digital thermometer I have jammed into the centre vent reads 14c after 2mins. After 5 mins 13.1c. After 10 mins its 12.8c. Its not really budging now. So its not getting down to 3-4c, would it likely need a regas or is there something else I should troubleshoot?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Sydney/Canberra
    Posts
    5,523
    Users Country Flag
    It may need a diagnostic scan of the A/C system, to see what's up.

    An A/C guy might be worth speaking to, as well.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    51
    Thread Starter
    It just had a service and the A/C wasn't flagged as being low/problematic. I would have thought the onboard system would have flagged any gas level issues/leaks/problems in the system when the mechanic plugged in to do the service?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    20
    Users Country Flag
    Just had mine repaired as it wasn't blowing out cold air. It's still nothing compared to previous cars I've owned but it has cooled the car down enough to make it comfortable yesterday when it was around 35 outside.
    In comparison, other cars I've owned if you put your hand near the vent it feels like putting your hand in a freezer where as my Passat felt like putting your hand in the cooler section of a fridge.
    Having said that I didn't have in on recirc.
    So my conclusion is it doesn't compare to other cars but should take the edge off in those stinking hot days we have coming up.
    Common problem apparently is for the desiccant bag to break open or some part to break apart and send it through the system damaging the condenser (happened with mine). System will need to be flushed and condenser replaced.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    51
    Thread Starter
    Took it to the mechanic today, it was a colder day and his thermostat gave him a reading of 6c after about 5 - 10mins. He said there was plenty of gas but threw in about another 100 grams anyway and sent me on my way. He thought that it could be the compressor on it's way out. Anyone had experiences with that?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    224
    Users Country Flag
    Quote Originally Posted by brettue View Post
    Took it to the mechanic today, it was a colder day and his thermostat gave him a reading of 6c after about 5 - 10mins. He said there was plenty of gas but threw in about another 100 grams anyway and sent me on my way. He thought that it could be the compressor on it's way out. Anyone had experiences with that?
    The compressor is a known problem, at least on the B6 Passats (mine is an R36.) Hopefully it is just the compressor that needs replacing. If you get metal swarf in the lines then you have to replace the condenser and the TX valve and it becomes a mega $$ exercise - trust me, I know...
    Biscay Blue MY10.5 Passat R36 Wagon
    Options: Sunroof, RNS510 Sat Nav, Dynaudio, Power Tailgate, ACC, RVC, BT 9w7, Tint and Factory Towbar.
    Atlantic Blue MY19.5 Golf GTI
    Options: Luxury Package and Sound & Style Package.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    51
    Thread Starter
    Gulp. It's only got 60k on the clock, I've got a B7 (R36 engine), at what point did your compressor let go?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Sydney/Canberra
    Posts
    5,523
    Users Country Flag

    Would be the same compressor they've used for the past 10 years or so.

    Can fail internally, causing swarf contamination. Or the control valve on the side dies, but can't be bought separately.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
| |