D1 or D2 Air conditioning

[Roverclassix]

I own a 98 discovery 7 seater with rear AC which I love. I had the AC system checked and charged and as far as I know, it's operating at it's full potential, which is to say not great. Summers in DC are sweltering. Does anyone live in swamp like temperatures and is happy with their Disco 1 AC? Is the Disco 2 much better? How can one improve the AC in a Disco 1?

 

[jymmiejamz]

I grew up in Richmond, Va and never had much issue with the HVAC in my D2s. I don't recall the D1 being much worse, and I've never had one with rear ac.

 

[jprover2]

Living in Birmingham, Al my D2's A/C has been enough for all year, but July-Sept the system has to work a little longer to cool the vehicle with our heat and been this way since new. During those hot months I try not to park in direct sunlight.

 

[discostew]

Maybe there's something wrong with your system. Make sure your electric cooling fan comes on when you run the a/c. Also if you Ave the normal radiator cooling fins rotting away that could make it not cool as well.

 

[TopperKenobi]

Living in Birmingham, Al my D2's A/C has been enough for all year, but July-Sept the system has to work a little longer to cool the vehicle with our heat and been this way since new. During those hot months I try not to park in direct sunlight.

Same thing here in Jackson, MS. I have an SE7 with AC in the back. It takes longer in the summer to cool down, but eventually you get cold. I allso park on the shade when I can.

 

[Howski]

The AC in my D2’s would blow super cold but always felt the vents were a bit undersized for hotter climates. Discos are basically a greenhouse so have to think they’re more impacted by sitting out in the sun

 

[simondewing]

Helps to have a light colored vehicle too.
Here in Houston we have 2 D2's one silver one white, white one stays a little cooler but as I tell my wife if we were 1000 miles north and 1000 ft higher it would work fine.
AC systems are all fully charged and working to specification.
Guess those with dark paintwork struggle in the summer, as does my dark colored F250!.

 

[Roverclassix]

The shop put a temperature gauge on the vent and it came out spec, I believe.. so maybe D2 is more robust. any D1 owners to chime in?

 

[4Runner]

My D2 air ( front and rear ) is way better than my D1 (front only. ). The air coming from the D1 vents is ice cold but it’s a loosing battle in the summer heat. My D2 is acceptable but is also silver and not dark green. I would imaging the most D1 ac compressors are getting low on compression by this time. That could be part of it. Are you sure your recirculation door is closing? That helps on really hot days. If the air coming out of your vents is in the 30’s degree range than that’s as good as your going to get without having to worry about freezing up. I always thought about installing a heat barrier on the other side of the headliner but am worried about cooking the paint off the roof.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Another thing to consider if fixing any air leaks you have. You can upgrade to D2 door seals. I would also recommend adding dynamite any time you pull a trim panel.

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

There could be air leaks within the dash also from the duct work... I know of a guy in mobile that had to fix his.

 

[simondewing]

Dynamite might be an extreme solution to a minor problem!

 

[jymmiejamz]

Dynamite might be an extreme solution to a minor problem!

LOL, autocorrect... Dynamat

 

[Roverclassix]

My D2 air ( front and rear ) is way better than my D1 (front only. ). The air coming from the D1 vents is ice cold but it’s a loosing battle in the summer heat. My D2 is acceptable but is also silver and not dark green. I would imaging the most D1 ac compressors are getting low on compression by this time. That could be part of it. Are you sure your recirculation door is closing? That helps on really hot days. If the air coming out of your vents is in the 30’s degree range than that’s as good as your going to get without having to worry about freezing up. I always thought about installing a heat barrier on the other side of the headliner but am worried about cooking the paint off the roof.

30's?? What is spec for D1 to come out of vents?

 

[4Runner]

Honestly, I don’t know. I have always watched the gauges and the temp coming out of the vent. I slowly add Freon until the temp and the pressure start to rise. Then you have just passed the sweet spot. Back off a little and call it good. This is old school and only works on a system that is functioning properly and just needs a bit of topping off. 38 degrees system on high, non recirculating front doors open. Probably warm but not hot out. Even with that , it’s not super chill on a hot summer day It’s ok for the front passengers but much warmer for the second row seating.

 

[simondewing]

To do it properly you need to completely evacuate the system then add a measured amount of Freon as per spec.
Not difficult if you have the tools; certification needed to purchase and properly dispose of Freon but there are online courses you can take.

 

[Gordo]

I find my rear ac 1996 D1 works better if I let the front cool down and then turn on the rear. Otherwise it takes a while to cool down. I followed the procedure in the manual for charging. I think I charged at a higher rpm. Works best without the rear ac on though at least up front!

 

[Davsam28]

LOL, autocorrect... Dynamat

Ha!!!

 

[DIY Disco Guy]

My Rear AC doesn’t cool at all, and i’m new to the Disco2 world. I don’t even know where to start to fix it. I’m not even sure it turns on when I turn on the AC

 

[salvvia]

Check 134a level
Possible pressure switch bad
Dash control could be bad probably cheapest
Compressor could be weak .
Or the gremlins could be in there messing with you its a common thing with D2s do a search no doubt somebody has some testing methods laid out