Looks like my wife's 04 RX8 has an A/C problem which has become very noticable during the hot spell. The car has never had a real effective AC system but with the temps in the 90's it feels just cool to the touch.

To get ready for the battle with the dealer, does anyone have the spec on what the temp should be of the cooled air as it comes out of the vent? I've got a IR thermometer which will give the the temp at the vent. I just hate to go to the dealer and get the " they all do it routine" without getting my ducks lined up in advance.
Thanks for any help.

 

The problem with the '04's is that the cooling cycles too much. There's a TSB about it if you go to www.finishlineperformance.com

That being said, I don't think and IR thermometer will catch the temp difference, as the plastic you'd be reading will be relatively static temp wise. You need to measure the air as it comes out, which will have a lot of variation to it. (If it's like other '04 models).

 

After the TSB and the new amplifier, mine cycles between about 42-43 and 47-48 degrees on recirculate and fan 2. This is in 110 to 115 degree days in Arizona. Before the new amplifier, it cycled about 5 degrees higher. The TSB is at http://www.finishlineperformance.com...02-04-1338.pdf . Do a search for more information.

 

Well I never reached speeds above 46mph.

While going up the mountain in 105 degree heat we reached the top and it was 82 outside.

Mine read a constant 48 and only moved to 50 rarely.

Once I got the speed up it reached 46 degrees.

The problem in not the A/C it's the heat from the car.

Take a reading near the console between the seat. It's 90 degrees.

A/C is cold but there's more heat from the engine and tranny.

Need to add some heat wrap to the car.

http://www.thermotec.com/products/products.html

If warp the A/C tube you will notice improvement.

If you do research you will find all small sports cars are pretty warm in the cockpit.

 

I feel for you...
My 04 AC was mediocre at best... even with all the fixes...

My 06 in Black works better, not perfect but better...
Our car isn't known for it's wonderful AC...
Perhaps if there were a more powerful fan motor it might work better...

The windows work real well though

 

I positioned up a digital pyrometer probe at the opening of the vent on the RX8 dash with the car warmed up but in the shade and turned the air on; outside temp was 77 deg.

With the system closed, it's coldest temp at the vent was 55deg.; with the system open (taking in outside air) it was 60deg.

By comparison the same thing was done to our 04 explorer and a 06 Boxster;
Explorer:

Closed--37 deg. (max setting)
Open---40 deg.

Boxster:
Auto setting--41 deg.

To determine if the pyrometer was accurate, I compared it's readout of the house temp to the house thermostate setting and another indoor digital thermometer; they were all identical.

Observations:
I'm glad it did this so that I have some ammunition for discussion with the dealer.
The RX8's system just isn't in the same ballpark as the two other vehicles, either due to low refrigerant, malfunction of the amplifier or system design. It's no wonder this car feel hot on warm, sunny day.

 

you need the amp reprogrammed is all