A/C question - VW TDI forum and Audi TDI forum

veedubyoo · #1 07-12-2010, 01:05 PM

I have a 96 Passat TDI, I'm trying to get the a/c working. It holds freon but is not real cold. The low pressure is around 35psi with a fluctuating needle around 5psi and the high side sits at 160psi or so(which is probably a little low) and slowly climbs to 250 when the fans kick on and quickly drops to about 160- 180 when the process starts all over again. Ambient is around 85 today. Any ideas?
Thanks.

tokendog · #2 07-12-2010, 04:56 PM

If you've checked the AC system are there leaves blocking the condenser? The foam on the heater core door is known for falling apart. Is it possible a little hot air is mixing with the cold air and reducing the AC?

veedubyoo · #3 07-12-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokendog

If you've checked the AC system are there leaves blocking the condenser? The foam on the heater core door is known for falling apart. Is it possible a little hot air is mixing with the cold air and reducing the AC?

Hmmmm, interesting...I've had a lot of foam showing up in the vents, so you're saying it could be the door for the heat? Is that a Pita to get to?

chittychittybangbang · #4 07-12-2010, 10:37 PM

Interesting theory. Is it foam from the vent surround or foam from the blend door? It's a big pita to get to: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2355434 different car, same part. This is more of a problem in the winter causing no heat. If you know for sure the foam door is crumbling you might as well fix it and see if it fixes your AC problem. If it does fix your AC problem, please post a follow up!

veedubyoo · #5 07-12-2010, 11:01 PM

Dang! Hopefully I don't have to go down that road, however it blows ambient air out when the ac is off, not any hotter like the heat is on, hopefully thats a good sign

Anyone have an idea what the high side should be at when it's say 85 or 90 out?
Thanks
Dave

veedubyoo · #6 07-14-2010, 12:26 AM

Well the heat door seems to be working fine, I get all kinds of heat when I crank the heat on...as well as a face full of foam out of all the vents...need to take the vents out and vac up the foam. Soon as I shut the heat off it's back to ambient...
Wonder where all the foam is coming from, must just be seals around the flaps etc?

tokendog · #7 07-14-2010, 04:44 AM

If it's dark foam the door is probably falling apart. Here's a repair that G60ing did on another forum. If it's not that then I'd take it to an AC guy. Does it need a charge? Is there a site glass?