So I've never touched the A/C system in the nearly 150K miles we've owned the '04 X-Type. Recently, (last month or so) I've noticed that sitting in traffic, drive-thru etc. The A/C doesnt blow cold, start moving and instantly starts cooling off. The rad/condenser fans appear to be working, they do come on and off once the car reaches temperature as required. Vehicle temp never has been an issue, and this summer has been no different. Could this just be the slow loss of refrigerant needing replaced? Something more?

 

There is a TSB for this fault and it is posted every now and then.

bob gauff

 

Checked out the TSB. Thats odd, remove the valve, remove the spring, install the valve, install the spring? Flip/Flop the valve/spring positions????

 

That's it, if you check out the S Type FAQ's there is a thread by Joycesjag on changing the compressor, with pictures, you can see that on the new compressor the valve has been deleted, I assume the mod with the spring renders it inoperable.