Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[terry paget]

2006 Astra 1.6 petrol manual
I am replacing the hose from water pump to radiator and header tank. Access to the radiator connection is poor. Is there any reason why I should not saw out the aircon hose?

[biggriffin]

Because when it gets bloody warm, you'll be moaning for not having air-con.

[Nick W]

There must be a better way of doing it.

[terry paget]

There must be a better way of doing it.

There must be. I can see the clip from below, but it's a spring clip and the ends are inaccessible. I thought I might angle grind it off, but space again is the problem. I could remove the front bumper I suppose.

[Doctor Gollum]

There must be a better way of doing it.

There must be. I can see the clip from below, but it's a spring clip and the ends are inaccessible. I thought I might angle grind it off, but space again is the problem. I could remove the front bumper I suppose.

Front bumper practically falls off the newer cars

Also, if it's anything like the Vectra C, you undo two bolts beneath the radiator and drop it down before disconnecting it

[dave the builder]

Have you got a dremel or die grinder Terry 
that you could cut the hose clamp with ? replace it with a jubilee clip after

I've ripped all the AC out of an astra G before but these newer Can-bus astra H cars are not happy when you remove sensors 

[Nick W]

There must be a better way of doing it.

There must be. I can see the clip from below, but it's a spring clip and the ends are inaccessible. I thought I might angle grind it off, but space again is the problem. I could remove the front bumper I suppose.

You need one of THESE although other suppliers have them. Access problem solved. A SET is even better if you're going to working on vehicles afflicted with spring clamps.


You know I replace the bloody things with proper worm-drive clamps, but if you do that you also want the long flexible driver meant for such things; Halfords sell those, complete with an interchangeable socket so you can use it on both 6 and 7mm hex fittings.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Spring clips are the work of the devil. 

[biggriffin]

Why not just fix it, I know it might involve new parts, but I know what I would do.

[terry paget]

There must be a better way of doing it.

There must be. I can see the clip from below, but it's a spring clip and the ends are inaccessible. I thought I might angle grind it off, but space again is the problem. I could remove the front bumper I suppose.

You need one of THESE although other suppliers have them. Access problem solved. A SET is even better if you're going to working on vehicles afflicted with spring clamps.


You know I replace the bloody things with proper worm-drive clamps, but if you do that you also want the long flexible driver meant for such things; Halfords sell those, complete with an interchangeable socket so you can use it on both 6 and 7mm hex fittings.

Why didn't I think of that? I found my cable operated hose clip tool, and it worked a treat. I also had a flexible jubilee clip tool. Job is now done, and car returned to Ben, who is taking it on holiday next weekend. Thanks to all for advice.
Another job jobbed.

[dave the builder]

"OK , that's fixed , on to the next one " 
well done Terry 

[Marks DTM Calib]

For info, a common aircon failure on these is a thermal fuse in the compressor clutch going open circuit, you can get a kit for about 40-50 quid which allows repair.

Be also careful, as a result of the above the aircon system can still be fully gassed even if it doesn't work!

[Sir Tigger KC]

For info, a common aircon failure on these is a thermal fuse in the compressor clutch going open circuit, you can get a kit for about 40-50 quid which allows repair.

Be also careful, as a result of the above the aircon system can still be fully gassed even if it doesn't work!

What is an average cars air con system pressure Mark?   

[STEMO]

About 30psi

[STEMO]

That's the first answer I found on google.