Member Since: 06 Oct 2011
Location: Pangbourne
Posts: 61
Air Con/Climate Control
The climate control on my 09 plate Disco 3 HSE (owned from new) was blowing out hot air so I booked a mobile air con guy (great reviews) to check system. He checked pressure, no gas left but not bad after 11 years, carried out leak test and refilled system. Great, cold air and this was about 2 weeks ago......!
Took out Disco today and its back to blowing out hot air again. Not sure where to start because I'm fairly technically able but I'm definitely not an air con expert. Fuse, sensors, failed compressor or what? Anybody give me tips where to start?
Pete
PS. Car only has front air con
20th Aug 2020 7:35 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4869
Sounds like a gas leak, if you have a diagnostic tool such as IID you can confirm it easily.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
20th Aug 2020 7:39 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10485
Probably leaked again.
If you have an iid you can read the pressure. Should be over 100 psi
Otherwise inspect components (front rad) for oil substance or yellow green liquid
20th Aug 2020 7:40 pm
ofob69
Member Since: 06 Oct 2011
Location: Pangbourne
Posts: 61
Thanks guys, problem is system was pressure leak tested before being refilled and I watched him do it.
Will be getting him back to re-check system.
Was planning to buy ICARSOFT CR PRO, which I think does air con, will check.
Looks like I'm going to have to work through system
20th Aug 2020 10:25 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10485
the leak test only means there isn't a massive whole in the system
There could be a small leak
20th Aug 2020 10:36 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4869
And the test ^^^ ( a vacuum in this case) needs to be applied over a period of time. If for example the test you witnessed saw a vacuum applied for 10 minutes, this would not be long enough to detect a leak which would appear to have taken two weeks to deplete as a gas under pressure!
Such a minuscule leak would need a test to be done over a much longer period in order to register any meaningful result. Usually in these cases it's the condenser that has sprung a leak, and usually at the bottom where road debris collects and eventually rots through the bottom tube, but it could of course be anywhere.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
20th Aug 2020 11:16 pm
MorganD379
Member Since: 29 Sep 2016
Location: SA62 3PP
Posts: 425
+1 for the condenser, just changed mine I thought it was just a re-gas as had not noticed any major leaks... Really need the dye and uv light to find the issue
21st Aug 2020 3:36 am
ofob69
Member Since: 06 Oct 2011
Location: Pangbourne
Posts: 61
It looks like this is going to be another one of those Disco 3 sagas. Everything I touch on the car seems never to be straightforward.
I decided to get someone to pressure test and regas the system rather than buy one of these Halfords kits but on reflection, that was a complete waste of money, might just as well have done it myself.
So when he did the leak test, he did say the condenser was a weak spot and while he was there I did vacuum out the crud from the bottom of the condenser but to be fair it wasn't too bad but I'm now thinking that it may be the condenser has now sprung a leak.
21st Aug 2020 7:37 am
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2486
I too am in a similar position, held a vacuum and was refilled but then lost it within a week.
Having had a new pump 12 months ago and a condenser a few years ago I suspected pipes. Going over them with a UV light I have been unable to find the UV dye in any of the usual and obvious points. The trouble is much of the pipe work is covered in foam. I suspect my next attempt is to find some with one of the nitrogen sniffer systems. If anyone recommends someone in W Hampshire that would be appreciated.
Mine has rear aircon so there is a whole lot more places for it to leak.
21st Aug 2020 7:48 am
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2462
The rear usually leaks from behind the air compressor back. Front systems hardly ever leak apart from condensors.
But check around the aircon compressor, if you have had a new one fitted they may have pinched an o ring when fitting the pipes.
21st Aug 2020 7:54 am
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2486
True enough on checking the compressor, the one place I haven't been able to shine my low powered UV light yet 👍
Last edited by JDB on 21st Aug 2020 8:59 am. Edited 1 time in total
21st Aug 2020 8:50 am
life - live it
Member Since: 14 Apr 2017
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1022
Following, as mine has the same issue
21st Aug 2020 8:57 am
ofob69
Member Since: 06 Oct 2011
Location: Pangbourne
Posts: 61
Hey JDP if you find anyone in West Hampshire that will do for me, I'm in West Berkshire
21st Aug 2020 9:00 am
ofob69
Member Since: 06 Oct 2011
Location: Pangbourne
Posts: 61
So, first hit. Took off front grill and there is a damp triangle on the bottom of the condenser, offside. Looks like this might be the problem. What really p!sses me off is that this wasn't spotted when the leak test was done.
As I said with the Disco, you try and do a job properly and you still find you have to do it again.
I do like the car but if I didn't do the work myself I would be bankrupt by now and every job I find I am doing twice......
Sorry, had my rant
21st Aug 2020 10:45 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10485
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and I watched him do it.
