2016 z4 condensation
- Thread starter Portisz4
- Start date
Devon
San Francisco, CA
S
SwissTone
Guest
Either the Patent date run out or Ford allowed others to use the tech, VW group use this tech on certain vehicles in their family range.
Yep the tickle stopped all the window electrics working (mirrors too).
I ended up inside the fuse box looking to see if anything had blown (hadn't but it was a crap way to spend 45 minutes doing weird yoga) reached the conclusion that the door card would have to come off so ordered clips and trim tools as well as pricing up a new switch - £185)!
When the tools and clips turned up it was dry and sunny and everything worked... Still now I've got new trim tools and I've learned not to open the window after rain until I've stopped on an incline.
It's cheaper for manufacturers to use the centre console too as the complexity of the wiring is reduced, less risk of mechanical damage (no flexing at the hinge) and no left/right hand drive options for the different markets... Still we haven't got degrees in marketing, we're just enthusiasts who like to tinker with our cars
I ended up inside the fuse box looking to see if anything had blown (hadn't but it was a crap way to spend 45 minutes doing weird yoga) reached the conclusion that the door card would have to come off so ordered clips and trim tools as well as pricing up a new switch - £185)!
When the tools and clips turned up it was dry and sunny and everything worked... Still now I've got new trim tools and I've learned not to open the window after rain until I've stopped on an incline.
It's cheaper for manufacturers to use the centre console too as the complexity of the wiring is reduced, less risk of mechanical damage (no flexing at the hinge) and no left/right hand drive options for the different markets... Still we haven't got degrees in marketing, we're just enthusiasts who like to tinker with our cars
I think it's just luck of the draw, my wife keeps the aircon on all the time in her cars, the RAV4 lasted 18 years and no top up, the x3 has been topped up twice and a new compressor.
I rarely used the a/c in my MGZT, no problems in 60k miles (before the engine genaded itself) and the Zed only gets used for 10 minutes per drive just to keep it circulating
I rarely used the a/c in my MGZT, no problems in 60k miles (before the engine genaded itself) and the Zed only gets used for 10 minutes per drive just to keep it circulating
At the summit of the picturesque fens
That's not correct either. Not using a mechanical system is not going to cause it to break.craigdm said:
The ONLY problem that can occur from lack of use of a car a/c system is refrigerant leaking from the neoprene seal(s) on the drive shaft of the compressor. They require lubricating to maintain the seal. They are lubricated when the compressor is operating. Lack of use, generally considered a month or more, the seals will dry out and leak.
They can reseal once lubricated, hence why so many people have their a/c 're-gassed' or 'topped up' without finding any leaks.
The a/c system in a car needs no maintenance, there are no serviceable parts (despite many garages offering the service). The system is sealed so will never need refrigerant adding unless it has leaked from somewhere.
Not sure whether you are taking the p*ss, mate. If you are it's fine; non taken.MikeyH said:
If not then I know a little bit about a lot of things but not much about most of them. Just very opinionated.
On this subject, however, I happen to know a bit more as I am a qualified refrigeration and a/c engineer having worked in the industry for 38 years. For a few years a long time ago, I worked solely on car a/c. Not an expert by any means, though.
It was always quoted in the 'old days' that a car used around 10% more fuel with the a/c compressor running. As refrigerant has become a LOT more efficient over the years the compressors have got smaller, needing less energy to drive them. Electronics now control them a lot more efficiently too. Cars in general produce a lot more power, so the percentage of engine power is very very low.ronk said:
I would be surprised if fuel efficiency drops by more than a couple of percent with the a/c on these days TBH. I heard that opening the window is worse for fuel efficiency!
If you look at the back of your modern domestic fridge, running on R600a (butane!!
), the compressors are absolutely tiny these days. Yes folks you have highly combustible butane under massive pressure in your kitchens. Scary, huh? 
Please don't take offence Pondrew I'm not taking the p*ss, its not just you, there are so many on this forum that know lots about everything that it never ceases to amaze me.Pondrew said:Not sure whether you are taking the p*ss, mate. If you are it's fine; non taken.MikeyH said:
If not then I know a little bit about a lot of things but not much about most of them. Just very opinionated.
On this subject, however, I happen to know a bit more as I am a qualified refrigeration and a/c engineer having worked in the industry for 38 years. For a few years a long time ago, I worked solely on car a/c. Not an expert by any means, though.
I wonder how much fuel is wasted driving around with the roof down all the timePondrew said:It was always quoted in the 'old days' that a car used around 10% more fuel with the a/c compressor running. As refrigerant has become a LOT more efficient over the years the compressors have got smaller, needing less energy to drive them. Electronics now control them a lot more efficiently too. Cars in general produce a lot more power, so the percentage of engine power is very very low.ronk said:
I would be surprised if fuel efficiency drops by more than a couple of percent with the a/c on these days TBH. I heard that opening the window is worse for fuel efficiency!
If you look at the back of your modern domestic fridge, running on R600a (butane!!
Jasonn said:
BMW and Mercedes always used to put the window switches on the centre console which made more sense and differentiated them from other car brands. This changed with time and for reasons only they know and they moved the switches to the doors. My E46 had all the switches on the centre console. I believe BMW moved them to the doors starting with the E90, so somewhere around 2006.
TBH judging by some of today's car offerings I'm glad that it's not cutting edge. :evil:Pondrew said:Dunno but I guarantee you won't get condensation!MikeyH said:
I wouldn't worry about it Mikey. Your E85 is not exactly at the cutting edge of fuel efficiency anyway....Do you still have to put lead substitute in the tank when you fill up?
