Air con not working

[mowerman]

so do we have any experts out there? Lovely hot day so thought I would use the aircon... guess what?.....no cold air :nenau:nenau.... it was re gassed a little while ago and when I switch it on the compressor is working (it engages and spins up) and the tick over seems to rise and fall every 15 seconds when it is on? Is this normal??? I tested the pressure in the system and it is bang on (cant remember the exact figure but is ok, however with a guage on the filler valve the pressure pulses from nothing to ok on my guage approx every 15 seconds) but there is no cold air...so..... anyone with an idea what it could be stopping the cold.. aircon is a mystery to me

 

[Deleted account DD]

first stage is literally a peek under the bonnet. 99% of recharges include a dye so you can see any leaks. You may need a uv type light or it may simply be bright green :thumb2

First place to look is the area near te rads towards the front f the vehicle. Theres a couple of points where theres p clips holding it and the pipe corrodes or suffers stress fractures under them. A few other points too but they should show up.

The system can still have pressure but not enough.

 

[lacroupade]

first stage is literally a peek under the bonnet. 99% of recharges include a dye so you can see any leaks. You may need a uv type light or it may simply be bright green :thumb2

First place to look is the area near te rads towards the front f the vehicle. Theres a couple of points where theres p clips holding it and the pipe corrodes or suffers stress fractures under them. A few other points too but they should show up.

The system can still have pressure but not enough.

Or like my MkIV where the condensor was shot

 

[mowerman]

i did notice some red oily liquid on the pipes that run across the front of the front cross member under the radiator but thought it was power steering fluid? Also mine is a mk4 I think (2002)...what is a condensor, what does it do and where do I look??? Can feel a session with the workshop manual coming on :doh

maybe I should just open the windows instead :lol:lol:lol

 

[lacroupade]

i did notice some red oily liquid on the pipes that run across the front of the front cross member under the radiator but thought it was power steering fluid? Also mine is a mk4 I think (2002)...what is a condensor, what does it do and where do I look??? Can feel a session with the workshop manual coming on :doh

maybe I should just open the windows instead :lol:lol:lol

Its a radiator effectively, just like the thing on the back of your fridge.

But it does sound awfully like you've also got a power steering fluid leak there as well.....there is a loop of soft aluminium pipe that runs from the reservoir down to the front crossmember, across it, into a rubber u-bend, then back again.....not really clear why but probably a basic cooling function or something - or a leftover from LHD, who knows. But the pipe corrodes or leaks behind one of the rubber-cushioned mounting clamps and leaks.

Easy to cut out with a hacksaw and replace with hydraulic hose and a couple of jubilee clips. You nneed to do it before it gets worse.....my MkIV had both of these problems.....shite for such a newish truck IMHO.

 

[solarman216]

it has lost its gas, it wont be long before the compressor does not come on due to too low pressure, finding the leak is next to impossible, curing it if you find it even worse, Rick

 

[lacroupade]

it has lost its gas, it wont be long before the compressor does not come on due to too low pressure, finding the leak is next to impossible, curing it if you find it even worse, Rick

Duh @ me...of course compressor is a compressor isn't it :doh

But yes thats what went west on mine....

 

[rustic]

In 16 years, I have never spent a penny on my aircon in the Maverick....


I do wish I had it though....

The wife's Picasso has aircon, and at coming up to 6 years old, I think it could do with a re-gas as it isn't as cold as it used to be.

What is a reasonable time to have a re-gas?
At 2 years old the Citroen dealer was suggesting a re-gas as part of the service....(No chance) and 4 years later it still works.

 

[solarman216]

In 16 years, I have never spent a penny on my aircon in the Maverick....


I do wish I had it though....

The wife's Picasso has aircon, and at coming up to 6 years old, I think it could do with a re-gas as it isn't as cold as it used to be.

What is a reasonable time to have a re-gas?
At 2 years old the Citroen dealer was suggesting a re-gas as part of the service....(No chance) and 4 years later it still works.

you only need a regas if it leaks, if it leaks you need to find the leak, and if it is an oily leak makes it easier to find but lube oil will need topping up as well, not much else to do other than sanitize once a year and ensure the rad at the front is clean, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

Had mine regassed in november but it only lasted about month before all the gas had gone. I really wish I could find a way of tracing the leak on mine too. When mine is working it stays on all year round as it helps to clear the windows too.

Jim

 

[lacroupade]

Had mine regassed in november but it only lasted about month before all the gas had gone. I really wish I could find a way of tracing the leak on mine too. When mine is working it stays on all year round as it helps to clear the windows too.

Jim

well oddly I think the scrubbing function still works - even when my condensor was bolloxd my screen still cleared rapidly as usual.

 

[Deleted account DD]

it has lost its gas, it wont be long before the compressor does not come on due to too low pressure, finding the leak is next to impossible, curing it if you find it even worse, Rick

Quite right the compressor wont kick in, that will prevent it self destructing.

However finding the leak is a piece of piss.

Ensure the system is regassed with one containing dye. The stuff i used was bright green. Absolutley unmistakeable and unmissable :thumb2

I experienced what paul described, on my mondeo, the compressor failed. It was nearly new and under warranty so not remotely bothered. That is harder to diagnose but still straightforward. ie no sign of leaks = component failure. If thats the case either take em out for someone to test them or if you have the data and kit start testing :thumb2

Heres a good example of finding the leak (and a typical T2 weak point) This leak was extremely small , the system still showed a good ealthy pressure.

and heres a perfectly healthy acceptable repair which lasted fro the rest of the time I had the car without leakage or problems despite cynicism and negative hypothesis from some quarters :thumb2

Air con is only mysterious and complicated until you put your mind to it. Its no more difficult t get your head around than any other mechanical system :thumb2

 

[spudd]

dont know if mine works.cant hear anything cut in,cant see the fan spinning.get a bit of cool air but i dont think anymore than normal blower.how ya tell its working proper. daft question i know but prob just another fault with my car.

 

[Deleted account DD]

you only need a regas if it leaks, if it leaks you need to find the leak, and if it is an oily leak makes it easier to find but lube oil will need topping up as well, not much else to do other than sanitize once a year and ensure the rad at the front is clean, Rick

Not quite correct. Most systems contain a simple gas oil mix. They are not usually put in separately. Hence the reason (plus of course making money) most places will only remove old and put in new, not just top up and certainly not top up just one element. That ensures the lube is correct in the system as well as the working gas.

The reason the compressor shuts down if the pressure drops is that it has nothing to do but far more importantly on the presumption that as the mix is not getting in it wont get lubed and will self destruct.

If your air con is working below par and not enough oil/gas is circulating or even in there you will also encourage leaks. Seals dry out for one thing.

It is ALWAYS worth checking your system is up to spec.

 

[Deleted account DD]

dont know if mine works.cant hear anything cut in,cant see the fan spinning.get a bit of cool air but i dont think anymore than normal blower.how ya tell its working proper. daft question i know but prob just another fault with my car.

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but I think the T2 is a centrifugal clutch for the air con :nenau if it is you should hear a subtle click or thunk as it comes into play when you select on:thumb2

Testing is dead simple. Run the car with air con off , windows doors closed and heater settings to cold. Leave a thermometer in the car. Let it run without interference fr 10 minutes. Open the door switch the air con to on, close the door and leave it again. When you go back it should feel loads colder. If it doesnt check the thermometer just in case its your perception. If its dropped loads , you may be dead and not feeling the cold! if its just dropped a bit it could be working inefficiently and need topping up. If it hasnt dropped at all........repairs required :thumb2

 

[Deleted account DD]

well oddly I think the scrubbing function still works - even when my condensor was bolloxd my screen still cleared rapidly as usual.

perception perhaps? :naughty elderly eyes need help.

 

[lacroupade]

and heres a perfectly healthy acceptable repair which lasted fro the rest of the time I had the car without leakage or problems despite cynicism and negative hypothesis from some quarters :thumb2

What you mean your 'Plumbersworld' routine? You big girls blouse you! :augie:augie:augie

 

[Deleted account DD]

What you mean your 'Plumbersworld' routine? You big girls blouse you! :augie:augie:augie

That was the tester, Ive still got the swaged hydraulic hose somewhere. Not actually any difference in the permiability of hyd hose vs domestic hose. So long as the pressure rating is within limits.

Used to have the full kit to make them, piece of piss :thumb2

Cracks me up when people go all mysterious and technical over aircon. Its actually very very basic physics that just need explaining clearly. When I was first taught about aircon I just couldnt get it clear in my head . A different tutor gave another thicko and myself a bit of a hand and once the light bulb came on it all became clear.......................almost a religious experience :lol:lol:lol:lol

 

[spudd]

I may be wrong and happy to be corrected but I think the T2 is a centrifugal clutch for the air con :nenau if it is you should hear a subtle click or thunk as it comes into play when you select on:thumb2

Testing is dead simple. Run the car with air con off , windows doors closed and heater settings to cold. Leave a thermometer in the car. Let it run without interference fr 10 minutes. Open the door switch the air con to on, close the door and leave it again. When you go back it should feel loads colder. If it doesnt check the thermometer just in case its your perception. If its dropped loads , you may be dead and not feeling the cold! if its just dropped a bit it could be working inefficiently and need topping up. If it hasnt dropped at all........repairs required :thumb2

lol. cheers for that will give it a go.

 

[Deleted account DD]

lol. cheers for that will give it a go.

just realised i wasnt that clear on the last bit sorry :doh:doh getting knackered now. long day.

as prev but check thermometer before you switch air con on.

when youve had the air con on best test is if you feel its loads colder in there, if not refer to the thermometer in case you just cant feel it or its only a small drop in temp :thumb2

no drop = not working
small drop = not working well
mega drop = noting to worry about