RAM

I had my Rx8 delivered two weeks ago and have issues with the air conditioner. I have reviewed the other postings on this subject and wonder if any new information has been found.

Outside temperature was 52 F this morning and the system blows air at 130 F with the air off, vents open and the temperature dial centered. At full "heat" it was blowing 160 F. At the other end it was blowing 75 F.

With the air on and centered it is still blowing air at above outside temperature . . . close to 100F. It is only when the temperature dial is at maximum cold with air on that it appears to cool the outside air.

I intend to take it to the dealer but would be interested in any information or comments anyone might have before I do so. The postings have not been encourageing regarding the response I am likely to get. It did blow at close to the 47 F "standard" with a 50 degree outside tempurature and the air on, vents closed and the tempurature dial at maximum.

Psylence

Let me guess.. you were sitting in your driveway with the car running doing these tests?

RAM

Nope. I was running down the interstate on the way to work. Is that suppose to be a put down?

Psylence

No Capt. Sensitive, it wasn't.

I was asking because I have noticed that heat *does* build up in the ducts if the car is stationary. Once the car gets rolling, after a few seconds the air returns to proper temps. I attribute this to the fact that the engine is practically underneath the dashboard, so a bit of ambient heat is expected.

If your air is coming out that hot when the car is moving, then that does sound like a potential problem.

RAM

I guess it was the "Let me guess . . . " lead in with the suggestion that I would take the temperature readings in an stationary vehicle with the engine running and expect that having the vents open would mean anything.

I took the readings because in other threads on the subject of the air conditioning problem it was suggested (rightfully so) that without such readings it was hard to answer the concerns posted. The reaction to temperature being so subjective. I thought someone would know what the "standard" was and whether it was normal for the system in this car to be putting out hot (130 degree) air while running on the interstate at 65mph with vents open, air off, and the temperature dial set at midpoint. (where the blue and red come together). It has never been so in any other car I have owned and I assumed that meant something was wrong. Posting here have suggested that the specs on the Rx8 system were weak and caused me concern that maybe this was as designed and the system heated all air except when in the max. cold setting.

I was hoping that someone who had previously reported a similar problem would know if Mazda had determined the source of the problem so I could report that fact to the dealer in case he was unaware or denied it is a problem. I know on other threads that it was indicated a solution was in the works but I have been unable to find a posting on what that solution was or if in fact it has been identified.

Thanks.

RAM

P.S. I owned an Rx7 for 15 years before buying the Rx8 and never had a similar problem with the air (not that that means anything).

B-Nez

As far as your fresh air observations, I have to say that I think it is just simply heat soak due to the engine layout. The only fix would be to either push the engine forward or perhaps improved insulation for the ducting.

As for the A/C temps, there HAS to be a solution for that - either a bigger or more efficient condenser or something (I don't know, I'm not an A/C systems guy).

93silverFD

Welcome to the world of the rotary..

My 93 does the same thing, great for winter.
Needless to say I dont drive the car much in the summer.
Close the system and crack the windows if your hot.

RAM

I have a co-worker whose wife has a Rx8 and it doesnt reach any where near these temperatures. There has to be something wrong with a controller or valve or whatever controls the air intake/mix to heat the outside air . . . I have driven a rotary since 1988 and this is not "normal" . . . if it runs this hot at 50 degrees outside temperature it will be undriveable when we get to the constant 95 degree temperatures that define Florida for most of the year.