Topic: Air Compressor Kaput ??? (Read 1563 times)

duggs · « **on:** 01 July 2010, 14:33:28 »

I've just paid £30.00 for the priviledge of being told by an "air con re-gas" bloke: "Your air con compressor is buggered mate...it ain't kicking in"

I'm a little doubtfull to be honest !

How can I check his conclusion...she certainly isn't blowing cold at all. When ever I hit "auto", the fans come on full and I thought if the bottom right section on the front of the engine spins then its working, which it does. Thats where I believe the compressor is situated.

Any advice on this would be highly appreciated.

tunnie · « **Reply #1 on:** 01 July 2010, 14:44:52 »

Quote

I've just paid £30.00 for the priviledge of being told by an "air con re-gas" bloke: "Your air con compressor is buggered mate...it ain't kicking in"

I'm a little doubtfull to be honest !

How can I check his conclusion...she certainly isn't blowing cold at all. When ever I hit "auto", the fans come on full and I thought if the bottom right section on the front of the engine spins then its working, which it does. Thats where I believe the compressor is situated.

Any advice on this would be highly appreciated.

Errr it won't kick in if gas pressure is too low did he check pressure was right?

Also won't kick in if outside temp is below a certain amount (i forget exactly, 9 degrees or something?) So if you temp sensor is buggered it won't kick in either....

duggs · « **Reply #2 on:** 01 July 2010, 14:55:40 »

Interesting question Tunnie !

He said he re-gassed the system and "the compressor didn't kick in. He also said the air con only works when set to "Lo"...i'm not sure thats true. In any event he said he took the gas back out...still charged a £30.00 diagnostic fee ??

It's blinkin hot over here at the moment so thats not an issue BUT the "temp sensor" is an interesting one.

Is that an easy fix. VX are only a mile away if you think I should get the part and change it myself if I'm able.

tunnie · « **Reply #3 on:** 01 July 2010, 15:07:04 »

i suspect your temp sensor is fine, i cannot remember if its uses standard one from the MID (sensor on bumper)

More than likely he has not put the correct amount of gas in, as it has to be the right amount and all cars differ due to size of A/C system. When i last had mine done, the guy said (i'm just going to 'bang' some gas in there for you mate, then it will be nice and cool)

My response - You will put the right amount in, not just bang some in!

duggs · « **Reply #4 on:** 01 July 2010, 15:13:27 »

OOOOOO...for the £30.00 he charged me I think i'd better pop back and enquire if he topped it right up or just tried a little. Especially as he's now drained the entire system down.

duggs · « **Reply #5 on:** 01 July 2010, 15:29:35 »

okey dokey. I've spoken to them on the phone.
They "say" they filled the system all the way up as directed on the bonnet sticker to 950 grams and the compressor just wasn't kicking in. Incidently, I'm under the impression that on "Auto" the air con is always working to a degree in this weather. When I select "Auto" the fans go pretty mad...can't say the car jumps especially though when auto is selected !

Having told me the compressor was "buggered" they are now saying it might be a "pressure switch", what ever that is.

Is my idea that if the compressor, bottom right of the engine is spinning then the compressor is NOT at fault correct. Could it be a fuse issue ?

I mean the front of the compressor should spin I guess because a belt is spinning her BUT how can I tell if the compressor is doing its job or not ?

tunnie · « **Reply #6 on:** 01 July 2010, 15:32:00 »

A/C system is no fool, if there is not enough, or too much pressure the compressor won't engage and destroy itself!

You could also do a basic check to see if he is telling porkies:

1) start engine, press off on climate

2) then press auto, if you hear a slight click and hear and see the revs rise by 100/200 rpm, then the compressor has engaged

duggs · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 July 2010, 15:38:24 »

This is a double edged sword Tunnie. Now that he's taken all the gas out I assume th compressor won't kick in anyway.

Just tried it though and no ! Revs stay the same and no click. In fairness, before I left her with him, it didn't click then either...but again it wouldn't if she was empty...but the guy said he filled the system and it was no different.

I wonder if there is a "climate control reset" I can carry out ?

tunnie · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:02:08 »

Hang on, so he put the gas in, 'said' it won't work, then taken gas out again? :-?

duggs · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:12:03 »

Absolutely....Thats what he did. Said he could leave the gas in but it was pointless AND he'd then have to charge me £60.00 not the £30.00

Lazydocker · « **Reply #10 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:14:12 »

Who did you go to Duggs?

I used Kesgrave Cars, on the straight into Ipswich (left hand side), the place that sells cars too. Charged me £50 but it was done properly and took the best part of 2 hours

Lazydocker · « **Reply #11 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:15:04 »

Quote

Absolutely....Thats what he did. Said he could leave the gas in but it was pointless AND he'd then have to charge me £60.00 not the £30.00

RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!!!!!!

See my post above

tunnie · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:15:58 »

Quote

Absolutely....Thats what he did. Said he could leave the gas in but it was pointless AND he'd then have to charge me £60.00 not the £30.00

Hummmm! So only his say so that its faulty, and compressors not exactly cheap!

Was the air-con working before? I know some people have bought these air-con cans from Halfrauds, not sure how well they work :-/

Sounds to me like he's taken the gas out to show its not working, and tempt you into handing out mega bucks for aircon in this hot weather as they know people want it working!

duggs · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:27:38 »

Think you may well be right Paul.

Another £30.00 quid up the swanny.

I "used" or rather attempted to use, A. Smith in Woodbridge Road, behind HiQ.

All trust I'm afraid ?

duggs · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 July 2010, 16:28:42 »

Air Con has been working, for sure up to about 3 months ago I guess.

RobG · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 July 2010, 18:59:05 »

Put 12v direct to compressor, if clutch kicks in I would suspect a leak in the system. Only correct way to test for leak is fill the system with a nitrogen /air mix and use a sniffer probe. A job for the experts. As said, 12v direct to comp.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 July 2010, 20:09:18 »

Sounds like this guy's a cretin with no understanding of how air con systems work. Avoid like the plague, IMHO.

If the compressor hasn't "kicked-in" then surely he hasn't had the opportunity to test it?

If he's vac'ed the system out, checked for leaks and refilled, as he's legally supposed to when servicing an air con system, he will know that there is adequate pressure in the system. Next check is for the electrical side of things as there is clearly no supply to the compressor clutch.

Only if he'd got the compressor running would he know if it was working or not.

Sounds like you need to take it to someone who knows what they are doing.

Kevin

Lazydocker · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 July 2010, 20:18:23 »

Glad someone else has said what I hinted at!

As I said Duggs, go to Kesgrave Cars. They aren't the cheapest but they do know what they're doing and were happy enough for me to watch and talk me through it

That's why I know they're doing it right

duggs · « **Reply #18 on:** 01 July 2010, 23:44:30 »

Will do Paul. Spoke to them earlier and they said to bring her in and they'll take a look at her for me.

Will try to get along there tomorrow but saving for a journey across the pond in 6 weeks so money is really tight. NOT helped by throwing away £30.00 to the "experts" up the road...

Entwood · « **Reply #19 on:** 02 July 2010, 00:14:13 »

Unfortunately you have been well and truly "ripped off".

There is an Air Con expert set up in Swindon .. Halls Electrical... doing a diagnostic check ... they connect to the system and check the pressures - Static and running (which I believe is a better check of the compressor) - vent temps, and run a UV light all around....... This is free.

After they've done that, if you want/need a regas, they purge the system and weigh the gas removed, vacuum for 30 minutes (which does a leak check and dries the system) then regas with the correct weight of gas, oil and UV dye...

The first weight check (gas removed) also gives an indication of if the thing leaks....

all for £39.99 and about an hour.....

Well worth it IMHO

Cliffo B · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 July 2010, 01:08:45 »

Be carefull,re my posts end of May,I went for regassing twice,paid twice,and was degassed twice So I then went to a specialist firm who work on HGVs and asked for an air con diagnostic. Finished up needing a replacement pipe that has on it the inlet valve that was knackered, this took 3 weeks to arrive from Germany, to me that was a proper sickener, and today I went to have the pipe fitted and journeyed home with a cold car at a cost of £264.68 so with the £45.00 & £40.00,regassing charges not cheap.I think that when I first had it regassed its possible he damaged the inlet valve,the second firm said there was a blockage in the system.Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I thought the info could help you avoid my problems

dbug · « **Reply #21 on:** 02 July 2010, 02:15:20 »

As RobG says above. Normal failure on a/c compressor is the clutch. Easy to check with or without gas in system. Remove electric plug from compressor and put 12v across compressor terminals. If clutch ok you will hear clutch kick in with a loudish thud

No thud = compressor breaked!!

Darth Loo-knee · « **Reply #22 on:** 02 July 2010, 08:29:30 »

So let me get this right your air con was working until 3 months ago?
When you put the climate on eg 21 on the dash or air con LO nothing happened?
Like already said when the gas pressure drops the pump won't kick in.
So gasman filled it up to 950 grams.
Did when you pressed either the climate or air con on did the revs lift 100 rpm? Could you see the pump spinning? Was it warm, aired or cold?
Perhaps checking the rods in the footwell maybe worth ago as mine was off on the drivers side....

Kaycee · « **Reply #23 on:** 02 July 2010, 08:32:19 »

may be daft answer but you only mentioned the auto switch you have to press the eco switch so eco symbol goes out forgive me as it can be confusing to some of the so called experts like kwick fit i got a similar situation with them saying my system was fubar but he had not pressed the eco switch if i ad been a youbg woman or some one who didnt know i would av forked out for new condensor or wat ever
robert

duggs · « **Reply #24 on:** 02 July 2010, 10:23:20 »

Darth Low Knee.

Your comments are correct sir. Unfortunately I wasn't there after the re-gas. They said once filled, the compressor wouldn't start, no click, no change in revs.

In fairness, now I think about it, I've had neither happen for a while now. Before their did it, recently I'd select auto or low and I still wasn't getting the click or revs change. Assumed gas was getting low or gone so took it to them for a re-gas, from which they've concluded the compressor is flubbered.

Perhaps foolishly I don't use AUTO very often....just change the settings manually as and when I need too.

Heating works a treat by the way, no problem on that front.

tunnie · « **Reply #25 on:** 02 July 2010, 10:37:24 »

Quote

Darth Low Knee.

Your comments are correct sir. Unfortunately I wasn't there after the re-gas. They said once filled, the compressor wouldn't start, no click, no change in revs.

In fairness, now I think about it, I've had neither happen for a while now. Before their did it, recently I'd select auto or low and I still wasn't getting the click or revs change. Assumed gas was getting low or gone so took it to them for a re-gas, from which they've concluded the compressor is flubbered.

Perhaps foolishly I don't use AUTO very often....just change the settings manually as I when I need too.

Heating works a treat by the way, no problem on that front.

Thats going to cause issues, mine is always left in auto. If its not used the bearings will dry up, and when you come to use it, bang

duggs · « **Reply #26 on:** 02 July 2010, 11:10:29 »

OOOOO bugger !

Entwood · « **Reply #27 on:** 02 July 2010, 11:43:16 »

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.reynolds983/Manuals/Omega2002Manual.pdf

Page 133 ... centre column ..

Quote

Maintenance
In order to ensure continuously efficient
performance of the electronic air conditioning
system it must be switched on once a month
for a few minutes, irrespective of the weather
and time of year, with the cooling (cooling
compressor) operational.

As said .. this stops the bearings seizing, and also allows the "drier" to remove moisture from within the system. Moisture + refridgerant = corrosive mixture that does the internal workings of the compressor no good whatsoever..

I just leave mine on all the time ..

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