air con

[marlin]

i know its the wrong time of year be talking bout air con lol but was just wondering is there any way of checking your air con for leaking without going through the expence of having it regased just se if you got a leak mine was working perfect for the last 3 years but this summer it seemed that it didnt get to cold when switched on so i took it to the garage to have it regased which they did do and it was ice cold again but it only seemed to last a few weeks then back to square one dosent seem to get cold again so was wondering is there any way i can check for leakes my self without having it re gased your comments would be appreciated thanks

 

[lacroupade]

i know its the wrong time of year be talking bout air con lol but was just wondering is there any way of checking your air con for leaking without going through the expence of having it regased just se if you got a leak mine was working perfect for the last 3 years but this summer it seemed that it didnt get to cold when switched on so i took it to the garage to have it regased which they did do and it was ice cold again but it only seemed to last a few weeks then back to square one dosent seem to get cold again so was wondering is there any way i can check for leakes my self without having it re gased your comments would be appreciated thanks

well it IS the right time of year because you should be using it all year round, with or without the heater, because it also dries the air and prevents the windows steaming up, as well as keeping the system seals in good condition.

Not aware of any self-test you can do (Daved might have some insight as he's messed around with it before) but the garage can do a dye leak test without regassing and wasting money.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

didn't quick fit do a cheap air con service?

 

[solarman216]

All I can say is the gas is £20 1000 mg and you need 800 mg in a T2, nitrogen is cheaper to just pressure test it but finding the leaks is not at all easy even with gas sniffers, the best method is ultrasound (can hear a leak) but mega expensive, that is why most motors with air con and a leak stay leaky, cos even if you find it the cure is more expensive, Rick

 

[brynjdavies]

There is a liquid that you can put in when you have it gassed which you can see with a UV light where it leaks. Pumps do leak over time.
Bryn

 

[Timbo_1975]

UV dye perhaps?! lol.. You dont need a uv lamp to see it nowadays its that brightly coloured if you have a reasonable leak.

If re-charging after a replacement part then always use the UV PAG oil. 2 products in one.

Leaks on the compresor shaft are tricky and so are those in the evaporator, but HC sniffers are inexpensive now. Very easy to pinpoint even small leaks with one. Hell, I used to use a piece of pvc tube for leak detection in the gold old days!

 

[badger]

if you have a fast leak, you will see gas freeze on exit from hole!
but if you suspect it will leak, it is ileagle to fill with gas.
but leak will show on vacume check, most modern refil systems will bar you from filling unless sucseful vacdown.
i have seen lots of terranos all with holes in the condensor, all about at same place, common?

quick fit i believe will not charge if they cant refill, or it fails within so many days, wouldnt use them myself, but they may pinpoint issue, most places charge about £50 to regass

 

[jims-terrano]

Had mine regassed at Kwik fit about 6 weeks ago and mine gave up again last week. I could tell it was slowly leaking as it starts to hiss. Would love to find a DIY checker for mine as I really think it needs it to help keep windows clear.

Jim

 

[lacroupade]

Could be condensor knackered....had to have mine done in the summer

 

[jims-terrano]

Condensor being the radiator thing behind the grill with the electric fan infront of it. How much was it?

Jim

 

[lacroupade]

Condensor being the radiator thing behind the grill with the electric fan infront of it. How much was it?

Jim

Can't remember Jim, I just coughed and handed over my plastic LOL ...think it was in three figures with fitting and regassing but not too horrendous I recall

 

[brynjdavies]

There is a liquid that you can put in when you have it gassed which you can see with a UV light where it leaks. Pumps do leak over time.
Bryn

Sorry not a liquid but a gas. Can't see why an evaporator (radiator) would block other than a leak. There is an expansion valve that might be blocked if something has got into the system.
Bryn