Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: dragonlord on 02 February 2010, 21:58:26

Title: aircon rad thing
Post by: dragonlord on 02 February 2010, 21:58:26
well found out where my aircon gas went.

when it was on ramp  yesterday and I was looking for coolant leak

the air con rad seem to be falling apart the one behind main radiator

looks like bottom fell out and there's bit crinkly card stuff falling out of it

how hard are they to change as i aint much of a clue on aircon

and will it cost me a arm and a leg or two
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Edd on 02 February 2010, 22:12:03
quite a bit of work, weld new one in then pressure test then regas
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: dbug on 02 February 2010, 22:13:23
Quote
quite a bit of work, weld new one in then pressure test then regas

No mate its just bolted in  :-? :-?
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Edd on 02 February 2010, 22:14:21
i meant the pipes
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Edd on 02 February 2010, 22:14:40
or are the on unions
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Entwood on 02 February 2010, 22:15:08
I'm sure one of the guys breaking cars in the "for sale" section will be able to help ..  :)
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: tunnie on 02 February 2010, 22:15:26
Quote
well found out where my aircon gas went.

when it was on ramp  yesterday and I was looking for coolant leak

the air con rad seem to be falling apart the one behind main radiator

looks like bottom fell out and there's bit crinkly card stuff falling out of it

how hard are they to change as i aint much of a clue on aircon

and will it cost me a arm and a leg or two

If its just the bottom run, thats ok, mines done it a bit,still works fine.

They are quite fragile and damage easily, wrong time of year to tell, but its its working i'd leave be until it/if fails
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Andy H on 02 February 2010, 22:16:36
A/C condenser/radiator is in front of the the main engine radiator.

I think they both have aluminium fins that can corrode (and look like soggy cardboard).
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: dbug on 02 February 2010, 22:17:47
Quote
i meant the pipes.........or are the on unions
Quote

You obviously have done one of these before  :o :o

You undo the unions at the end of the pipes mate!
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Edd on 02 February 2010, 22:19:45
not on the omega hence i wasnt sure about it being unions or not but have on others
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: dragonlord on 02 February 2010, 22:29:18
acons not working it blows hot air

was when i got car iv done 25k on it its at 82k now
about 7k ago want really chilling but haven needed it

but that defernatly it the condencer thing in frount main rad

and does look like soggy carboard falling out

if it just a bolt in job i may try my self with a used one
cant really weld it my self

so can you just basically just bolt it in and then have it refilled ?

if so ill have a go when it warmer

its not like i need aircon at the moment and the weather we been having
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Edd on 02 February 2010, 22:32:34
it will need a pressure test to be sure its not got any leaks then regas, im sure someone on here was offering a overhaul for the aircon but cant remember how much
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Entwood on 02 February 2010, 22:35:14
Quote
it will need a pressure test to be sure its not got any leaks then regas, im sure someone on here was offering a overhaul for the aircon but cant remember how much

Simon Omega was .. but he's a long, long way from Luton !! :(
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Andy H on 02 February 2010, 22:35:20
Quote
so can you just basically just bolt it in and then have it refilled ?

In principle yes.

It is very important to use new sealing rings and keep everything absolutely clean and dry.

I have had a failed condenser then 3 days later the compressor seal failed.

I got an air conditioning engineer to pressure test mine with nitrogen to find the leaks before it was taken apart.
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: dbug on 02 February 2010, 22:37:04
Quote
acons not working it blows hot air

was when i got car iv done 25k on it its at 82k now
about 7k ago want really chilling but haven needed it

but that defernatly it the condencer thing in frount main rad

and does look like soggy carboard falling out

if it just a bolt in job i may try my self with a used one
cant really weld it my self

so can you just basically just bolt it in and then have it refilled ?

if so ill have a go when it warmer

its not like i need aircon at the moment and the weather we been having

Doesn't need any welding - don't listen to advice from people who haven't done the job!!

Need to remove radiator, see http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1265139824

Need to remove residual gas (if any) from a/c system (vac pump - illegal to discharge gas to atmosphere  ;) ) - disconnect air con pipes at unions with a/c rea, unbolt rad and lift out.  To fit reverse of removal.  Refit cooling rad, refill cooling system and bleed.  Leak test a/c and regas.  Not a particularly difficult or long job to do.

[edit]You can get a new one here - £90 http://www.carcooling.co.uk/catalog/Vauxhall_Omega_B_94_03-2348-1.html[/edit]

[edit]Howto with pics for doing this job here - http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1186952629[/edit]

HTH  :y
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: dragonlord on 02 February 2010, 22:49:09
cool not look to bad a job

think ill have a go when i got some more cash and its warmer

dout there any gas in

but ill be very careful venting gas ;)

because im so green I drive a 3L
 i worie about  global warming every day ;)

thanks guys
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Edd on 02 February 2010, 22:50:56
Ill be quiet then  :-X
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Bionic on 03 February 2010, 07:20:41
Soggy Cardboard??
There is no carboard type of material anywhere in the system. The closet things to it would be the pollen filter and the air filter.
Are you sure someone has not put a lump of cardboard in the slot between the rads to make the heaters work better by blanking off the incoming air? It used to be a very old dodge but was fraught with danger of overheating when the weather got warmer.
Had my condenser changed and the whole system re-gassed properly for £234.00 inclusing the new drier.
All bits are fixed by a couple of bolts, pipe unions and banjo bolts, nothing is welded. Make sure both plastic location pegs go into the bottom grommets too.
If your system is totally empty you can change the Condenser yourself with ease, remember to use new seals and a new drier though! There is a guide in the Maintenance Section of the forum. Don't drive it too far before you get it re-gassed either.
GudLuk
Title: Re: aircon rad thing
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 03 February 2010, 08:52:35
Best price for a condenser with dryer is here at the moment

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OMEGA-B-CONDENSER-RADIATOR-RECEIVER-DRIER-16-6554_W0QQitemZ320452923600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4a9c7b90d0