Help with 458 AC question. | FerrariChat

Help with 458 AC question.

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by First, Dec 2, 2010.

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  1. First

    First Rookie

    Feb 14, 2010
    33
    Hi guys. New member here. Got my new 458 recently and notice the airconditioner wasn't too cold. Got the ac guys to check it out and found the R134 gas was too low. Now the intructions manual says to fill it up to 670grams of it with a +/- of 30grams. Problem is when we filled it up to 600grams the pressue of the gas has hit pass 250psi (or some form of pressure unit which I'm not sure off) And according to them, most car's shouldn't go pass 300 of this pressure limit.

    So my problem is, I really want to fill the R134 up to 670grams as per mentioned on the intructions manual but according to my AC guys, they said if I do that, pressure would be way pass 330psi (or certain unit use for aircond pressure) which will be trendmendous strain on the AC pipes and connectors. So does anyone here know what is the safe/upper limit of the aircond pressure allowed for the 458?

    Note: My airconditioner is operating normally and cold with 600grams filled but I just want to follow the factory intructions. Anyone has any clues?
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,646
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    If its a new car surely that is a warranty issue for your dealer to resolve ?
     
  3. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,207
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Hello friend and welcome to Ferrari Chat. :):)

    You dont want to overfill the a/c system as it can 'lug' the compressor causing premature compressor wear and/or failure. Not saying that you ARE trying to overfill the a/c, just saying. :):)

    When an a/c system reaches and goes over 300 psi it can cut out on 'high pressure'. Some systems are set to 300 psi through the high pressure switch before the compressor clutch kicks out. Some systems go up to 350 psi, all depends on how the system was designed. :):)

    Either way, you should not be anywhere near that pressure when the a/c is working properly and efficiently. :):)

    If its getting cold with only 600 grams of gas, then I wouldnt worry about it mate. 30-70 grams is bugger all in the grand scheme of things. Some a/c systems will take 200 grams more than they should, some you will NEVER get the same amount of gas back in the system. Weird. :):)

    So if it gets cold and cycles fine, then I wouldnt stress too much about it. :):)

    Id be more concerned where the missing gas went. Perhaps there is a leak there in the system somewhere? Did they check for leaks while they were there? :):)

    Congrats on the 458. :):)
     
  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    105,391
    Vegas baby
    If I were you I wouldn't have any "AC guys" work on my 458. First they may screw it up and second they may void your warranty.

    You paid for the warranty. Call the dealer and have them deal with it.
     
    F485 likes this.
  5. Ingpr

    Ingpr F1 Rookie

    Jun 30, 2009
    2,619
    PR
    Full Name:
    David
    1+
     
  6. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,337
    Purgatory
    Full Name:
    Clifford Gunboat
    Pap, was there a sale on :):)?
     
  7. FerrariChallenged

    Jan 14, 2009
    67
    Stick an instant read thermometer in one of the center vents when the system is on Max A/C (temp on LO, fan on manual high, recirc activated) and see what the exit air temperature is. Post that info here as well as the relative ambient temp/humidity.

    As for the amount of R134 needed, there was an error in the amount needed to charge the Maserati Gran Turismo. This caused the A/C to not work properly after repair, as they were overcharged. Because of this, as others have said, take your 458 to a dealer, as it is under warranty, and if there is an error in the specifications, they will be able to get the correct information from Ferrari.
     
  8. pippo

    pippo Formula 3

    Sep 25, 2005
    1,913
    FL
    Full Name:
    pippopotemus
    Right! Initially I thought you moight have been refering to an older Ferrari, but man, if its "new', under warranty, its a no brainer. Dont touch a thing! Bring 'er back.

    BTW, there is really, according to ac experts, not me, no way to accurately tell how much weight of refrigerant is in a system. You cant go by low/high pressure either. Yeah, if its not cold at all, I have even tried adding just a tad, say, 0.5 lb, and if you get cold with just that, your OK. But still, no way of knowing if it say, needed 1lb or so.........

    Only way is to evacuate ALL and start over.
     
  9. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,207
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Yep. :eek::eek:

    Do the dealers have an actual a/c guy??? Or someone trained to service/repair them? :):)

    Or do they get in a/c guys themselves? :):)

    I assumed they did recover the gas and then added 600 grams back into it. That is how they knew they couldnt get those extra grams in there. :):)
     
  10. First

    First Rookie

    Feb 14, 2010
    33
    Thanks for the response guys! Yeap it was a new car but unfortunately I do not have the luxury of dealership nor warranty here. I couldn't wait for th 2 1/2 years waiting list over here in malaysia so I had mine grey imported in from UK (rhd) so I suppose the official ferrari dealer wouldn't service my car but i never tried, they might be able to! I got so used doing self maintenance on my car that i hardly go back to the dealers nowadays such as my R35 GTR (no official dealer in malaysia)

    Anyway i honestly doubt mine has a leak. My car was bought 5 months back but i only ship it back here after 5 months so I assume that all those months of non activity might have done something to the AC. I was told perfectly normal AC would lose its charge if you dont use the car over extended period of time.

    Yes pap, they found refrigerant inside but not enough. They manage to put in around 550 grams of it to be exact. I suppose only time will tell if I have a leak by being a new 458 that it is, I hardly doubt so. Thanks for all the welcome! Was just kinda paranoid at first to have asked this question. :)
     
  11. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,207
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Interesting!! :):)

    I would give them a call anyways and enquire. Imagine owning a new Ferrari and NOT having warranty!! :eek::eek:

    I hope you have deep pockets. :eek::eek:

    Man, not true. I have seen cars sit for years and the a/c works fine on start up. :):)

    You *may* have a leak there somewhere. A/c hoses can leak over time. They leak through the hose, not the fittings. Its just the way it goes. :):)

    I did an a/c service on my friends Toyota L/C 2 yrs ago. Car was 15 yrs old at the time and been sitting for a few years. He never drives the car and had only 40,000 km on it after 15 yrs. It was like brand new still. He has NEVER had the a/c serviced before. A/c was nice and cold, everything was ok but I thought it may have been a good idea to service it. :):)

    The system holds 750g of gas. I recovered around 720g of gas. I put in a new drier, vacced down for a few hours and filled her back up. I could only get in 700g of gas. :p:p

    Anywho, its all good. :):)

    You may have a leak man. I have seen new cars leak a/c gas before. A lot actually. You have to remember its as simple as 'pinching' an oring when installing it or leaving a fitting loose etc..etc. :):)

    Hopefully there is no issue, but ya just never know. Keep an eye on it man and let us know if there is an issue down the track. :):)

    Hope you have fun brother and enjoy the Ferrari! Wish you the best with it. :):)
     
  12. rossocorsa

    rossocorsa Karting

    Jan 29, 2004
    236
    UK
    Full Name:
    Colin
    Most new cars are short filled from the factory ie just enough charge for the ac to work.....obviously a cost cutting measure by the bean counters.
     
  13. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,207
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Lol, interesting. :D:D
     
  14. portogts

    portogts Formula 3
    Owner Project Master

    Aug 31, 2008
    2,344
    Maia-Portugal
    Full Name:
    Vitor Sousa
    OK! Never heard that one before...
     
  15. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    I can't speak for newer cars but all I've seen have both a maximum and minimum pressure switch in the a/c gas line which disable the a/c clutch. I've heard of backyard mechanics filling a system with low freon until the clutch starts and giving a bit more.
     
  16. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,207
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Yep, all a/c systems have a low and high pressure switch Paul. :):)

    The low pressure switch cuts out the compressor when the system is low on gas. Low gas in the system (or no gas) can cause compressor damage. So the clutch kicks out and you have no a/c. :):)

    The high pressure switch cuts out the compressor when the system reaches too much pressure on the high side. This happens so you dont blow a/c hoses, blow out orings etc..etc. and dump the a/c gas to atmosphere. Seeing as were are protecting the ozone layer etc..etc. ;);)
     
  17. Sultan_458

    Sultan_458 Karting
    BANNED

    Jan 5, 2018
    59
    Uae
    Full Name:
    Sultan
    Hi Paul.. I am new in this site.. I just bought my 458 recently.. 3days ago the climate control completely disable none of the buttons is working and there no beam light either .. I check out mostly fuse and I couldn't find any damage fuse.. Do you guys have any idea about it.
    Thanxs
    Regards sultan

    Sent from my SM-N920C using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  18. Aaron Paul Garcia

    Jun 11, 2019
    2
    Full Name:
    Aaron Paul Garcia
    Hi. I just want to ask because we have Ferrari 458 Italia and we are trying to fill new freon but we cannot find where is the area to fill the freon?
     
  19. Aaron Paul Garcia

    Jun 11, 2019
    2
    Full Name:
    Aaron Paul Garcia
    Hi.

    I just want to know where can I filling the freon filling are on Ferrari 458 Italia because we tried to fill and we cannot find in the car.
     

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