F430 AC not cold | FerrariChat
Buy

F430 AC not cold

Discussion in '360/430' started by Mitchellreed, Aug 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Mitchellreed

    Mitchellreed Rookie

    Mar 2, 2024
    4
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Reed
    #1 Mitchellreed, Aug 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM
    I bought my 06 back in March and it's been a fun car to drive. At the end of June, I was pulling out of a parking lot and heard a hissing sound, didn't think it was the car at first and started seeing some smoke or vapor in the engine compartment. The light was green, traffic so I continued and the smoke dissipated within a few seconds. The passenger mentioned it got warmer in the car after that, so assumed it was something to do with AC. Finally had a chance to get under the car to look at the compressor and while not super mechanically inclined, nothing looked loose or dangling, so to my eyes everything looked "normal". Any ideas on where to check next? I am hearing a click when pressing the OFF button in the cabin when the car is on.

    Looking at this parts diagram, nothing is jumping out as something to investigate next. https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Ferrari/430/F430_Coupe_(USA)/PartDiagrams/0140/AC_SYSTEM?ref=014
     
  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,008
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #2 flash32, Aug 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
    Could be you punctured your condenser in front - do you have AC gauges ?
    First step is to see if you have pressure in the lines
    If pressures are good then we need to see if compressor is actually engaging and look at pressures while car is running and ac is on
     
  3. Flyingbrick242

    Flyingbrick242 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 26, 2017
    685
    Northern AZ.
    #3 Flyingbrick242, Aug 29, 2025 at 12:17 PM
    With the description OP stated coming from the engine compartment I would say loss of refrigerant, I cant imagine the compressor activating if the sensors report low refrigerant.
    As Flash32 suggested check for leaks this can be done by simply connecting A/C pressure gauges, Your low and High should show equal pressure BEFORE engaging system...if they both show zero you have lost all refrigerant.
    Oily wet spots around the system could be a strong indication this is where the leak originated from.
    Good Luck.
     
    flash32 likes this.
  4. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,008
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #4 flash32, Aug 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
    Unfortunately when i read "engine" my mind read "front " silly me - brain fart
     
  5. Flyingbrick242

    Flyingbrick242 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 26, 2017
    685
    Northern AZ.
    #5 Flyingbrick242, Aug 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
    Dom it happens to me also...No worries...this smoke could be a defective clutch for the AC compressor...he first needs to observe static pressures.
     
    flash32 likes this.
  6. Mitchellreed

    Mitchellreed Rookie

    Mar 2, 2024
    4
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Reed
    #6 Mitchellreed, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
    There definitely was a hose surround with an oily residue. I’ll get a hold of some gauges to test pressure. Thanks for the tips!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

Share This Page