Air Con On Ls400

kpnuts · June 4, 2009

hi

went to look at a ls 400 for sale today and the air con didnt get cold after the enginge had been running for 5 mins,should i walk away from buying it will it be expensive to repair?

or is the sales guy right when he says it takes a while to get cold?

thanks this will be my first lexus so i want to get it right.

steve2006 · June 4, 2009

Hi Welcome to the LOC

Mine is producing cold air within a couple of minutes from starting.

When the engine is warm and at normal tickover (around 650RPM) switch on the air con and see if the RPM rise this normally indicates the compressor is engaged.

Have you not had an extended test drive or did you just let it tick over on the forecourt for 5 minutes. If the salesman says "it takes a while" drive it for "a while" then recheck the air con.

Ask them to have the AC checked by an independant and then look at their report.

Also don't forget there are many other things that need accessing when buying a used car particularly the suspension.

How long is the MOT? if it hasn't got a fresh ticket ask for one.

Is there a warranty ( by law a dealer has to give one)

There are plenty of LS's out there if there is any doubt walk away, another is just around the corner

JellyBean · June 4, 2009

There are plenty of LS's out there if there is any doubt walk away, another is just around the corner

I think if you have doubts about a car, this the best advice of all.

kpnuts · June 4, 2009

thanks for that both, i keep watching the classifed here but no luck with one yet !!

will try the ac on other ones to see if they are better.

any other buying tips?

steve2006 · June 4, 2009

thanks for that both, i keep watching the classifed here but no luck with one yet !!
will try the ac on other ones to see if they are better.

any other buying tips?

Buy as new as you can afford and don't buy without full service history, mileage not so important if looked after properly.

gribley · June 5, 2009

The aircon may not be a problem, systems lose pressure over time due to the very small gas molecules being able to seep through rubber hoses. If its not been re gassed for 3 or 4 years its probably short on gas. Slow to cool down and not getting as cold as it should are signs of low gas.

thermoacc · June 7, 2009

As gribley`s quote above....But if the car is in good order, low miles,good service history etc, dont leave it behind just because the a/c is not working.....probably an easy fix anyway. The compressor is the most expensive part on the system and if that is ok (engaging with a "click" when switched on) you are half way there.

Where in Wales are you?

kpnuts · June 8, 2009

As gribley`s quote above....But if the car is in good order, low miles,good service history etc, dont leave it behind just because the a/c is not working.....probably an easy fix anyway. The compressor is the most expensive part on the system and if that is ok (engaging with a "click" when switched on) you are half way there.
Where in Wales are you?

thanks for the tip i am in bridgend you know it?

thermoacc · June 9, 2009

As gribley`s quote above....But if the car is in good order, low miles,good service history etc, dont leave it behind just because the a/c is not working.....probably an easy fix anyway. The compressor is the most expensive part on the system and if that is ok (engaging with a "click" when switched on) you are half way there.
Where in Wales are you?

thanks for the tip i am in bridgend you know it?

Bridgend....Yeah know it well. I am a a/c engineer from Caerphilly if you need help with your prospective LS. My colleague is in Bridgend too.