QuestionWe have owned our 2003 HSE7 for 16 months. The weather this summer in Minnesota has been more summer-like with 90F-95F ambient temperatures for a couple weeks. Humidity levels have been fairly high as well, with dewpoints at or near 70F. We had our truck into the dealership to check the AC system after perceived under performance. The service tech indicated the system had no leaks, the radiator wasn't blocked and the discharge temperature recorded was 38F. However, the cabin temperature is not comfortable at all. The driver's side vents discharge cool air, but certainly not cold, even when set to LO and MAX fan and RECIRC. The passenger's side discharge temperature is almost hot. My wife recently took a 6 hour round trip and she and her passenger sweat the whole way. Again, during this trip the exterior temp was over 90F and she and the AC set to LO, MAX fan, RECIRC, and all front vents open, i.e. no air discharging at feet. If I had our old '96 Tahoe set to MAX cool for that long we'd step out of the truck as icicles. Thank goodness we have a 2000 Chrysler T&C for the long trips with our young kids. I can't believe that the V8 in this truck can't cool the cabin down just standing still. FYI, I am a mechanical engineer with an HVAC background, I understand refrigeration system performance and know what cold discharge air is, this 2003 Disco is deficient on all accounts. Any suggestions or possible questions to pose to the dealership would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
AnswerHi Einar,
if the dealership is telling you that your 2003 Disco has no mechanical AC problem, after what you just described, I'd say someone is "full of hot air" and its not you!
The AC on your Disco should work as well as any other vehicle and it would seem that they are trying to avoid servicing this. Have this serviced before your warranty runs out!
If you are not satisfied with your dealership, you can always go to another. You can also escalate this problem to the LandRover Head Office (LRNA):
website: www.landroverusa.com (see "contact us")
2 offices in US...
West Coast:
Land Rover North America
One Premier Place
Irvine, CA 92618
949-341-6100
East Coast:
Land Rover North America
555 MacArthur Blvd.
Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-818-8500
Contacts:
Michael O'Driscoll- President and CEO
Richard Beattie - EVP, Marketing and Sales
Sally Eastwood - VP, Marketing
Pat Ward - VP, Retail Operations
Vic Bernardini- President, Canada
Marcello Leite - President and Managing Director, Mexico
So if your dealership continues to blow cold air in your face, pardon the pun, you should advise them that you will be contacting LRNA. Mention CEO Michael O'Driscoll's name.
IF the dealership is that difficult, go right to the top of LRNA and raise your voice. Clearly, you've got a bad compressor that needs replacing. They cost about $1200 to replace.
Best of luck,
JohnMc
