AC on 2003 LS430

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

bilyzoom - 14 Jun 2008 06:49 GMT

I have a black w/black interior LS 430. I also live in LA Metro area. It has
been pretty hot lately upwards of 100F. It seems to take a while for the AC
to start cooling the cabin. Had the cabin filter changed, but my GS 300
seemed to have alot stronger AC, white car though. The cabin does get cooler
eventually. It just takes a while for the AC to kick in. Should I get a AC
recharge?

Reply to this Message

Ray O - 15 Jun 2008 17:10 GMT

>I have a black w/black interior LS 430. I also live in LA Metro area. It
>has been pretty hot lately upwards of 100F. It seems to take a while for
>the AC to start cooling the cabin. Had the cabin filter changed, but my GS
>300 seemed to have alot stronger AC, white car though. The cabin does get
>cooler eventually. It just takes a while for the AC to kick in. Should I
>get a AC recharge?

An easy way to check the AC charge is to set the parking brake, start the
car and leave it in park, turn on the AC to full cold, open the hood, and
look at the sight glass on top of the receiver-drier. If you see white foam
moving past the glass, the system needs a re-charge. It should look like
clear water flowing past the glass.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Reply to this Message

Bilyzoom - 17 Jun 2008 02:58 GMT

What setting cools the cabin faster. Fresh air in or closed. Seems to me
that fresh air in gets cabin colder faster.

Reply to this Message

Ray O - 17 Jun 2008 03:24 GMT

> What setting cools the cabin faster. Fresh air in or closed. Seems to me
> that fresh air in gets cabin colder faster.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>>cooler eventually. It just takes a while for the AC to kick in. Should I
>>get a AC recharge?

Fresh air closed will cool the cabin more quickly, however, using the AC in
recirculate mode all the time can make the AC smell musty. I would just
leave the recirc mode switch in auto.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Reply to this Message

Elmo P. Shagnasty - 17 Jun 2008 11:21 GMT

> What setting cools the cabin faster. Fresh air in or closed. Seems to me
> that fresh air in gets cabin colder faster.

On getting in a hot car that's been in the sun, open all the windows and
set the AC on cold with fresh air in.

After a minute or two, the very hot air is exhausted from the car. Now
close the windows and set the system to recirculate.

This is the fastest way to cool the cabin and best way to keep it cool
in hot weather.

Reply to this Message

johngdole@hotmail.com - 01 Jul 2008 05:14 GMT

The AC may be slightly low on refrigerant. These "completely sealed"
system can leak 0.5-1 oz per year and be "completely sealed."

> I have a black w/black interior LS 430. I also live in LA Metro area. It has
> been pretty hot lately upwards of 100F. It seems to take a while for the AC
> to start cooling the cabin. Had the cabin filter changed, but my GS 300
> seemed to have alot stronger AC, white car though. The cabin does get cooler
> eventually. It just takes a while for the AC to kick in. Should I get a AC
> recharge?

Reply to this Message