Interior Exterior
Q:
My unscientific poll revealed many, many people with AC complaints and problems. This is a brief summery of the poll, with some added conclusions and information I have dug up.
First, my conclusion about the AC. At best, it will not work as well as many normal production cars. This is mainly due to the heat generating and conducting properties of the Lotus engine and body, and the design of a small, lightweight AC unit to go with the theme of the car. However, when working properly it should be able to keep you comfortable (not freezing) on a hot day, with the soft top on. If it won't do that, it is not working properly, and needs to go back to the dealer. Something is wrong that should be fixed.
These conclusions were based on the following:
1. A few people reported that the AC worked very well, even on hot days. This indicates to me that the design is capable of keeping the cockpit cool.
2. I spoke with Lotus America. The customer support people discussed the issue and phoned me back immediately (good sign of concerned support people). I was told that they were not receiving excess amounts of complaints about AC problems. While being careful not to promise me that the Elise AC would ever function as well as a typical sedan, he also went on to say that if the AC is not working well enough to keep you cool with the top on, it needs attention from a dealer.
3. I spoke to the lead Lotus tech at Criswell, who told me he had run into several cases of low and leaking freon, and had repaired leaks at three different locations on the Elise AC circuit. He also confirmed the freezing problem with earlier models, which is fixed easily by relocating the temperature probe.
In other words, if there are at least three potential leak points, there is a good chance that you have a leak, and/or your freon is low. For a modest capacity AC system, the freon levels have to be correct. That can be fixed.
On the down side, factory spec for the Elise vent temperature is 25 degrees below outside air temp, not cool enough for scorchers IMHO, but the tech went on to say that when properly functioning it will out perform those numbers.
Bottom line: If you are not happy with the performance of your AC, get it in to your dealer and insist they fix the problem. Even if they cannot get it working to your satisfaction, Lotus will get more feedback about the situation and perhaps move toward a better remedy, if needed.
Thanks for all the responses, and of course, keep posting about this issue. The Lotus folks do lurk here some.
Cheers,
Mike
A:
I think they should have offered the "delete" option... just ditch the AC and the sound system all together!
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Ive heard that once the dealer makes the appropriate adjustments everything is a-ok.
Both our cars have trouble keeping cool even with the top's on, but both also still need to go to the dealer for the fix. Anything above 80 degrees and it just cant keep up.
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Bump
Hope you don't mind, but since the AC poll is still active I thought this post might bear another glance.
If your AC doesn't work well enough to cool the interior on hot days with the top on, get it to the dealer and complain.
Mike
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FWIW, I used the AC for an extended period of time this past weekend (coming home from the track) - no problems, but then again, the temp wasn't too bad.
Since the 25 deg F also comes with lower humidity, even on scorchers it should be tolerable.
ed
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If your AC doesn't work well enough to cool the interior on hot days with the top on, get it to the dealer and complain.
Mike
Absolutely! Mine works very well (much better than the heater does in winter).
A:
I had my temp sensor relocated last week. Took the dealer tech about 10 minutes to do. He said mine was definitely way out of place.
Anyways, after a few 98o days here in TX and driving the Elise around, I can say that my A/C works fine. If the car was in the shade or in a garage it has no problem keeping it cool once you're out driving in the sun. Its cool enough that I had to turn it down as my hands were cold.
If the car has been sitting out and is already hot, it takes a few minutes to get the cabin comfy. Its not great but once I got going I was fine.
Also, my dealer said there is a big difference in the cooling capability between the std softop and the insulated touring softop.
So all in all, I'm happy. And A/C is a must for those of us who live here in TX. I think they should make a "Heater Delete" option for all of us down here for whom winter is 62o and sunny.
Anyways, I'm spoiled as, for whatever reason, the A/C in my black/black Evo VIII will absolutely freeze your fingers to the wheel. I call it the meat locker.
-Dave
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Hmmmm. As the self-appointed expert on the limits of the AC in the Elise, I think I need to take mine in. It cannot remotely keep up with Phoenix in the Summer. Anyone know where to get a sun shade for the windshield? My dash gets cooked!
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Wasn't the common problen in that the A/C stopped working after running fine for several minutes when it was hot out. Mine worked for like 10 minutes and then it just blew hot air. It was like it was frosting over thus stopping to perform correctly.
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Early cars (under 700) had the sensor placed in the wrong spot, and causing the freezing.
I got mine fixed today at the dealer, so far so good, will see this weekend.
I don't know why we have several threads, this one has way less information than the other one, and it's like talking in circles.
A:
Early cars (under 700) had the sensor placed in the wrong spot, and causing the freezing.
I got mine fixed today at the dealer, so far so good, will see this weekend.
I don't know why we have several threads, this one has way less information than the other one, and it's like talking in circles.
Hahahaha! Well the good thing of it is I just found out about the sensor issue you mention... Thanks! I must have missed it or got tired of reading through the 10 page threads. Thanks for the cliff notes version, I'm going to get that fixed asap.
A:
In Las Vegas this weekend:
109 degrees external, 114 internal (measured from passenger seat), softtop on, A/C was able to keep up fine. No perspiration wearing a T-shirt and shorts. Held temperature fine for 40 minutes plus 20 minutes uncovered in the afternoon sun. I am guessing it would be good to 115 or so at least.
Next day, 108 degreees external, 113 internal, no top (open.) A/C totally inadequate and ineffective. I knew this would be the case, so I carried several bottles of water with me. I just wanted to try it out and let all bystanders know I am an unrecreant British car nut.
Drove for 90 minutes, the wind currents totally overpower the A/C. Stationary, there is some modest cooling effect.
I don't believe I have a repositioned A/C sensor, but it was fully charged and tested 2 months ago.
Naturally, the humidity is very low in Las Vegas. So this helps reduce the load on the A/C a bit.
DLY
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I had my temp sensor relocated last week. Took the dealer tech about 10 minutes to do. He said mine was definitely way out of place.
-Dave
Dave,
Didn't realize it's only a 10 minute job. Did he happen to show you how he did it? Would like to try this myself to save a lengthly drive to the dealer.
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Seriously, read the other thread. These should be merged, if there's any salvagable information here.
The other thread has the Service Bulletin images, pictures, accurate info..
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On a sunny 100 degree day with high humidity the AC in my car, with the hard top on, can't quit keep up. It seems to me that the heat gain from strong sunlight and the heat dumped into the cabin by the engine coolant running in the frame from radiator to the engine overwhelms the AC. I am worried about driving in August, here in Austin the temps regularly exceed 100, with high humidity. I plan on getting the windows tinted, but as the wind shield can't be done and the most un comes through it I don't expect a large improvement.
I spoke with the technician at my dealer, Autostrada, and he told me that the AC system is weak. Autostrada has been reliable and so I believe what they tell me. However, any good sugestions would be welcome.
Thanks
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Seriously, read the other thread. These should be merged, if there's any salvagable information here.
The other thread has the Service Bulletin images, pictures, accurate info..
I agree, here is a link to where the real information on fixing it begins, some sample pictures on the next page as well
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The A/C concern that you all are having could be a result of the temperature probe needing to be repositioned. There is a techinical service bulletin issued from Lotus for repair. Ask your dealer to look up service bulletin 2005/01. The repair has 7 steps.
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Seriously, read the other thread. These should be merged, if there's any salvagable information here.
The other thread has the Service Bulletin images, pictures, accurate info..
I agree. Randy, help yourself if you care to (if it is possible)
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Yet another bump, since this continues to be a hot topic.
And again, I urge you to TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER if you are not happy with the performance of the AC.
They will not be able to get it to work as well as the one in your Ford truck, but it should be able to be tweaked to work adaquately to cool the car on a hot day.
Even if they can't get it to work as well as you would like it to, with enough complaints the word will get to Lotus which might inspire a future improvement, and might also include a fix for current models.
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I've got to agree with fitfan... I'm thinking I'm just gonna have the AC pulled on mine. I've only had it since March but it has been getting up to 100 around my town. In weather like that, I've always got the top off and never feel the need to turn the AC on anyway. So anyone who wants a spare AC unit for an Elise, I'll sell it to ya cheap.