Outside air entering cabin even with a/c in recirculation mode.

DCEite · 31st July 2008, 13:23

The a/c of my car throws outside air even in the recirculation mode. This is more noticeable when the vehicle in vicinity is emitting large amount of smoke, and it enters my cabin even in the recirculation mode.

Can it be related to the fact that my a/c servicing is due. It has not been serviced for the past 4 years.

JayD · 31st July 2008, 13:27

I'm experiencing the same problem in my matiz, I had the whole system checked, and there are no leaks apparently, also, the fresh air vent is closing properly. Its a major irritation when driving past dumpsters especially!!

anupmathur · 31st July 2008, 13:30

To an extent ALL cars take in some amount of external air.
The only thing that needs to be verified is whether the recirculation and fresh air flaps are doing their job properly.

DieselFan · 31st July 2008, 13:32

As time passes the beading which fills in the gaps in the door becomes ineffective and lets in outside air and sound.

srishiva · 31st July 2008, 13:38

It could be through the door beads. In one of my previous cars, you could feel the cool air entering through the door latch mechanism when driving fast.

bblost · 31st July 2008, 14:02

If air can come in, it will also go out

Use a couple of smoky agarbathis inside the fully closed car.
A person outside keeps a check to find where the smoke cames out from.

sukiwa · 31st July 2008, 14:41

Quote:

Use a couple of smoky agarbathis inside the fully closed car.

Simple cost effective solution. But use a container to hold agarbathi & its ash in order to avoid messing up carpet/mats.

Vid6639 · 31st July 2008, 14:44

well as far as i know the outside air almost always comes in even if the ac is in recirculation mode. The only thing the recirculation switch does is provide a direct path.

That's why the higher end cars have the plasma filter, pollen filter and what not to clean up the outside dirty air as much as possible before it enters the cabin.

example: the captiva has a pollution filter.

esteem_lover · 31st July 2008, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

If air can come in, it will also go out

Use a couple of smoky agarbathis inside the fully closed car.
A person outside keeps a check to find where the smoke cames out from.

I dont think it is a good idea & i dont believe it will work either. As suggested by anupmathur check if the air intake flap operates correctly. The car cabin is not air tight, there will be places where smell/sound can come in.

wanderernomad · 31st July 2008, 14:45

Nice idea, totally innovative but would it work if one wants to check if the flaps are doing their job or not? Depending upon the make of the car it might be a long wait.

tsk1979 · 31st July 2008, 14:49

Its the outside air flap. With time and dust lodging etc., it starts leaking. In most cars you need dashboard removal for cleanup and realignment. Don't have any idea about WagonR though.

Path_Finder · 1st August 2008, 22:41

It could be because of bad or dirty flaps. In many of the cars where this is controlled thru the soft switch, it could also be some problem in the system. I had the same problem – the first time I reported, they gave back saying there is no problem. Next service I insisted on a thorough check and then it turned out be some relay problem after replacing which now it is fine.

Note from TBHP support: since it contained various [FONT], [COLOR] and [SIZE] tags. Posting with such text formatting should be avoided on Team-BHP as it is inconvenient for members to read post. Kindly go through Announcements section before proceeding.

Thanking You for your anticipated co-operation

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viper · 2nd August 2008, 10:54

Hi,

The most common suspects would be the fresh air flap and the grommets through which the hoses, cables etc are passed thru the firewall. Unless you want to use the fresh air option i would suggest a simple cost effective permanent solution to that problem.

Go to any Ac mechanic/repair shop and ask him to seal of the fresh air flap with heatlon, This is what I have done in almost all my indian cars. Should not cost you more than Rs50/- including labour. Time taken 10-15 mins max.

Viper

toiingg · 2nd August 2008, 12:56

But if we seal it, that means we can never use the AC in fresh air mode. Correct ?

danlalan · 2nd August 2008, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper

Hi,

Go to any Ac mechanic/repair shop and ask him to seal of the fresh air flap with heatlon, This is what I have done in almost all my indian cars. Should not cost you more than Rs50/- including labour. Time taken 10-15 mins max.

Viper

HAd the same problem with my Ikon. Went to the a/c mech and he did seal the fresh air flap. Its a very simple process.

@toiingg if your need fresh air....Power your window down!!! and up again!!!

31st July 2008, 13:23	#1
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,588 Thanked: 3,479 Times	Outside air entering cabin even with a/c in recirculation mode. The a/c of my car throws outside air even in the recirculation mode. This is more noticeable when the vehicle in vicinity is emitting large amount of smoke, and it enters my cabin even in the recirculation mode. Can it be related to the fact that my a/c servicing is due. It has not been serviced for the past 4 years.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 13:27	#2
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,235 Thanked: 2,615 Times View My Garage	I'm experiencing the same problem in my matiz, I had the whole system checked, and there are no leaks apparently, also, the fresh air vent is closing properly. Its a major irritation when driving past dumpsters especially!!
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 13:30	#3
anupmathur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 3,095 Thanked: 311 Times	To an extent ALL cars take in some amount of external air. The only thing that needs to be verified is whether the recirculation and fresh air flaps are doing their job properly.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 13:32	#4
DieselFan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,584 Thanked: 260 Times	As time passes the beading which fills in the gaps in the door becomes ineffective and lets in outside air and sound.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 13:38	#5
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,372 Thanked: 2,260 Times	It could be through the door beads. In one of my previous cars, you could feel the cool air entering through the door latch mechanism when driving fast.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 14:02	#6
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,284 Thanked: 17,936 Times View My Garage	If air can come in, it will also go out Use a couple of smoky agarbathis inside the fully closed car. A person outside keeps a check to find where the smoke cames out from.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 14:44	#8
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,709 Thanked: 44,134 Times View My Garage	well as far as i know the outside air almost always comes in even if the ac is in recirculation mode. The only thing the recirculation switch does is provide a direct path. That's why the higher end cars have the plasma filter, pollen filter and what not to clean up the outside dirty air as much as possible before it enters the cabin. example: the captiva has a pollution filter. Last edited by Vid6639 : 31st July 2008 at 14:46.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 14:45	#10
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,552 Thanked: 1,296 Times View My Garage	Nice idea, totally innovative but would it work if one wants to check if the flaps are doing their job or not? Depending upon the make of the car it might be a long wait.
	() Thanks

31st July 2008, 14:49	#11
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	Its the outside air flap. With time and dust lodging etc., it starts leaking. In most cars you need dashboard removal for cleanup and realignment. Don't have any idea about WagonR though.
	() Thanks

1st August 2008, 22:41	#12
Path_Finder BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 622 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	It could be because of bad or dirty flaps. In many of the cars where this is controlled thru the soft switch, it could also be some problem in the system. I had the same problem – the first time I reported, they gave back saying there is no problem. Next service I insisted on a thorough check and then it turned out be some relay problem after replacing which now it is fine. Note from TBHP support: since it contained various [FONT], [COLOR] and [SIZE] tags. Posting with such text formatting should be avoided on Team-BHP as it is inconvenient for members to read post. Kindly go through Announcements section before proceeding. Thanking You for your anticipated co-operation The Team-BHP Support Staff Last edited by Jaggu : 1st August 2008 at 22:45. Reason: Font tags
	() Thanks

2nd August 2008, 10:54	#13
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,766 Thanked: 20 Times	Hi, The most common suspects would be the fresh air flap and the grommets through which the hoses, cables etc are passed thru the firewall. Unless you want to use the fresh air option i would suggest a simple cost effective permanent solution to that problem. Go to any Ac mechanic/repair shop and ask him to seal of the fresh air flap with heatlon, This is what I have done in almost all my indian cars. Should not cost you more than Rs50/- including labour. Time taken 10-15 mins max. Viper
	() Thanks

2nd August 2008, 12:56	#14
toiingg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 643 Thanked: 308 Times	But if we seal it, that means we can never use the AC in fresh air mode. Correct ?
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