Does the GT-S air conditioner suck?

[Jacque Strapp]

I got my 2001 GTS used, and it just got warm enough to bother using the AC. I turned the temp dial all the way to the left, the fan all the way on, and even switched to recirculated air, and the air conditioning is blowing air that is not really that cold (though it is colder than ambient temp). It was only 90-something degrees outside, and it never got comfortable in the car. My old 1991 Integra had better AC than this. Is this typical, or do you think the previous owner maybe broke the AC? I looked at the condenser (the car doesn't have a grill on the front), a few fins were bent, but nothing serious.

[WHITECELICAGTS]

mine is the same way this summer...

last summer it got so cold in my car that there was condensation on my vents, not anymore for some reason....

[Blue Bomber]

There was a conversation about this earlier. Basically, newer cars use a different type of AC coolant that is less effective, but better for the environment. That's why your '91 Teg felt cooler.

It would take a lot of bent condenser fins to change the effectiveness of the AC.

Also, you're supposed to use your AC every now and then to keep it fresh or something like that. Basically, if you haven't used your AC since last summer, it will most likely feel a bit warmer.

[02CelicaGT-S]

I thought I was the only one. Whew.

[SilverRide]

That`s normal to a large extent with most new cars for the reason already stated.

It will take a few minutes extra to cool the car down and for cold air to come out of the vents.
Don`t forget, the reason that "freon" was originally used for AC is because it worked so damn good compared to other chemicals.

[WillyK]

I've noticed with mine that it seems when you are driving it is cooler, but when you stop at a light or something the air isn't as cool. But yea the AC is weak in the Celica.

[daniel2880]

Originally posted by WillyK
I've noticed with mine that it seems when you are driving it is cooler, but when you stop at a light or something the air isn't as cool. But yea the AC is weak in the Celica.

Agree... me the same here..

[yakkosmurf]

Actually, if you look at the thermal properties of R-134 versus R-12, they are pretty close. R-134 is not worse. I converted my dad's Lexus from R-12 to R-134 a while back. Air comes out of his vents at 45 deg F when you've got it cranked. Also, my 2000 Teg blows much colder than my R-12 MR2 ever did. Btw, the Teg also does blow colder than my friend's GTS does. My brother's 94 Celica also blows nice and cold on R-134 (from the factory), but it's not as cold as the Lexus or my Teg. The temp has more to do with the A/C system design than the type of refridgerant. My family has owned many kinds of Toyotas over the years. Some of them have had "dog breath" temp A/Cs. Others have really cold ones.

[Jacque Strapp]

Guess I'll just drive real fast with my head out the window...

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by WillyK
I've noticed with mine that it seems when you are driving it is cooler, but when you stop at a light or something the air isn't as cool.That's cause air is moving through the vanes of the condenser, helping to keep everything cool. It also gives a bit more power to the AC system when you're at higher RPMs than idle.

[LEDmod]

My 94 Camry blows so cold air(even now).. and 2000 avalon blow much less colder air...
Celica blow similar air compare to avalon......
Once I star driving around.. it gets colder...

If it doesn't get cold.. check some compressor freon... etc.....
Not enough freon makes less cold....

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by Dooly
My 94 Camry blows so cold air(even now).. and 2000 avalon blow much less colder air...
Celica blow similar air compare to avalon......
Once I star driving around.. it gets colder...


Your 94 Camry should be running R-134.

[kkrkeith7]

i can't get the air to hit my face, the steering wheel is in the way, and it's really hard to aim those circular vents...mine seems ok not great as far as coldness.

[rocket celica]

I think the a/c not bad

[CloNeGTS]

I've been nothing but impressed with my AC. I've had the old refrigerant and the new and I can't tell the diff.

If it's that bad, have it looked at. My ride goes from direct-sunlight-at-95-degrees hot to nice-and-chilly cool in about 5 minutes.

[Da Kine Guy]

Originally posted by kkrkeith7
i can't get the air to hit my face, the steering wheel is in the way, and it's really hard to aim those circular vents...mine seems ok not great as far as coldness.

:werd: my brotha! Damn vents won't hit my face, that's the main reason I don't feel as cold in the Celica as some other cars.

[Lord Banshee]

Originally posted by CloNeGTS
I've been nothing but impressed with my AC. I've had the old refrigerant and the new and I can't tell the diff.

If it's that bad, have it looked at. My ride goes from direct-sunlight-at-95-degrees hot to nice-and-chilly cool in about 5 minutes.

:werd:

[daSchtick]

My A/C works really good, in comparison to every other car I've owned. In fact, last weekend, my wife, daughter, and I took my Celica (a rare instatnce!) instead of my wife's BLACK Acura Legend, because her car absorbs so much heat, it has trouble cooling off on 90 degree+ sun. Whereas my Celica blows really cool, and the silver color reflects a lot of the heat from the sun.

-Nick

[2000 XYR]

yakkosmurf said:
I converted my dad's Lexus from R-12 to R-134 a while back. Air comes out of his vents at 45 deg F when you've got it cranked. I got my '90 Prelude converted from R12 to R134a about a month ago. They tested everything and said it was fine. It was blowing at 40 degrees. Not bad. It still feels weak compared to my truck though. A lot of my trip is stop and go, so it's probably just because A/C isn't very efficient at idle RPMs. Once I get past the backup and start to drive at 60-70 it does a lot better job. ;)

[mirconrice]

about the A/C, i finally had to use it in the past couple of weeks seeing that fresno is hot as heck even at night. I noticed that if you close the passenger side vents, more air will come out of the other two...well I hope it cools down in fresno cause its killing my car...i wish i was back in santa barbara...:AF:

[gto78]

My 94 celica had ice cold air even at the stop light in 95 degree weather. But the new celica doesnt get cold unless i am driving at least 40mph. I did partially cure the problem, and my idle a/c temp went from 60 to 51 degrees. I removed the black support bracket that sits directly behind the upper grill. This was completely blocking all air from hitting the condensor throught the upper grill. It meant i had to unbolt the bumper to get the bracket out but it was really worth it. Now you can see the condensor through the upper grill and it looks nice since its bright aluminum.

[00CericaRuss]

well, i just got back from 114 degree AZ weather, and, the ac did the trick... I have no complaints

[kuno]

I get good comments from passengers who sit in the back about how they like my AC.

And yeah I hate how the steering wheel gets in the way... What I sometimes do when the AC first starts is put my hands at 3 and 9 o'clock on the steering wheel so the AC air sorta travels up my arm a little to keep cool.

[GT-Skid]

My a/c sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[2000 XYR]

kuno said:
I get good comments from passengers who sit in the back about how they like my AC. Your kidding! The Celica has a back seat? ;) Not much room back there.

[gto78]

This is what the upper grill looks like with that black bracket removed, notice how you can see everything now. It lowered my a/c temp 9 degrees when sitting in traffic.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid24/pc5a1b20219f1af485a91138ae5ef35ab/fd987bce.jpg