Air Con?

[Ruadh08]

Anyone having trouble with their aircon. First decent weather we have had, and I discover that mine either doesn't work, or is so useless not not be noticed!

[anubis1]

Go and ahve a check, if the gas is still in. As I wrote already in the forum: the frontcooler can be damaged by stones coming throu the frontgrid, then the gas goes off and no more AC effect.

We solved this problem by putting in a frontgrid mesh from a Lotus Seven. Does not effect the cooling but protects the frontcooler.

[Beady]

If stone damage really is the root cause of the problem then this is a serious design flaw and I would expect lotus to be arranging for a replacement grille.

However mine went AWOL very soon after collection and it was sorted by dealer - don't know how.

It has now failed again and will be going back to dealer shortly

[Simon350S]

That's a common problem on vectras too, we now have even more in common than just owning lotus'

[Derek]

Mine has gone too Paul. Apparently it's a trait of the car

The condenser is a common failure, and I'm getting mine replaced when it goes in for a service next month.

[Ruadh08]

Derek,

Yes, Murray's have diagnosed the condenser over the phone, and are fitting one for me on Wednesday! Pain in the arse driving it down and hanging around whilst that is sorted!

Drove to Aberdeen and back, today, and you really do miss aircon in a small cabin like the Evora!

Lotus need to get these fiddly problems sorted if they want to attract Porsche customers over, as they are used to higher standards of build and service!

[anubis1]

The steel of the condenser is too soft. ¨Replacing is not the solution, the problem is not solved. You will see ! And Lotus has no Condenseralternative. So there is only a tightening of meshes in the front grid as "protecting solution." You don't believe...?

You will see. I replaced three times...with old grid... and now I hope things are rolling. A.

[douglasgdmw]

Looks like MMC will be familiar with replacing condensers on Evora's by now.

Mines in for it service and its getting replaced under warranty as well.

George

[Al]

Mine and others I know as well in Scotland have been changed also. It will not just be us or our roads either but just more owners talking on our drive outs. I have also heard the corrosion issue story from another source.

Still having said that my Boxster S did exactly the same thing and the condensers there left and right with the factory body kit I had were equally exposed. I had them changed out of warranty - which remember with a Porker is only a miserable 2 years. Everything on my Porker failed at 2-1/2 years onwards.

[mdavies]

First time this year out in really hot weather yesterday - and the aircon doesn't work!

The only point I can add to the previous posts is that whereas when the car was new (June 2010) turning on the aircon raised the idle revs perceptibly - as it is supposed to do - yesterday it made no difference to the idle revs at all. So possibly it is an electrical fault. Dealer closed until tomorrow though.

I will report further when diagnosed.

[mdavies]

Dealer telephone diagnosis says its a "standard aircon problem", originally fitted parts faulty/inadequate, to be replaced with upgraded parts, two day job. My comment re no increase in idle speed on pressing the button does not indicate "something simple"!

[Myfavedave]

While it's a worry that these things are going wrong, it is quite reassuring that they're offering an upgrade rather than just replacing like for like.

Mine is going in for air-con fix next week too.

[Myfavedave]

I now have a beautifully chilled interior. Meaning the car, not me.

The dealer confirmed the common fault mentioned above, and has fitted the new uprated condensor.

[The Yorkshire Inquisition]

Think mine needs doing as well - started to suspect all was not well a couple of weeks ago - but then after a load of miles this weekend gone - realised all was not well

It seems to be fine when first switched on - then after a certain amount of time - just seems to stop working

The fan works ( well makes a noise - depending on setting) but hardly anything comes out - but leave the car for a while and it works properly again

Dealer can't do anything for the next couple of weeks - which is a pain as I'm driving up to Cape Wrath and back next week

I'm going to make it a positive by thinking about the weight loss of sitting in a sauna for 3 days

[Al]

I've just done about 1000 miles on Scottish west highland roads & islands these last 2 weeks and it wasn't bad with the air con off. Not a problem with the unit other than the constant fan noise and lovely weather so left it off and the window open. Told myself that the extra 3% grunt (or whatever they take) freed up was important for overtaking - & by God have I done some overtaking last week weeks. Brilliant car for this.

Anyway won't be an issue. Remember this is N Scotland you are talking about.... we have just had summer so the next 3 months will be cold and wet!!

[The Yorkshire Inquisition]

Thanks Allan

I'll pack me' wellies and umbrella

[douglasgdmw]

Remember the "midge" repellent

[The Yorkshire Inquisition]

Remember the "midge" repellent

Does the ex Ultravox frontman stalk Evora drivers?

[douglasgdmw]

As long as "The Proclaimers" do not get in on the act then you should be fine :-)

George

[The Yorkshire Inquisition]

Well I would drive 1000 miles..........

[Al]

STOP there!!

[RJB]

Mine is in for Air-Con fix next week too - just blowing warm air around for now will have Alpine replaced at same time, eject button ejected itself and unit has frozen for good it seems

......but the car is still a pleasure to drive without these "gadgets" !

[gloworm]

My condenser failed last year and was replaced under warranty. Just flew back to UK hoping to pick up the Evora and drive back to my apartment in Prague only to find new condenser has also failed. Looks like corrosion issue rather than stone damage. If you shine a strong torch on the matrix you can see the green tracer from the refrigerant all over the matrix no just one or two places. Had to abort the planned trip as travelling across Europe in a single day without aircon is just too hard work this time of year. Hope to get it sorted soon.

[TBD]

+1 on the broken AirCon.

Well, on Wednesday the summer finally got to Norhern Europe and I actually had the chance to turn it on in my Evora S.

Then yesterday afternoon the aircon-hose on the compressor ruptured.

So, should I now hope the summer is over tomorrow or sweat until my dealer gets the spare hose from Lotus?

[TBD]

OK, won't need the Aircon this week. Summers over for Northern Germany