A/C performance poor

[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.

[macdoc]

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...

I have the temp set to LO all the time when the A/C is on, if I have anything above LO its 'warmer'

Macdoc.

[passatpout]

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

If it's low on gas, it's not going to work properly. The simple test is to feel how cold the air is coming from the vents - it should feel like a fridge door (around 3 degrees).

Be careful getting it regassed - I had an air-con service done on a Barina a few years ago, which wound up blowing up the evaporator.. $150 on a service since it hadn't been checked in a few years, $900 on new bits within 3 weeks..

[passatpout]

I spent 6 weeks going around Europe last year between June and August, in Malta, Italy, France and the UK. Average daily temps were well into the 30s, and according to the Fiat we hired, coming out of Reggio Calabria northbound at the top of a 1200m high mountain, the temperature was 42...

Agreed, it's not Germany, but it's not too far away.. less than the distance between Melbourne and Brisbane.

[PassatB6]

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

Well did you get it regassed?? I've also heard rumours that some come low on gas from the start. But as I said in a previous post, very few complaints from the US which is a bit strange. Maybe this is a RHD phenomenon.

Willing to bet NO-ONE here has had a regas!

[macdoc]

Well did you get it regassed?? I've also heard rumours that some come low on gas from the start. But as I said in a previous post, very few complaints from the US which is a bit strange. Maybe this is a RHD phenomenon.

Willing to bet NO-ONE here has had a regas!

My A/C compressor was replaced after lunching itself, new compressor & re-gas, and still poor.

Macdoc.