Puma Aircon Icing Up Poll

[P38ace]

The air-con evaporator icing up problem seems to be fairly common recently. Thought mine had been fixed first time but no, 8000 km's later it is going to the dealer again tomorrow, same problem.

The symptoms.

Cold for first 10-15 mins - Temp range 0C to +2C inside vent.
15 - 30 mins - Temp range -5.5C to +0.9C inside vent.
30 - 45 mins - Temp range +1.5C to +4.5C inside vent, reduced airflow.
After that - Temp range +8C to +12C inside vent, further reduced airflow.

All measured in 32C ambient.

I'm wondering whether we can have a headcount to see how many vehicles have had the problem and whether any have remained fixed long term.

I realise this is subjective as some may think it's fixed but this may be a temporary state of mind :)

[juddy]

The air-con evaporator icing up problem seems to be fairly common recently. Thought mine had been fixed first time but no, 8000 km's later it is going to the dealer again tomorrow, same problem.

The symptoms.

Cold for first 10-15 mins - Temp range 0C to +2C inside vent.
15 - 30 mins - Temp range -5.5C to +0.9C inside vent.
30 - 45 mins - Temp range +1.5C to +4.5C inside vent, reduced airflow.
After that - Temp range +8C to +12C inside vent, further reduced airflow.

All measured in 32C ambient.

I'm wondering whether we can have a headcount to see how many vehicles have had the problem and whether any have remained fixed long term.

Is the air con supposed to work in the 0 position on the fan speed setting??

[one_iota]

No problem with mine since new (two and a half years and 40,000 km).

[Beast]

I believe the A/C is supposed to work with the fan set in the 0 position - mine certainly does.

Having said that, it's the only vehicle I've owned or driven that does this.

[harry]

and what is the humidity?

your problem is most probably normal.
the jigger cannot cope with the humidity, and freezes, which buggers the temps and hence the failure.

try setting the thing to a lower cooling setting, like we all set it to max, **** it's hot, but it isn't an abatoir cool room.

the pomms that designed it don't know what a hot day here is.

[P38ace]

Yes. When the AC button is pressed the fan turns on at speed 1.

[Drew90]

and what is the humidity?

your problem is most probably normal.
the jigger cannot cope with the humidity, and freezes, which buggers the temps and hence the failure.

try setting the thing to a lower cooling setting, like we all set it to max, **** it's hot, but it isn't an abatoir cool room.

the pomms that designed it don't know what a hot day here is.

i totally agree. It's funny, as soon as you turn the nob slightly off the coldest setting, BANG in comes the heat. You truely know is from the UK then. you look down and 95% of the aircon temperature gauge is fkn HOT!

[P38ace]

and what is the humidity?

your problem is most probably normal.
the jigger cannot cope with the humidity, and freezes, which buggers the temps and hence the failure.

try setting the thing to a lower cooling setting, like we all set it to max, **** it's hot, but it isn't an abatoir cool room.

the pomms that designed it don't know what a hot day here is.

There isn't a warmer setting. It's either on or off. Slightest turn of the heater knob completely negates any AC effect.

The above are midday observations when the humidity would be about 30-35%. Humidity is generally much higher in the UK as it never stops raining. :D

Could be humidity related though. I've just been out for an hours drive and tested further in the process, 25C ambient, humidity 73%. AC hopeless, with vent inner temperature around 18C. Opening the window had better results.

Definitely better during the day with higher ambient and lower humidity.

[stig0000]

was it set to reserc or fresh air,,,

puting the heater on will make no diff as the heater core is after the evaperator, hence why it works real well and fast,

iv lost count how many dashes iv removed to replace them dam sensors, iv started to actuly move the place of the sensore and seems to be working so far on about 9 cars iv done it on,

[Allan]

I cannot get anything to ice in Perth at the moment. My SVX with the air on flat out for an hour is just about drive able.

Allan

[solmanic]

I believe the A/C is supposed to work with the fan set in the 0 position - mine certainly does.

Having said that, it's the only vehicle I've owned or driven that does this.

I've had a Jeep that worked this way too.

[P38ace]

was it set to reserc or fresh air,,,



Sorry, did not spot the question.

Have always ran the AC on recirc to get any semblance of cooling. Runs about 5C hotter on fresh. I also should have said this was measured on the right side inner fixed vent because there is often a measurable difference between sides.

Any idea why the left side vents can run cooler than the right (up to 4 degrees). I've seen a TSB fix on this for heater imbalance which involved covering up a portion of the heater core.

[P38ace]

I now have a Puma loan vehicle while mine is being fixed. The difference in the AC is obvious, especially considering the loaner is black.

I measured it for reference under same conditions. 32C ambient, the output temp cycles consistently between 5C & 8C on recirc, 8C & 11C on fresh. Not sure whether these are normal or not but the car is certainly much cooler than mine was. Still not cool by asian standards but acceptable.

[P38ace]

A quick update. At its last dealer visit my Puma was fitted with a new Tx valve and its third evaporator sensor. Neither of these fixed the problem and five weeks later I'm still waiting for the arrival of what was described as an 'assured' sensor from LRUK.