[ghpk]

I think I20 would have worst performance in my city,
We had 44°C yesterday which broke last 10 yrs summer temp. records.

However i am cool with Santro A.C. even in this hot summer.

[AbhiJ]

All right people... I have data!!

Borrowed a temperature meter from the factory today...

Grille Temp Test:

Temperature outside was 36 degree C.



I put the sensor into the middle blower (driver's side), put the blower on Min, and the temp at Low.

Minimum Reading : 6.8 Degree C

Avg reading: Fluctuating between 7 to 7.5 Degree C


Rear Seat Temperature Test:

I placed the sensor upright on the rear seat (Behind the driver). Temperature outside the car: 36 Degree C



Initial Temp in the rear (Before A/C was put on) : 34 Degree C
The A/C was turned on @Auto mode, 20 degree C
After 4 mins: 24.1 Degree C
After 6 Mins: 22.5 Degree C
After 8 Mins :22.0 Degree C
After 10 Mins : 21.7 Degree C

P.s. Sorry for the horrible photo quality

My take:

I personally think the compressor is strong enough on the i20, atleast on the CRDi. Hyundai have messed up majorly on the blower/vent design and effectiveness... The temperature drop in rear seems to be sufficient, but the blowers air doesnt reach at the back at all. Hence the rear passengers feel hot..

Gurus, comment...

[ghpk]

The front temps are impressive but its of the Air coming from A.C.Vent.
so if over-all volume of passenger cabin is larger than what the A.C. is supposed to cool, then the chilled air would just get mixed with hot air and loose its efficiency.

Anyway Nice Gizmo.
I wanted to have a Temp. Meter on my car, even ordered one at Ebay.com but its 3+ months and it has not reached me, May be lost/stolen in transit.

[extreme_torque]

@abhij... As far as I am concerned, the inside grill temperature of 6.8 degress isnt good enough. Its just about adequate. With an ambient temperature of 40 degree + the A/C efficiency will come down even more at the back seat.

[AbhiJ]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

@abhij... As far as I am concerned, the inside grill temperature of 6.8 degress isnt good enough. Its just about adequate. With an ambient temperature of 40 degree + the A/C efficiency will come down even more at the back seat.

Agreed...

We need parallel data from another premium hatch/sedan to actually make any head or tail of the temperature...

p.s. Does anybody know what Hyundai / Other manufacturers consider normal grill temp??

If the grill temp of 6.8 degree is too much, then does that mean the compressor is malfunctioning / of bad design / too small - Also, what are the possible remidies if any?

[Zen2001]

Originally Posted by AbhiJ

Agreed...

We need parallel data from another premium hatch/sedan to actually make any head or tail of the temperature...

p.s. Does anybody know what Hyundai / Other manufacturers consider normal grill temp??

If the grill temp of 6.8 degree is too much, then does that mean the compressor is malfunctioning / of bad design / too small - Also, what are the possible remidies if any?

The min temp reached at the centre outlet in my Zen was 1.8 degrees @ min blower speed. Compressor (thermostat) cut off then. The A/C mechanics consider a temp of 2.5 - 3 degrees to be efficient.

However, that still does not ensure adequate rear seat cooling especially during short drives in the city during afternoons!

[merve_extreme]

Originally Posted by AbhiJ

Minimum Reading : 6.8 Degree C

If this temp was recorded while driving the car, then it is a below average figure for a current gen car. The average grill temp for current gen cars is between 3-5 degrees C while driving the car and around 6-8C at standstill.

How many radiator/condensor fans does the I20 have? if only one then it should come on at lower speed as soon as the AC is started, then cycle to and fro to a higher speed as the refrigerant pressure rises. Is this happening ?

[AbhiJ]

Originally Posted by merve_extreme

If this temp was recorded while driving the car, then it is a below average figure for a current gen car.

How many radiator/condensor fans does the I20 have?

The car was definitely moving... Its time to talk to Hyundai..

Dont know about the fans / pressure, how do I find out..

[nitrous]

Lowest Grill temperature on the Safari 2.2 VTT is 5 deg. C.
The compressor cuts off at this temperature.

[merve_extreme]

Originally Posted by AbhiJ

The car was definitely moving... Its time to talk to Hyundai..

Dont know about the fans / pressure, how do I find out..

fan speed you can find out by just standing near the front of the vehicle with the hood open and listening to the fan noise while the AC is switched on. for pressure you will need guages.


the compressor in the i20 , is not powerful enough at 90cc even Alto has a greater than 110cc compresor,and can be one of the reason for the higher grill temp.


if the size of the evaporator core (one that sits before the air con blower) and condensor(one that sits near the radiator) is larger than what is ideal for a 90cc compressor, the temp accross the whole condensor will drop as the pressure of the refrigerant accross the AC system will be not be ideal. The Zen has a 90cc compressor but may have a smaller evaporator/condensor than the i20. Just take the car to a AC specialist and tell him to check the pressure of refrigerant in the AC system, and wether it is ok, don't tell him anything else.

these things are not something that you can fix, it is a compromise that the manufacturer has made to compensate for the small engine in a larger car.

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by AbhiJ

Agreed...

We need parallel data from another premium hatch/sedan to actually make any head or tail of the temperature...

p.s. Does anybody know what Hyundai / Other manufacturers consider normal grill temp??

If the grill temp of 6.8 degree is too much, then does that mean the compressor is malfunctioning / of bad design / too small - Also, what are the possible remidies if any?

1) Considering the outside temperature, the AC is not effective at all. What will happen in temperatures like 40deg C ? The front reading are below average IMHO. The rear passengers will be at discomfort too as the temperature drop is just not sufficient.

2) Vent design. IMHO, the design is very bad. Elsewhere in TBHP I had mentioned about these type of vents being good for wider cars like SUV, but not in small cars or sedans. Here, the rear passengers will not get the throw of cool air and secondly the left hand of driver will be real cold if AC is effective. These designs might look good and attract customers, but they are not practical at all. SUVs have other facilities also for rear passengers like celing mounted vents. But in small cars, these designs are inviting problems.

The vent design/location problem will not affect much if the AC is powerful enough. Baleno has not so well placed vents, but rear passengers do not suffer. In baleno the central console is a bit angles towards the driver's side, again the left hand of driver gets too cold, but rear passengers do not suffer as they AC is strong enough.

About the grille temperature reading, IIRC, OD had earlier tested the AC systems and found out that Baleno grille temperature was 3 deg C. The test was conducted in hot conditions, mostly in Rajasthan.

3) The compressor size is the main matter here. I know that there are multiple parameters that can lead to lower cooling, but this ineffective AC problem is more seen in 1.2. Hyundai made compromise here as the engine is not powerful enough for the car.

[agm]

Originally Posted by AbhiJ

All right people... I have data!!

Borrowed a temperature meter from the factory today...

Grille Temp Test:

Temperature outside was 36 degree C.

Attachment 329367

I put the sensor into the middle blower (driver's side), put the blower on Min, and the temp at Low.

Minimum Reading : 6.8 Degree C
Attachment 329368
Avg reading: Fluctuating between 7 to 7.5 Degree C
Attachment 329366

Rear Seat Temperature Test:

I placed the sensor upright on the rear seat (Behind the driver). Temperature outside the car: 36 Degree C

Attachment 329369

Initial Temp in the rear (Before A/C was put on) : 34 Degree C
The A/C was turned on @Auto mode, 20 degree C
After 4 mins: 24.1 Degree C
After 6 Mins: 22.5 Degree C
After 8 Mins :22.0 Degree C
After 10 Mins : 21.7 Degree C

P.s. Sorry for the horrible photo quality

My take:

I personally think the compressor is strong enough on the i20, atleast on the CRDi. Hyundai have messed up majorly on the blower/vent design and effectiveness... The temperature drop in rear seems to be sufficient, but the blowers air doesnt reach at the back at all. Hence the rear passengers feel hot..

Gurus, comment...

Ok so what i said and felt stand correct , 6.8 is below average for sure .Checked with my Swift and it is around 4.7 which is almost 2*c less than that of i20 . Where as Punto's was 3.8 .

Hyundai i guess have goofed up big time with the ac of i20,comeon hyundai this is your premium hatch ,offer a better ac

Originally Posted by GTO

At the end of the day, it's a 1.2 liter, with a weak bottom end, in a decidedly heavy car. Hyundai can't really install a large capacity compressor onto it. It would totally kill the driveability (not a strong point to start with). With 3 passengers onboard, the i20s 1.2 engine anyways feels flat.

I think this is something that i20 owners are just going to have to live with (unfortunately). High quality sunfilm anyone?

GTO , the i20 i drove had dark sunfilm and that surprised me even more ,with that dark sunfilm ac was not working at all when the outside temp was 38*c (now 43*c) that to at the front,wonder what will happen later especially to the people sitting in the back seat?

Edit - I am surprised to see people having i20 CRDI , facing the same issue with the ac, i thought its just the 1.2 kappa which has a ordinary ac.

[extreme_torque]

I told this a year ago when I test drove the i20 that the A/c is not at all effective. A shame considering the car is very competitive overall.

[AbhiJ]

Hyundai should have atleast had the good sense to upgrade the A/C Compressor for the 1.4 Ltr Engines, both Diesel and Petrol.

Those engines could have easily handled the extra load. Cost cutting at a VERY wrong place..

I have already shot an email to Hyundai, and am planning to take the car to an independant garage in the coming week for a gas level checkup.

[wildon]

Originally Posted by agm

GTO , the i20 i drove had dark sunfilm and that surprised me even more ,with that dark sunfilm ac was not working at all when the outside temp was 38*c (now 43*c) that to at the front,wonder what will happen later especially to the people sitting in the back seat?

After i installed the 3M film (Sides and Rear) i'm feeling comfortable. I can feel the cool air at the back too although i20 A/C is taking time (10-15 min) to cool the cabin.