Air Conditioning question

[mr tickle]

I bought my car knowing the air con system was faulty (Back in October it didn't seem like a problem as winter was approaching)

In the service history I can see a recent bill for a regass. I'm guessing that there is a leak somewhere.

Before I go and have a diagnosis, are there any usual places to look for first?

 

[geoffdown]

I bought my car knowing the air con system was faulty (Back in October it didn't seem like a problem as winter was approaching)

In the service history I can see a recent bill for a regass. I'm guessing that there is a leak somewhere.

Before I go and have a diagnosis, are there any usual places to look for first?

The condensor or the pipe that runs along the top of the condensor.

 

[clivvy]

the connection pipe near the top of the rad, passenger side. WIll probably have some cover on the pipe-the join leaks there....

 

[Kamsin]

:lol

I bought my car knowing the air con system was faulty (Back in October it didn't seem like a problem as winter was approaching)

In the service history I can see a recent bill for a regass. I'm guessing that there is a leak somewhere.

Before I go and have a diagnosis, are there any usual places to look for first?

Oh mines the same as this......Have you checked to see if it has any gass in it ? If its not then it could be a leak. Is yours like mine though, when you turn the aircon on nothing happens, if i go look at the fan on the front rad (Aircon rad) its not moving. i have taken it off and tested it and it works.

if it is just a leak then taking it to be re-gassed will be ok as they will presur test the system and tell you. it will also be blue around it too :lol.

I have a feeling that to the drivers side of the radiator the part of the controls for the aircon that need to have liquid in to complete the circute for the fan to work. But im guessing.

PS my last aircon sticker was for 2008, i got it in 2010.

 

[jims-terrano]

Beaware that the AC Fan on the front of the condensor behind the grill does not allways run. It only really runs when it's a hot day as the normal air flow from the car moving is enough to cool the condensor.

There is an AC pipe that goes through a bracket on the slam panel and for reason it's a weak point.

Mines the same and I really miss the AC as it also helps stop the car steaming up too. Would love to fix mine but funds just wont allow.

Jim

 

[mr tickle]

Thanks for the replies. I'll start having a look at these areas.

I'm also skint having just puchased a house, however this is the wifes car and she will only complain when it gets too hot in summer, and it takes us all to France for our summer holidays where it is usually roasting 35-40 c

 

[bobhope]

when i first got mine 18 months ago , switched the air con on and nothing , had the air con re gassed at halfords.
once done the green light on the switch illuminates and the revs increase, when on like it should . lasted all this time now just blows air not cooled. so must be due again , cant see any leaks anywhere , i know they did use some dye to show up any .

wouldn't use halfords again though just seem to rush the job

 

[Kamsin]

when i first got mine 18 months ago , switched the air con on and nothing , had the air con re gassed at halfords.
once done the green light on the switch illuminates and the revs increase, when on like it should . lasted all this time now just blows air not cooled. so must be due again , cant see any leaks anywhere , i know they did use some dye to show up any .

wouldn't use halfords again though just seem to rush the job

If you take the cap off where they fill it, it looks like a tyer inflator valve, just press it in, if anything comes out it's, ok if not it needs re-gasing. (So i was told)
How often should they be re-gased?

 

[mowerman]

Had mine re-gassed last summer and it was great for about 2 months and then the condenser/cooler thingy in the front (radiator in front of the radiator) sprung a leak and lots of green goo leaked out ... never been able to find the spare £100 for a new one then theres the cost of more gas.... ah well only miss it on nice hot days

 

[reetp]

Had my 95 regassed when I bought it before I brought it to Spain - bit of a necessity here in summer.

My brother in law is a mechanic and did it. They can use gas with a UV dye so you can find a leak with a UV lamp.

Mine had gone in two places so needed two pipes, one of which was where it passes through the panel, and someplace else I can't remember but both close together.

Both were quite well hidden by the black foam which you had to strip back to discover the leak.

Can probably do a photo & point it out if need be.

HTH

 

[solarman216]

How often should they be re-gased?

never unless you have a leak, most likely place is the ali pipes where they pass from engine bay to air con rad, they corrode in the rubber clamps by the engine rad, Rick

 

[Kamsin]

We live in England though, im not going to get mine working for the odd day of sunshine, its got a sunroof, that will do. When i get round to it i will remover it all so i can fit a winch bumper and put a kenlow fan on the rad.

 

[Timbo_1975]

never unless you have a leak, most likely place is the ali pipes where they pass from engine bay to air con rad, they corrode in the rubber clamps by the engine rad, Rick

Indeed. The best thing you can do is remove the metal clip and rubber covering underneath it and use a cable tie etc to restrain the pipe instead.

Likewise the 3 rubber covers on the pipe that cross the top of the condensor need to come off too. Use a sharp stanley knife and carefully slice them without marking the soft ally pipe underneath.

You will probably find a white powdery corrosion under them which needs cleaning off.

I then used some body wax to 'add protection'. (oo-er)

 

[micktheshed]

We live in England though, im not going to get mine working for the odd day of sunshine, its got a sunroof, that will do. When i get round to it i will remover it all so i can fit a winch bumper and put a kenlow fan on the rad.

My attitude exactly, can't stand gimmicks anyway (LOL). I have got round to fitting a Kenlow but since the viscous fan was U/S that proved to be the cheapest way out.