Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: jonny2112 on 02 July 2012, 19:49:38

Title: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 02 July 2012, 19:49:38
As you know I had my aircon recharged in May at my local Vx. I thought there was an improvement, but alas in the last couple of weeks I realised that the air was as cold with 'ECO' on as with it off  :-\
Anyway, made an appointment for today with the service department in the event that there had in fact been an issue. Turns out the initial check and recharge only tests for leaks, etc. but not for pressure, and the 'pressure valve' on top of the pipe is failing, and therefore the system is not holding pressure so not functionning properly.
Not sure if this makes sense, and a pic may be beneficial to show the valve I'm talking about.
The bottom line would be a £280 bill from Vx, though they advised to just put the windows down  :D

Anyway, after all that my question is this - if one of our friendly breakers had the offending item, is it something that could be fitted at home, or as it is part of the aircon system would it need to be left to a 'dealer'?

Cheers  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Victor Meldrew on 02 July 2012, 20:09:56
Hi Jonny, sorry to hear you're having trouble with the air con.  Seems I was right to fear Ballyrobert's prices!  I still haven't got round to getting mine looked at because of the damned Ulster Bank, not received my wages yet!  When I get my money I was going to try Greenway Auto Electrics just of the Beersbridge Road, Belfast http://www.greenawayelectrics.co.uk/ (http://www.greenawayelectrics.co.uk/) they claim to be air con specialists, might be of interest to you.
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 02 July 2012, 20:16:02
Cheers Maurice, bit gutted tbh. Be interesting to see how you get on  :y
Oh, and sorry about the bank thing. What a nightmare!
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 18 July 2012, 22:10:18
- if one of our friendly breakers had the offending item, is it something that could be fitted at home, or as it is part of the aircon system would it need to be left to a 'dealer'?

Cheers  :y

Any more thoughts folks?
Cheers  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: mantahatch on 18 July 2012, 22:47:28
"pressure valve" not 100% sure which you mean, but if it is the valve which tells the system that it has pressure and so can turn the compressor on then I would have thought you could get one from a breaker on here.

If it is the fill or evacuate valve leaking they can be changed but I know there are at least a couple of different ones. And one fitted only for about a year MY1999 from memory.

HTH
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 18 July 2012, 22:53:03
Sorry, I forgot to add a pic which would have made things easier  :-[

By way of description, its the small black valve which is on the top of the thin diameter metal tube which runs across the front of the engine bay, just behind the rad, slightly to the passenger side. I think!

Too dark now for photos, but I'll have a quick trawl through the maintenance guides for a suitable image  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 18 July 2012, 23:11:29
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/jonny2112/photo-2.jpg[/img]](http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/jonny2112/photo-2.jpg) (http://[IMG)

It's the small black valve thingy, to the right of the 'Good Year' on the rubber hose  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 18 July 2012, 23:22:39
Is that not the Schrader type valve that is replaceable - screw out, screw in job?  I saw details of this on here before, there was even a part number if I recall rightly.

Is this the same boy?

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?action=print;num=1271538263
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 18 July 2012, 23:26:46
Sounds good Den, keep talking!
I haven't tinkered with it yet, so worth a try  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 18 July 2012, 23:34:23
Cheers Den  :y
Looks like the job! Even a part number - you're a star!
I'll try Vaux first, and failing that, the breakers  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Andy B on 19 July 2012, 06:43:26
Cheers Den  :y
Looks like the job! Even a part number - you're a star!
I'll try Vaux first, and failing that, the breakers  :y

You might find the part number if you trawl the site, it's here somewhere. Failing that I'll search my garage when I get home tonight. You need a 15 mm socket for the valve but use a 17mm to support the boss it screws into otherwise it'll snap .................... won't it Jammie!  ::) ::)
Don't be surprised if the dealer tells you that the valve is part of the pipework - he's wrong.  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: mantahatch on 19 July 2012, 07:31:03
But do remember there is at least 2 different ones.
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 19 July 2012, 07:35:56
But do remember there is at least 2 different ones.

Cheers for that. I have a part number from a previous thread, so hopefully the dealer will keep me right  ::)
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 19 July 2012, 09:15:08
Should have asked too - if I can get the valve sorted, does the system need regassed again?
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 19 July 2012, 09:39:07
I would think so J. 

I would also be inclined to head over to that place on the Beersbridge Road VM mentioned where they'll do a vacuum out, pressure and dye test. 

I's possible they would also have the valve/s in stock, so it may be worth your while to give them a call first to save you ballicking about with the dealer.
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Andy B on 19 July 2012, 15:57:44
Should have asked too - if I can get the valve sorted, does the system need regassed again?

Yes. Replacing the valve requires the gas to be recovered first before the sytem is opened to the atmosphere. :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 19 July 2012, 20:35:38
Cheers Andy. Ordered the valve today. Fiver plus vat as previously mentioned. Can't understand why stealer didn't know about it.
And thanks Den. I'll give Greenaways a shout in the morning and see what's what. I'll give grumpy a shout too, though not sure if he has managed to get sorted as yet himself.
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Victor Meldrew on 19 July 2012, 21:19:58
Cheers Andy. Ordered the valve today. Fiver plus vat as previously mentioned. Can't understand why stealer didn't know about it.
And thanks Den. I'll give Greenaways a shout in the morning and see what's what. I'll give grumpy a shout too, though not sure if he has managed to get sorted as yet himself.

Oi! Who you calling grumpy?  >:( Young whipper snapper!  ;) Bank have sorted themselves out, but now need to sort me brake pads so air con will have to wait. Will be watching with interest, let us know how you get on Jonny.  :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: Andy B on 19 July 2012, 21:50:14
....
 Can't understand why stealer didn't know about it.  .........

He's not on his own. My dealer couldn't find it & it appears that others are adamant that the valve isn't available on its own. Thanks again to Andy C for the number, but even then, because it doesn't appear to a normal GM part number some dealers it seems reluctant to believe it.   :y
Title: Re: Aircon ..... again!
Post by: jonny2112 on 19 July 2012, 22:26:52
Oi! Who you calling grumpy? 

You, you old fart  ;D
Only joking pal. Glad you finally got sorted out at the bank. I take there is a compensation cheque in the post ..............  ::)

My dealer couldn't find it & it appears that others are adamant that the valve isn't available on its own. Thanks again to Andy C for the number, but even then, because it doesn't appear to a normal GM part number some dealers it seems reluctant to believe it. 

I know Andy, it's weird! I just rang the parts dept, gave them the number, and hey presto  :y