Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: sir moanalot on 07 January 2007, 17:23:17

Title: wheres my aircon..
Post by: sir moanalot on 07 January 2007, 17:23:17
on one of the warmer days i tried my aircon but no cold air. when i switch it on the blower comes on but not cold.
what would be the best way to proceed -a regas? or try one of these aircon service centres? its not very urgent at the moment but would like it working come the hotter weather.
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: x25xe on 07 January 2007, 17:59:23
Firstly, do you have climate control or standard A/C?

If you have climate control, then the idle speed should increase by a couple of hundred rpm with climate ON.  I imagine that this would be the same with regular A/C.  This test proves that the compressor is working and, more importantly, that there is refrigerant (gas) in the system.  Sometimes you can also hear a click as the compressor engages...........

If the above is true then I woudl recommend that you get the car to an A/C specialist and ask them to replace the filter / dryer and then VAC and regas the system.  This takes some time so be prepared to leave the car with them for a day.

If you do it now, you will probably pay a bit less...........................

Following this, get the system vaced and regased each year with the filter / dryer being replaced every two years.............

I have followed this procedure with my Cavalier which I have had for 10 years.  I had to pay nearly £1000 several years ago to get the system working and asked the person who worked on my car how to prevent the system failing.  What I have written above was his reply.  It has not let me down.

If the compressor is not engaging, then there may be a fault with it or there is no gas in the system.  Either way, it will need looking at by an A/C specialist.  It is fairly common on the Omega for the Condenser to fail (this is the A/C radiator at the front of the car).

Hope this helps and good luck
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: sir moanalot on 07 January 2007, 18:10:48
i have standard aircon.
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: TheBoy on 07 January 2007, 18:19:52
Usually due to low gas pressure. Whether or not is just needs a regas will require a specialist - they should put a dye in with it, so if its leaking, they can tell where from.

If the A/C isn't used at least weekly, the compressor may have seized, that will be expensive.

Using A/C regularly keeps the system working - the lubricants in the gas stop the seals drying out and stop the compressor seizing...
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: x25xe on 07 January 2007, 18:27:22
Quote
Usually due to low gas pressure. Whether or not is just needs a regas will require a specialist - they should put a dye in with it, so if its leaking, they can tell where from.

If the A/C isn't used at least weekly, the compressor may have seized, that will be expensive.

Using A/C regularly keeps the system working - the lubricants in the gas stop the seals drying out and stop the compressor seizing...


All true and I meant to say this above  :-[
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: tunnie on 08 January 2007, 00:46:37
Quote
Quote
Usually due to low gas pressure. Whether or not is just needs a regas will require a specialist - they should put a dye in with it, so if its leaking, they can tell where from.

If the A/C isn't used at least weekly, the compressor may have seized, that will be expensive.

Using A/C regularly keeps the system working - the lubricants in the gas stop the seals drying out and stop the compressor seizing...


All true and I meant to say this above  :-[

You can usually spot the dye without the popper gear, its usually green the dye. But look around the pipes and especially the condenser to look for 'odd' colours.

But as mentioned air-con needs to be done by specialists  :y
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: Auto Addict on 08 January 2007, 06:42:45
See this link http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161091674
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: sir moanalot on 08 January 2007, 17:23:46
Quote
See this link http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161091674
cheers for the idea, i tried the website but they are not near enough to me, but have found a local chap who is on his way around sunday. he reckons it may be my condensor but will try some tests. if it is sod £250 will have to sweat a bit in the summer !!
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2007, 19:59:14
Quote
......
If you have climate control, then the idle speed should increase by a couple of hundred rpm with climate ON........  This test proves that the compressor is working a.....
No it doesn't. I had a problem with my A/C last Easter - a long story, but it was an electrical fault - the revs rose when you apparently put the A/C on but the compressor clutch was NOT engaging.
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: x25xe on 08 January 2007, 20:13:45
Quote
Quote
......
If you have climate control, then the idle speed should increase by a couple of hundred rpm with climate ON........  This test proves that the compressor is working a.....
No it doesn't. I had a problem with my A/C last Easter - a long story, but it was an electrical fault - the revs rose when you apparently put the A/C on but the compressor clutch was NOT engaging.

That is because the pressure sensor in the system indicated that there was sufficient pressure to engage the clutch on the compressor.  This signals to the ECU to raise engine revs before the compressor cuts in.  This avoids a brief power loss which would occur if the revs were to be raised after the clutch engaged.

This is my understanding anyway.

I only described the engine rpm theory as an easy test figuring that further posts would follow. ;)
Title: Re: wheres my aircon..
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2007, 20:48:18
Quote
......
That is because the pressure sensor in the system indicated that there was sufficient pressure to engage the clutch on the compressor.  .......
I only described the engine rpm theory as an easy test figuring that further posts would follow. ;)
My A/C didn't work cos the compressor wasn't clutched in .... I assume. I'd also assumed that as the revs were rising the climate control was working, it was only as the weather got hotter and the interior of my car did the same that I realised I had a problem. My Senator though used to be as you said.