A/C Problem

djohnson1967 · 08-04-2010, 12:47 PM

Oh, I have no problem "manning up" if I caused the issue. I have worked with dealers for many years and they are the ones who won't man up, I am afraid. If you read my post, I am saying I don't have the problem that some people have caused (over time) with their Stillen CAI. If I had that problem the air would never work properly (leak causing loss of coolant). Plus, I am pretty sure this happened before the install, but I am not 100% sure. I didn't take notes. But I KNOW the dealer will look at a moded car and say "not our problem", whether it is or not. That is the frustration. So the point of post is to ask two questions: Has anyone else had the intermittment AC problem that I describe? And has anyone had problems from their Nissan dealer not standing behind a warranty problem because they of a modification that didn't cause the problem.

SoCal 370Z · 08-04-2010, 12:52 PM

Look for a "mod friendly" dealer in your area, like Fontana Nissan is here in SoCal.

Trips · 08-04-2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

If you caused the problem from a faulty install, why would you think this would be a warranty item? It's not a manufacturing defect after all. If this is indeed the issue it will be evident that there was a rub issue caused by something that did not come on the car. You can try to scam them, but it will be just that. Man up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Look for a "mod friendly" dealer in your area, like Fontana Nissan is here in SoCal.

Modshack · 08-04-2010, 08:13 PM

If the problem was not caused by the Stillen Install, a dealer should have no problem making this right. You may be over or undercharged resulting in things kicking off. This can sometimes happen when there is a faulty pressure switch and/or the system is overcharged (it happens). Good luck, but look at that install to be sure that is not the issue..

djohnson1967 · 08-05-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

If the problem was not caused by the Stillen Install, a dealer should have no problem making this right. You may be over or undercharged resulting in things kicking off. This can sometimes happen when there is a faulty pressure switch and/or the system is overcharged (it happens). Good luck, but look at that install to be sure that is not the issue..

Thanks, man. Again, if I broke something, poor me I will pay to have it fixed. But I still don't want to give the dealer a chance to blame me if it is not really my fault. So, as I said above, I am going to take the Stillen units off and re-evaluate. I may check the AC charge too before taking it to the dealer. I did some more driving today and it DEFINITELY is a heat issue. Car hot from running previously (ignition turned off and then turned back on): AC compressor goes crazy. Car cool (relative term here in AZ): AC blows so much cold air I have to turn it down. Can you think of ANYTHING that would cause a temperature related failure like that?

Last thing I noticed: When the AC is in AUTO mode I can't switch between "recirculated" and "fresh" air. Is that normal? Before I noticed this problem, I thought I recall being able to manually select that and still keep the AC in AUTO mode.

sonic370 · 08-04-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohnson1967

Oh, I have no problem "manning up" if I caused the issue. I have worked with dealers for many years and they are the ones who won't man up, I am afraid. If you read my post, I am saying I don't have the problem that some people have caused (over time) with their Stillen CAI. If I had that problem the air would never work properly (leak causing loss of coolant). Plus, I am pretty sure this happened before the install, but I am not 100% sure. I didn't take notes. But I KNOW the dealer will look at a moded car and say "not our problem", whether it is or not. That is the frustration. So the point of post is to ask two questions: Has anyone else had the intermittment AC problem that I describe? And has anyone had problems from their Nissan dealer not standing behind a warranty problem because they of a modification that didn't cause the problem.

First question no
Second question no
Take the chance take it in.You might get lucky.Looking back do you regret
installing the stillen?

djohnson1967 · 08-05-2010, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic370

First question no
Second question no
Take the chance take it in.You might get lucky.Looking back do you regret
installing the stillen?

Good question. The short answer is that I am not sure yet. When the car is cool I believe this CAI system works OK. It seems more responsive at the throttle, especially in first and second gear. Again, when the car heats up (and we all know these cars heat up a lot), the decline in performance is noticeable. Maybe I am being hypersensitive because this is still a fairly new install (about two weeks). But, my theory is that the design of the Stillen unit is not that great. First the intake tubes are metal. They look great, but when I was trying to diagnosis the AC problem I lifted the hood and these tubes get too hot to touch (remember I am in Tucson, so that does't help). That CAN'T be a good thing for a "cold" air intake. Plus, before installing I thought the filters would have a more unobstructed "view" of the outside world through the grill and be able to suck in plenty of air. These intakes instead are nestled up inside the fascia and the foam bumper "seals" off air flow from the grill. Frankly, I am not sure where the air comes from that they are supposed to suck in. So, between the high temperatures on the tubes and obstructed air flow, I am not so sure this is better than stock.

I think what I will do is play it safe and take the Stillen unit off and reinstall the stock intakes. That will allow me to do several things: See if that cures the AC problem. Do a better job of an A/B comparison between Stillen and stock in all driving environments. And, I will be able to take a less modified car back to the dealer.

sonic370 · 08-05-2010, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohnson1967

Good question. The short answer is that I am not sure yet. When the car is cool I believe this CAI system works OK. It seems more responsive at the throttle, especially in first and second gear. Again, when the car heats up (and we all know these cars heat up a lot), the decline in performance is noticeable. Maybe I am being hypersensitive because this is still a fairly new install (about two weeks). But, my theory is that the design of the Stillen unit is not that great. First the intake tubes are metal. They look great, but when I was trying to diagnosis the AC problem I lifted the hood and these tubes get too hot to touch (remember I am in Tucson, so that does't help). That CAN'T be a good thing for a "cold" air intake. Plus, before installing I thought the filters would have a more unobstructed "view" of the outside world through the grill and be able to suck in plenty of air. These intakes instead are nestled up inside the fascia and the foam bumper "seals" off air flow from the grill. Frankly, I am not sure where the air comes from that they are supposed to suck in. So, between the high temperatures on the tubes and obstructed air flow, I am not so sure this is better than stock.

I think what I will do is play it safe and take the Stillen unit off and reinstall the stock intakes. That will allow me to do several things: See if that cures the AC problem. Do a better job of an A/B comparison between Stillen and stock in all driving environments. And, I will be able to take a less modified car back to the dealer.

I think that's a good choice. I know you hate to,sometimes you have to lose money to make it. just sell the stillen on ebay,sounds like there not helping your car or peace of mind.

08-04-2010, 12:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 35	Look for a "mod friendly" dealer in your area, like Fontana Nissan is here in SoCal. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

08-04-2010, 08:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 978	If the problem was not caused by the Stillen Install, a dealer should have no problem making this right. You may be over or undercharged resulting in things kicking off. This can sometimes happen when there is a faulty pressure switch and/or the system is overcharged (it happens). Good luck, but look at that install to be sure that is not the issue.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

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08-04-2010, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
djohnson1967 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 21 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 17	Oh, I have no problem "manning up" if I caused the issue. I have worked with dealers for many years and they are the ones who won't man up, I am afraid. If you read my post, I am saying I don't have the problem that some people have caused (over time) with their Stillen CAI. If I had that problem the air would never work properly (leak causing loss of coolant). Plus, I am pretty sure this happened before the install, but I am not 100% sure. I didn't take notes. But I KNOW the dealer will look at a moded car and say "not our problem", whether it is or not. That is the frustration. So the point of post is to ask two questions: Has anyone else had the intermittment AC problem that I describe? And has anyone had problems from their Nissan dealer not standing behind a warranty problem because they of a modification that didn't cause the problem.