How you Know Aircon up lorry symptom

[jliow]

OK, after recent trip to fix the aircon heres what I have somewhat learned

Latio Aircon hissing the moment u on it, - thats not suppose to happen, a good performing air-con only hisses for a short while like less than 5 secs it stops, even on a freaking hot day. I didn't know until the day i got the coil replaced.

Now why it hisses so much and I am not aware coz since day one i got my car, the freaking air con already behave like that, as for the hissing, my deduction is leaky cooling coil, yes even though u do feel cool now, but the coil is somewhat leaking as it is trying to build up the pressure within its system. its just a matter of time before it fails.

Now for some reason I find there is a co-relation to the FC. My aircon has been hissing since day one, but despite being regularly serviced at TCM, no one tells me anything is wrong even though i feel the hissing is excessive, but what to do LL mah dun know much about aircon in car, I have been finding ways and means to improve FC but to no avail and looking at some bros and sis here FC posting i think its just incredible. until the day my cooling coil is changed out, I've never seen such excellent FC, it was incredible. 297KM at slightly more than half a tank of petrol. my typical FC is about 12, I feel i am on the way to achieve beyond 13 or more and pretty confident about it.

DO bear in mind I had asked TCM to reset the CPU or whatever u call it, 2 times on the record, FC did not improve. ever since the cooling coil change on the first feel and notice besides the cooling, FC is noticeable.

Some Bros here have experienced ac compressor up lorry, according to the folks who are into this line, the symptom are usually having the cooling kicking in during a drive and cooling stops during idle. Thats a symptom that compressor is gona up lorry soon.

I missed out on a post recently back 1 yr where there was a mention that TCM is doing cooling coil replacement for $440, not sure that price still stands today but I am feeling it would if I were to insists so. Whatever it is I did my coil replacement at a workshop in Woodlands call cool Mark for a total damage of $429

That was the initial quote, not know really what the price these things are and knowing my ex-colleague who replace his Latio ac compressor for 1.6K, I okayed the job. Then again I feel comforted that they actually throw in aircon filter replacement as well, some conscience I feel there. 

so far its been day 3, everything works and nothing breaks. In case u be wondering, I am seeing a number of Honda Fit and Toyota Wish having similar issues, according to the workshop owner. seems like its not something pertinent to only Latio and considered a regular consumable item for some model of the cars that is ard 4-5 yrs, in my further opinion inclusive or close to 80-100K mileage

Now for the many that wonder how the freaking Latio cooling coil looks like I've attached a couple of Pics below, do note the removal was witnessed by me, no damage was observed during the course of removal of the coil, the first pic u will see 2 holes, this is actually where the aircon sensor is, just to hard wire leads being sloted into the coil.

The thing was damn dirty, wet and full on objects not sure is cobweb or dusts sticking and blocking 1/4 of the coil. From certain angle of the observation, 1/4 of the coil is somewhat moldy and wet. According to the techs, that is sign of bad leaking.

will update this thread again if I observe my FC drops back to norm. For now, I am enjoying extra fuel savings and a fast cooling ride.

[NSman]

Good write up, Thanks for sharing 

[Anaconda]

Thanks for typing and sharing.  At least, now I have some idea on what to look out for. 

[ray0006]

for my case I did not notice so much of the hissing, I think the hissing can only be heard if you are outside of the car is it?

my compressor spoil about 1.5 yr ago, replace it under tan chong warranty, then 1 month ago aircon not cold again, but becoz no more warranty so I went to AutoSaver to check. The technician quite nice, check and told me no more gas, so top up for free to monitor first. (immediately after he top up, aircon was cold again)

originally he told me the gas leak for some cars without replacing parts can last between a few weeks to 6 months.
unfortunately for my case it only remain cold for 3-4hrs. so no choice went back and replace i think for about $480. (your deal seems to be better)

my cooling coil was also like yr case, wet and leaking one 1 side.

but what i notice in these few weeks is that my FC is indeed better than before. (same observation you had)
coz my latio is now 4yrs old, had been a long time since i had > 420km before the orange light comes up.

[dthh]

Just to share my experience.......

If you did not on the AC your FC sure be good. You can experience about 14km/l.
Also you will feel your ride more power without AC.
Downside is you feel warm, ride more dusty as window is down.
When I drive alone 90% of the time without AC other than raining or super hot day

[valeon]

knn....my coiling coil uplorry last week @ 4 years old.

compressor already uplorry @ 3.5 years old.

what is next   

[jliow]

hissing sound is highly audible frm with cabin

for my case I did not notice so much of the hissing, I think the hissing can only be heard if you are outside of the car is it?

my compressor spoil about 1.5 yr ago, replace it under tan chong warranty, then 1 month ago aircon not cold again, but becoz no more warranty so I went to AutoSaver to check. The technician quite nice, check and told me no more gas, so top up for free to monitor first. (immediately after he top up, aircon was cold again)

originally he told me the gas leak for some cars without replacing parts can last between a few weeks to 6 months.
unfortunately for my case it only remain cold for 3-4hrs. so no choice went back and replace i think for about $480. (your deal seems to be better)

my cooling coil was also like yr case, wet and leaking one 1 side.

but w
hat i notice in these few weeks is that my FC is indeed better than before. (same observation you had)
coz my latio is now 4yrs old, had been a long time since i had > 420km before the orange light comes up.

[jliow]

dont think i am the sort that will sacrific the comfort for 14km/L
driving is already a comfort compared to taking public transport. having to blow hot air in tunnels n endure smelly n dusty winds for my capital investment dun make too much sense either

 

Just to share my experience.......

If you did not on the AC your FC sure be good. You can experience about 14km/l.
Also you will feel your ride more power without AC.
Downside is you feel warm, ride more dusty as window is down.
When I drive alone 90% of the time without AC other than raining or super hot day

[Anaconda]

I on aircon all the time, getting 15-16km/l on my 2005 sedan cvt.  Just to share, achieve this by doing the following:
1.  Set a/c to auto, about 25-26 on hot sunny day, 22-24 on cloudy day/night. I find these range cool & comfortable enough not to make me break into a sweat. If got passengers at the rear, will change to manual and increase fan speed to 3 or 4 bars instead of aircon and aim vents to the rear. 
2.  Using green tyres Mic XM1 185/65/15 on stock rims, 270 kpa front, 240 kpa rear .
3.  80% highway (but face peak period heavy traffic morning and evening everyday) 20% city.
4.  Use engine oil additive (STP) cost about $6+ per bottle in giant, engine quiter, smoother, I think it helps with mileage cos before using this, was getting 14-15km/l nia.  2 bottles can last 3 oil change.
5.  RPM seldom hit beyond 2.2k, even when moving off from stationary state.  Only hit beyond if in a hurry or overtaking. Drive at 90km/hr most of the time at 2nd lane, unless in a hurry.
6.  Use hyper milling techniques whenever doesn't inconvenience other road users, eg coast slowly to redlight if no veh behind me, keep ample distance behind veh during heavy traffic to minimize braking, lots of other tips if you google...