Good afternoon people. New to the forum and hoping for some assistance.

I have a soft top 2007 XKR (X150) with around 54K miles. I only bring it out in the spring / summer, and usually only on sunny days with the roof down. Because of this, I rarely use the Aircon as it's a waste of fuel. Driving through Switzerland a few weeks back, it started raining, so we put the roof up and had the aircon on full as it was still very warm. At first it was cold as ice, but as we progressed, it started blowing warmer air though. For the rest of the holiday we had to drive everywhere with the roof down as there was no cold air coming through at all, and it was 40 degrees C in Italy. The wife and I both ended up with terrific sun tans, but my it was unbearable.

When back in the UK, I booked it into a local Jag specialist who I have been going to for the last few years. They tried re-gassing, but this didn't make any difference. They are suggesting (even though they say it's rare) that the Compressor is at fault and the control valve seems to be pulling down the voltage, causing the compressor to not cut in when needed.

The prices I have been quoted for a new compressor are eye watering, and even a second hand part is going to cost almost £800 inc. fitting and VAT.

Has anyone had a similar experience, and did it indeed turn out to be the Compressor or is there another potential link in the chain to consider? I don't really want to shell out loads of cash only to find it wasn't the problem after all. I was thinking maybe of getting a local Air-Con specialist in to do a diagnostic for £50.00.

If that is the problem, can anyone suggest a good place to get a second hand Compressor as even an aftermarket unit is £1420 inc fitting. A brand new one is £2340!!

 

TXV?
Thermostatic eXpansion Valve.
Course, there's also that one little fitting on the compressor also.
When I say TXV, that may not be a Jaguar thing. More mundane automobiles usually have a problem with the TXV when A/C underperforms.

With the service gauges attached to both High and Low sides with the engine running and full-blast A/C, the indicated pressures will not be correct. Usually High Side TOO high, but sometimes fluctuating.

 

For anything a/c related I would always go to a specialist auto a/c shop.

Richard

 

What part number are you being told the compressor is? My 2008 appears to have C2C39502 that is available new (in the US) from many aftermarket sources for less than $400. Rockauto, AutohausAZ, etc.

 

I'd be wary of aftermarket compressors, based on experience. Last year I thought I'd give one of these a try to save as much as possible as I was having the main dealer do the fitting. Well something went horribly wrong immediately with the new Nissens aftermarket compressor and according to the technician destroyed the entire AC system which ended up costing nearly 10 grand to repair with all new parts.

 

The following threads should be helpful. A/C failure does not necessarily mean that the compressor is bad - it could be a fuse, a buggered control module, blower motor damage from condensate backup from the duckbill, or incorrectly setting the controls. . Proper diagnosis is critical.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...emoval-170640/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...oblems-164597/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...orking-197406/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-fuse-225106/

 

Many thanks for your answers everyone. When I get the chance I will digest them all thoroughly.

 

Mine was perfect for a few years. Then cold, and not so cold on trips. I got some refrigiant added, perfect.
Do you really trust your shop? Could they be trying to make money out of a simple refill need?
A/C should be used often, or seals get hard. So the money you saved on gas not using A/C comes back to bite you now. Sorry

 

This went from cold to warm suddenly. I'm led to believe that if its the refrigerant running low, then it's a gradual decline rather than sudden.

 

Maybe. If there's not enough to build the pressure the system expects it cuts out. I would drive to an A/C expert, ask for a refill, and see if that worked