[Guest]

Poor AC on the V8 powered cars!

I’ve had this car just over a month and its been looked at 3 times for its AC. The problem is that there is nothing wrong with the AC according to MG.

WRONG there is, it just doesn’t work effectively. Consequently the design must be wanting in some way - see bottom of post!

Last night for example we drove 6 miles and the screens barely cleared with HI selected on the AC interface. This isn’t right, plus the noise at this level is unbearable. Or is my expectations after the previous cars fitted with AC too high?

To be very frank – I’m disappointed and this niggle is starting to annoy.

I have to say I always drive with the AC on and this is spoiling the enjoyment of the 260.


AC info, A new HEVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning) unit is fitted to the ZT 260. The new unit is a water-blend design featuring a dedicated electronic control unit to drive servo-motor valves to regulate the water flow around the heating circuit. This system has been refined to offer similar levels of response and control to the existing ZT’s acclaimed air-blending system. All models feature ATC (Automatic Temperature Control), using the familiar user-friendly interface of other ZT models.

 

[sward]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure the last car to feature a water blend heater was the pre 1990 VW Polo and this car was slated by the press for its unresponsive heating and ventilation system.

 

[Guest]

Been out in the car and I have to say the AC spoils what is otherwise a brilliant machine.

In winter no heat. I just hope it cools OK in the British heatwave!

Want to buy a ZT260?

 

[sward]

Jerry,

You surely cannot be bored of that car already? You've waited the best part of two years for it.

 

[Guest]

Waited LONGER actually and it was th 385 I really wanted. Just dissapointed in the "small" fuel tank.

Plus the AC that doesn't work as well as a standard heater would!

Cars fantastic other than these short comings. I wonder what a Captain of Industry will think in the rear of hs Rover V8 freezing his nuts off?

 

[sward]

Maybe a Tartan Rug should be standard equipment for said Captains of industry?

 

[ffred]

Maybe a Tartan Rug should be standard equipment for said Captains of industry?

With flat cap & driving gloves?

Back to the days of 'real' motoring :lol:

Seriously, how are the other 260 owners finding it?

 

[LordNikon]

Surely if it doesn't heat very well, it's not going to cool much better either !

 

[Guest]

Surely if it doesn't heat very well, it's not going to cool much better either !

Confused you shouldn't be - of course it won't cool in the Summer (I did say - "hope")!

 

[LordNikon]

Confused you shouldn't be - of course it won't cool in the Summer (I did say - "hope")!

It is a good excuse to get the windows down and listen to the V8 on song

 

[barichardson]

Jerry
Funny you should raise the Heating/AC system on the 260 today, because I drove to Deptford first thing this morning with the heating on and sweltered, then coming home mid afternoon the cooling system seemed to work as well as the Tourer, so you must have a fault in your equipment. Of course my AC may show a defficiency once the better summer weather is with us.

Do you find low gears are lazy on pull away, and is this because the running in is not completed with only 380 miles recorded?

Still waiting for the outstanding accessories!!
BAR

 

[Janspeed-ZR]

It is a good excuse to get the windows down and listen to the V8 on song

From when I drove a ZT260 I remember it wasn't necessary to have the window down!

That V8 noise just burst through the cabin!:beerchug

 

[Guest]

Jerry
Funny you should raise the Heating/AC system on the 260 today, because I drove to Deptford first thing this morning with the heating on and sweltered, then coming home mid afternoon the cooling system seemed to work as well as the Tourer, so you must have a fault in your equipment. Of course my AC may show a defficiency once the better summer weather is with us.

Brian - well mines useless.

It was checked at longbridge and twice at Kernahans - - I'm not happy about this!

Martin Kernahans car is the same BTW.

 

[Guest]

Just done another 230 miles with a "CLIMATE CONTROL" system that is useless. It doesn't even revert to AC well.

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[tallbeans]

AIRCON ASSESSMENT

Have just taken delivery of my ZT-T 260SE in Typhoon (Last one of the line in MY03 according to MGR through my dealer (No 213 incidentally).
Have read your posts re the AC with some concern Jerry - so will feedback my results as it beds in. However, first long drive yetserday with OAT of 17C but very sunny ie hot cabin, seemed to show a good cooling effect when set to 18C in cabin. More to follow. I note the sun detector on the forward dash has now changed design from a hemi-sphere on my 190+ to a sort of pyramid shape - maybe this has had an effect too?
As for the car itself - what an improvement over the 190+! -and that was a great car! Much chunkier well-built feel, better ride (new suspension effect) and no engine noise at a steady 70 (2000 rpm!) Gearbox a little notchier as advertised elsewhere- but nothing to get too disturbed about - it still works well - and the rest of the car more than compensates for this small niggle!
Looking forward to getting to know this Bruiser really well as the engine loosens up.

 

[PWW]

I agree the aircon isnt great compared to some but it does work..
Can keep interior climate cool and when raising temp form say 19 to 22 there is an initial increase in heat untill the temp settles.
Havent used it much though due to the weather. Mainly used to demist the front screen with a blast of hot air. Heat does filter through into cabin without unit on as well.
Waiting till summer for its real workout though.
One thing I have noticed when it has been used is a puddle under the car roughly in line of bulkhead ????....maybe condensation????

 

[mgbee]

The water blend does not work very well in my MGB either. Some sort of hat prehaps?

 

[ffred]

One thing I have noticed when it has been used is a puddle under the car roughly in line of bulkhead ????....maybe condensation????

Usually is condensation from the cooler. I've had people come up to me & say the car is leaking water :lol:

Without going into science, it just means that the air going into the cabin is dryer than the air outside. Another advantage of Climate Control.

 

[Guest]

Well,

Reading between the lines I think you are all saying that the system is not as efficient as you have been used to.

I concure the R75/ZT system was fantastic. The 260 does not compare to those cars at all or the cheap Jap muck I'm driving now.

The car is going in "on recall" and I've asked them to check it again!

If it can't be fixed I'm getting rid of it.

 

[SPANNERS]

Jerry,Get your dealer to check the heater temperature control valve inside the heater plenum chamber (where the ECU was fitted to the 190).We have found a faulty valve fitted to one of the cars we have delivered.This can bleed hot coolant in to the heater system when cold is selected (required for A/C operation) This valve is contolled by an electric motor,which when activated by the control switch inside the car,rotates a cylinder which closes off the hot water supply to the heater matrix. When you select cold,the motor does'nt rotate the valve far enough,allowing a small flow of hot coolant to remain in the system.....get you dealer to remove the valve and check its operation.........just a thought.
Sorry to hear this spoiling your enjoyment of a great car.