Member Since: 30 Oct 2013
Location: Sussex
Posts: 102
Air Con Again....Sorry!
I know there are lots of posts about issues with air con but I can't quite find the answers to my questions so sorry, but here is another post.
I have an HSE with rear air con and I know that this can cause all sorts of issues. Last summer I had my car re-gassed a few times, by my Indy, and each time the gas disappeared. Whilst gassed the air con worked well, when being filled the system passed all vacuum checks so I am assuming I have some kind of 'slow' leak. A few seals have been replaced but still we lose the gas.
I guess I have 2 questions; is there anything I can do to try and solve the issue (I am not particularly mechanical)? Secondly, is it worth taking my car to an air con specialist or would it be worth sticking with my Indy (who is very good with mechanical issues)?
Thanks for your help, had a bit of sun on a 90 mile drive today and was sweating, would quite like a cool car!!!!
10th May 2015 8:57 pm
DigitalJunior
Member Since: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 4401
I would take it to an aircon specialist and put a ultraviolet dye through it to identify the leak.
10th May 2015 8:58 pm
Quattrovalvole
Member Since: 30 Oct 2013
Location: Sussex
Posts: 102
I think my Indy said he would do this but I guess I was hoping taking to an air con specialist might save me some time and money in the long run!?!?!
Many people just buy the blanking pipe and make the rear air con redundant as the front air con is more than sufficient.
However a couple of people went to an air con specialist and had their pipes replaced with flexible rubber/plastic pipes which have resolved all issues. I intend on going this route as I believe it to be fairly inexpensive and want to keep the rear air con working. As if I'm lugging an extra 40kg worth of air con stuff I want it working correctly.Ted
D3 HSE | 19" GG AT3 | Mantec Sump Guard | Front Runner Rack | LR ladder | F+R Light Guards | EGR blanked | Decat | RS500 Intercooler | Tuff Trek TT-H1 awning | T Maxx Split Charge | IID Tool | Prospeed rock & tree sliders | V8 Front brakes
10th May 2015 10:44 pm
BBB
Member Since: 01 Apr 2015
Location: Chester
Posts: 269
Don't know if this is common, but if it passes the vac test, could it be possible that the fittings where the machine plugs into leak when there are no hoses on them but pass the vac test when hoses connected.
A bit of soapy water should tell, after this a system service would be cheaper than an indy, i presume.
The fluorescent dye is the way to go.
Trouble is you lose the gas you lose the oil,so best to get done to prevent further damageThere is no I in team, but there are five in Individual Brilliance
Disco gone, emigrated to a VW Amarok
10th May 2015 10:53 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I had the exact same issue passed vac check no probs, but lost pressure after a week or so, so pressurised it with nitrogen and got the soapy water spray out, its was the alloy air con pipe connection under the nearside rear passenger door sill, covered in mud and rotted out, new section of pipe from land rover 160 quid, fitted it myself not hard 1 hours work max, got it gassed and has been fine since, approx 2 months ago.
All pipe and joints now cleaned and covered in liquid aerosol chain grease to hopefully stop anymore issues.
Put suspension into off road mode, slide your head under the passenger side sill and you will see the two alloy pipes, theres actually 4 separate sections, some look a right bitch to change, so I would say air con guy is your best bet every time.
I also agree with the if its there it should work comment.
11th May 2015 5:37 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
BBB wrote:
Don't know if this is common, but if it passes the vac test, could it be possible that the fittings where the machine plugs into leak when there are no hoses on them but pass the vac test when hoses connected.
A bit of soapy water should tell, after this a system service would be cheaper than an indy, i presume.
The fluorescent dye is the way to go.
Trouble is you lose the gas you lose the oil,so best to get done to prevent further damage
You are correct no oil is bad, but no gas means no pressure and if no pressure the air con pump clutch will not engage.
11th May 2015 5:40 am
Beretta
Member Since: 11 Oct 2012
Location: Rochdale
Posts: 1180
Anyone have a part number for the blanking kit?
11th May 2015 7:22 am
Quattrovalvole
Member Since: 30 Oct 2013
Location: Sussex
Posts: 102
Thanks for the comments, I think I would like everything working. Quite interested with the idea of replacing rear pipework with flexible/plastic pipes, any idea how much this might cost focus340?
I have contacted a couple of air con specialists in my area based on the comments so hopefully I can get something sorted. Would quite like a cold car again!
Thanks.
11th May 2015 8:35 am
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
Did my pipes myself also, got the parts from TLO - the job is not as difficult as it first looks, getting the air reservoir off was probably the most awkward part.
That was 4 years ago now, been fine since.
Steve
11th May 2015 9:47 am
Beretta
Member Since: 11 Oct 2012
Location: Rochdale
Posts: 1180
Steve
Did you need any specialist tools to replace the pipes yourself?
How long would you estimate it takes?
Steve
11th May 2015 12:19 pm
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
Hi Steve,
No use of specialist tools - just what I had got in my kit. Took me about 2 hours with plenty of cups of tea
I had to remove the air reservoir, take it easy letting the air out and to prevent the compressor overheating, made sure I recharged it in 'steps'.
Steve
11th May 2015 1:39 pm
Beretta
Member Since: 11 Oct 2012
Location: Rochdale
Posts: 1180
Thanks - I may have to do this job this year as my AC has no gas again and LR told me the front to rear pipes had corroded.
Will see how the service goes first to work out how much money she will demand.
11th May 2015 1:51 pm
MikeO
Member Since: 15 Jan 2014
Location: The Cotswolds
Posts: 1390
"Anyone have a part number for the blanking kit?"
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