simbayoung
Member Since: 22 Apr 2009
Location: Pottsville
Posts: 14
  
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Hello to all D3 drivers. Have a 2008 TDV6 D3 with rear aircon which has been diagnosed with low refrigerant by local aircon man. He put UV dye and refrigerant in , but could not find any leak under UV light. He did not want to take the job on , espousing body off and too difficult a repair.
I have looked myself with UV light and have yet to diagnose the problem. Since then my aircon is working but barely. Could I respectfully ask that no -one suggest blanking off rear aircon as this option is not on my agenda. My thoughts on fixing the problem:
1) have system regassed with refrigerant to aid diagnosis
2) go over all visible pipes with UV light
3) use refrigerant sniffer device to put up front & rear condensor drain pipes looking for errant leaks
4) At least replace O-rings on pipe unions if no detectable leak found
Question- if the refrigerant is evacuated , does this render the car undriveable? The compressor is on fulltime -I imagine it would sieze without refrigerant in system. As it is SWMBO's car it would be good if I did not need to put it out of action whilst I worked on it. Otherwise there will be a great gnashing of teeth in my household.
Many Thanks,
Ian (Simbayoung)
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 6th May 2020 4:33 am |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
 
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Get the system filled with oxygen free nitrogen to a good pressure and go round all the pipes with soapy water
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| 6th May 2020 5:15 am |
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Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 06 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4197
 
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The leak will be at the rear just in front of the rear wheels...the pipe corrodes just where it clips to the body....clearly water sits there and corrodes or galvanic reaction takes place...
Mine did it there... an aftermarket air con specialist can replace a section of pipe there...I have heard some using plastic pipe....
I went for the bypass.... it’s easier, cheaper and the car cools down inside just as well! The only difference is the rear passengers don’t have their own controls.... ( which frankly I don’t care about!)
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| 6th May 2020 6:45 am |
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JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
 
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aja4x4 wrote:Get the system filled with oxygen free nitrogen to a good pressure and go round all the pipes with soapy water
I would have thought/hoped that the "air man" he took it to would have done that before adding refrigerant gas.
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| 6th May 2020 9:17 am |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
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They should have done if they suspect a leak or the pressure is very low, but we all know they just do a very quick vacuum test and then refill the system.
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| 6th May 2020 12:27 pm |
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