Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10732
may this be because?
1) some anti bacteria stuff was sprayed into the intake at the same time as the air con was gassed ?
2) You are now using the fan with windows closed so notice this more ?
If its leaking, the AC will stop working with in a day or 2 of being gassed
Maybe the pollen fitter requires replacement or clean? its in a letter box above the glovebox.
You pull the glovebox hinges to the sides and it folds down
8th Jul 2018 8:59 am
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
Thanks for your ideas:
1) No anti bacteria stuff was sprayed into the intake at the same time as the air con was gassed
2) I used the fan with windows closed before getting the aircon regassed (to test if the aircon was working) and there was no weird smell.
The aircon gas smell has quite a distinctive smell.
Is it possible a very minor leak could take a couple of weeks to leak?
When I first got the car, the aircon worked fine for the first 3 years, with no weird smells and no need for regassing.
I have changed the pollen filter every 12 months while owning the car.
In 2017 the aircon stopped working. When the system was checked in 2017, it contained 0g of gas and 0ml of oil.
When I got the system regassed in 2017, it started working again, but a weird smell was being blown into the interior of the car.
A couple of weeks after getting the system regassed in 2017, the aircon stopped working, AND the weird smell STOPPED at the same time.
When the aircon was checked in 2018, it contained 0g of gas and 0ml of oil.
In 2018 I got the system regassed again, and the aircon is working again for now, but the aircon gas smell is back. I reckon the aircon will stop working again soon. (Like it did in 2017)
I still suspect a leak because of the symptoms above.
The pollen filter was last changed within the last 6 months.
Any other ideas?
Is the evaporator hard to get to?
Thanks
11th Jul 2018 12:52 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10732
maybe a pool of oil near the evaporator ?
If you follow the air con pipes under the bonnet to the bulkhead, you can get an idea of where the evaporator is!
I guess you could collect some water from under the car (comes from evaporator) (above gearbox) into a bottle and then smell it to see if its pure or a similar smell
11th Jul 2018 11:12 am
MatcherMike
Member Since: 15 Sep 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 94
Great thread thanks. Changed mine but managed to snap one of these bolts. Drilled out so can replace, but can anyone tell me the part number please?
Thanks
Mike
29th May 2019 10:05 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14172
Member Since: 14 Mar 2016
Location: Preston
Posts: 828
Alphamale wrote:
Thank goodness the 4.4 V8 condenser is easier to do.
Mine has to go to my local indy next week, he said he might have to take the front off?
Anyone know a V8 guide? I cant find one05 V8 HSE Bonatti Grey
4th Jul 2019 10:14 am
Rewmer
Member Since: 03 Apr 2019
Location: Clacton
Posts: 12
Great guide, thanks for posting up. If I could add my experience.
Earlier in the thread, someone asked if it necessary to remove the crash sensors connectors if not disconnecting the battery - yes would be my reply as the bolts just in front of them gave massive cracks as they let go. I was convinced they had sheared, but it was just the shock. This will get transmitted to the sensors so safe is always better than sorry.
I was surprised by how much leverage I had to give the front panel to lift it off the locators and ease it forward.Ended up using a crowbar and a couple of well place screw drives to hold it in place.
Thanks again for the excellent how to.
18th Jul 2019 8:44 am
Percyprod
Member Since: 17 Jan 2014
Location: LA15 8LZ
Posts: 48
If I change the condenser, can it just be re-gassed, or does anything else need doing, such as adding oil?LR 4 se
Grey
Nice wheels
27th Apr 2020 12:07 pm
davidhem
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
No, it will just need re gassing.David
5th May 2020 4:43 pm
davidhem
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
Big thank you to Disco_Mikey for making me feel like a mechanic, when I really am not.
It took me 3 hours to change, 1.5 hours was taking the middle and lower bolts off very slowly so as not to break any, lots of home brew releasing fluid, very gentle movement on one, then more fluid and move onto the to the next one and kept doing that on rotation until they all came out complete.
The only other thing I found niggly was putting the lower air con pipe bolt back in and tightening it, there was all room.David
5th May 2020 4:48 pm
davidhem
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
Pressure tested at 150 bar for 15 minutes, and then refilled, I have a lovely cold car again.
So expect the weather to go cold soon. David
6th May 2020 5:26 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20853
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
Oh yes, that sounds more like it, thank you so much for the write up, it really was brilliant. David
6th May 2020 5:57 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14172
Many thks for the details
Replaced my condenser and got to refill it
Have the Aircon manifold so thinking of buying a couple of cans , blimey it’s gone up in price
Need 550 G of R134 I think, also see some other type replacement refrigerant
Done a vacuum test and held up ok, there was a hole in the condensor
Thks again
6th May 2020 6:39 pm
Richie63
Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 494
Thanks for the how to Disco_mikey, successfully replaced my condenser today, must admit it’s a bit scary when you lever off the front panel it went with a horrible crack noise 💩😂
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