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[wheelchairkid]

Hi to all
                On my 1997 Omega Tourer, my air con compressor clutch dont cut in . the light on the air con button comes on ok, is there any way I can check the air con compressor, before paying to have it re-gased, which is no point if my compressor is had it.
                   Yours
                       Jason

[Kevin Wood]

The compressor will not operate unless the gas pressure is over a certain threshold. Unless there is gas in the system the compressor has nothing to pump so the only way to test it is to charge the system. I would get the system vacuumed out, which will highlight if there are any leaks, and then charged. After this pressure readings can be taken which will tell you if the compressor is working.

Kwik Fit may be a good way to do this with nothing to lose because if they don't improve the cooling they refund the money (£44.95). So, if the system has a major problem in theory you shouldn't be out of pocket. However, you will need to be forceful and hold them to this. They tried to pull a fast one on me!

There is a wide variation in attitude between branches too.

Kevin

[jud1255]

im not sure on this , im sure someone will correct me.
but on the americans gm when the gas runs low this stops the pump working so not to ware it out BUT
it also puts the service light on because of low gas pressure.
Is this the same on uk gm's

[Marks DTM Calib]

Get the pressure checked with a set of gauges........before re-gassing it....then take a close look at the bottom of the condenser and see how much is missing.

[markrl]

The compressor will not run if the gas is low as the gas is also mixed with pag oil and this is required for lubrication. Without this damage would be caused. If the system has not been charged for more then 3 years it may simply be low on gas as most a/c systems can loose up to 20% of their charge each year.
If your problem is simply low gas then kwik fit does have a very good price for a recharge. However anything else and they are likely to be clueless. Personally I would pay a bit more and go to a pucca a/c specialist and get the job done right the first time. I recently had this done and it cost me £70 in London for a recharge and a very thorough inspection and vacuum. They did find a problem with one of the auxiliary fans not running which I suspect Kwik fit would probably not have noticed. They also noted evidence of a very slight leak from the compressor main seal but said this was fairly common on Omega's and for the time being not worth replacing as they had removed 700 grams of gas and refilled with 915 grams meaning a loss of 215 grams over the 3 years since last charged (an acceptable loss).  
I honestly think it's worth paying a little more for the specialist experience and if something is wrong they will actually know how to fix it.  

*** Edit as a result of above message they did have a very close look at the bottom of the condensor on my car stating it was very clean and a very common cause of leakage on the Omega's as it starts crumbling and corroding ***

[Kevin Wood]

I honestly think it's worth paying a little more for the specialist experience and if something is wrong they will actually know how to fix it.  

I agree, if you want it fixed and are willing to pay for the repair. The original question was asking how the compressor can be tested and the Kwik Fit option provides a route to do this without paying a lot (or anything. It's free if the system's totally knackered). Granted, you won't be a lot further down the fault diagnosis route in that eventuality but you won't be out of pocket either, so that may as well be the first step followed by taking it to a specialist if a re-gas doesn't help. You may well end up with a working system for £44.95.

There may be some mileage in checking the fuses and relays which drive the air con compressor clutch first but the most likely explanation is that there's not enough gas in the system to allow the clutch to engage.

Kevin

[x25xe]

The compressor will not run if the gas is low as the gas is also mixed with pag oil and this is required for lubrication. Without this damage would be caused. If the system has not been charged for more then 3 years it may simply be low on gas as most a/c systems can loose up to 20% of their charge each year.
If your problem is simply low gas then kwik fit does have a very good price for a recharge. However anything else and they are likely to be clueless. Personally I would pay a bit more and go to a pucca a/c specialist and get the job done right the first time. I recently had this done and it cost me £70 in London for a recharge and a very thorough inspection and vacuum. They did find a problem with one of the auxiliary fans not running which I suspect Kwik fit would probably not have noticed. They also noted evidence of a very slight leak from the compressor main seal but said this was fairly common on Omega's and for the time being not worth replacing as they had removed 700 grams of gas and refilled with 915 grams meaning a loss of 215 grams over the 3 years since last charged (an acceptable loss).  
I honestly think it's worth paying a little more for the specialist experience and if something is wrong they will actually know how to fix it.  

*** Edit as a result of above message they did have a very close look at the bottom of the condensor on my car stating it was very clean and a very common cause of leakage on the Omega's as it starts crumbling and corroding ***

What was the name of the specialist that you went to and where abouts is it in London?  The air con on my Cavalier has stopped working Omega Climate is fine though!) and I want to take it somewhere decent for exactly the reasons you state.

[markrl]

The problem with that route (Kwik Fit) is that if the system has a small leek you'll pay your money for a regas and the system will work for a short time before fading or shutting down with low gas a couple of weeks later. You will then end up having to take it to specialist for repair and pay for another regas after the problem has been fixed. Outside expensive London you'll probably pay only about £55-£60 anyway. You'll also have the reassurance that the system has been properly inspected. The Kwik fit route looks attractive until you think it through.

[markrl]

The firm I used were based in Kent (near Gravesend) but cover SE London. For £70.50 they came to the door, carried out the work and were there for almost an hour. I'm not connected with them in anyway but they did in my opinion provide a good service.

http://www.webvert.co.uk/aircondirect/

[duggs]

BUT....I was told that its illegal for ANYONE to recharge Air Con without first checking that its "air tight" because allowing gas
into the atmosphere is an offence...something to do with global warming and all that...

Is this correct.  ??

[Weds]

The firm I used were based in Kent (near Gravesend) but cover SE London. For £70.50 they came to the door, carried out the work and were there for almost an hour. I'm not connected with them in anyway but they did in my opinion provide a good service.

http://www.webvert.co.uk/aircondirect/

I've had these people out to regas my previous Omega, excellent service, well recommended. Its best to get any re-gassing or servicing done before the summer gets too hot (that's a joke!) as they get very busy.

[Marks DTM Calib]

BUT....I was told that its illegal for ANYONE to recharge Air Con without first checking that its "air tight" because allowing gas
into the atmosphere is an offence...something to do with global warming and all that...

Is this correct.  ??

How do you check its air tight?

You cant simply pump air in as its wet.....the closest you can get is Nitrogen.

Hence, you check with gauges first to see if any pressure remains, if it does then go for a re-fill, if not then look for leaks.

[Matchless]

BUT....I was told that its illegal for ANYONE to recharge Air Con without first checking that its "air tight" because allowing gas
into the atmosphere is an offence...something to do with global warming and all that...

Is this correct.  ??

In the USofA you have to be a licenced operative to work on A/C and many of their systems still use the very damaging R12 refrigerant. (remember that they use much more domestic, commercial and office a/c than we do in addition to vehicles)
The use of R12 was banned in Europe and R134a substituted which is less damaging to the environment (ie it is not without its own risks) but it should not be deliberately vented to atmosphere. If you were to re-charge a leaky system without first checking for pressure-tightness it could be construed as a deliberate act under the Environment Protection Act but I am not aware of any legislation which is specific to a/c.

[Dave-C]

Changed my radiator yesterday, air con didn't work aftewards!!!  Panic set in, the two fans were working, clutch not engaging.... thought I'd popped the condenser, but they go with a fair crack when they discharge their gas...  never heard that happen!  Finally spotted the fault, some fool named Dave C  :-[had left the connector plug off the temp sender at the bottome of the rad...  all sorted now,  Phew! :-/....  maybe worth a check of all the associated plugs etc....

Dave C

[Robin Hood]

What could/should be done to service a compressor - either in situ or a spare off the car?  I am about to replace the condenser and receiver, probably with the following and didn’t want to leave it out.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-B-AIR-CONDITIONING-CONDENSER-RADIATOR_W0QQitemZ150126934501QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10404QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-B-AIR-CONDITIONING-RECEIVER-DRIER_W0QQitemZ150076974313QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10404QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks