Print

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

[terry paget]

X168JAT 2.5 petrol manual estate
This car's aircon does not blow cold, but otherwise the car is in excellent condition. If I have the aircon regassed professionally, will it work? I have the impression that if gas is lost compressor seals fail. I have a similar 2.5 petrol estate in tatty condition and with noisy rear wheel bearing, but working aircon. I intend to scrap the tatty car. Should I keep the compressor?

[05omegav6]

If the compressor works, then I would say yes...

If it shows signs of leaking, then simply disconnect it, and refurbish it when you're ready to fit it.

If it is dry underneath, then crimp the metal pipes to seal them as close to the compressor as possible. Then remove the compressor complete with its immediate plumbing.

BUT, to be clear... it's technically illegal to deliberately vent an aircon system to atmosphere, so it should be professionally discharged first. This will also remove any refrigerant and lubricant from the compressor but crimping the pipes prior to removal should keep any crud/moisture out of the compressor and minimise seal damage/deterioration

[terry paget]

Thanks, Al. I had the impression that one was not supposed to vent refrigerant gas to atmosphere, but suspect that car crushers simply crush crush cars on arrival, without fooling about sucking out refrigerant first.

Just looking at it, removal of the compressor does not look particularly difficult. My plan is to have the recipient car system regassed first, but if the gas soon leaks away to have the good compressor available as back up.

[Grrrrrr]

Depends how long it has been dry.

If you take it somewhere they'll do a leak test at first. That'll tell you what you need to know. Most decent places happily empty it for you, let you fix it and then refill afterwards for no extra cost.

[Kevin Wood]

Thanks, Al. I had the impression that one was not supposed to vent refrigerant gas to atmosphere, but suspect that car crushers simply crush crush cars on arrival, without fooling about sucking out refrigerant first.

That probably depends who's looking.

Actually, they probably do a nice sideline in re-selling the gas, so they probably do extract it.

[dbug]

Thanks, Al. I had the impression that one was not supposed to vent refrigerant gas to atmosphere, but suspect that car crushers simply crush crush cars on arrival, without fooling about sucking out refrigerant first.

Just looking at it, removal of the compressor does not look particularly difficult. My plan is to have the recipient car system regassed first, but if the gas soon leaks away to have the good compressor available as back up.

My mate manages a breakers - on any car taken in for scrapping all refrigerant is vac'd out, petrol/diesel removed, along with engine oil, coolant and ps fluid.  There is a good "market" for spare tyres (if not spacesavers quite often unused) and fuel (perk of the job I guess).  A/C refrigerant is recycled - they can regass your car for around £30, using correct equipment, vacing out, pressure testing and regassing with correct amount of refrigerent   Not worth their while to "vent" refrigerant to atmosphere by crushing before vacing it out

[Marks DTM Calib]

And to answer the original wuestion, its dependent on how long its been without pressure. The usual culprit for leaks is the condenser (bottom fins fail).

The usual symptom you see on a setup which has not had gas in for some time is a compressor which does not regulate well (they sometimes improve with use), you rarely see issues with the seals.

[terry paget]

And to answer the original wuestion, its dependent on how long its been without pressure. The usual culprit for leaks is the condenser (bottom fins fail).

The usual symptom you see on a setup which has not had gas in for some time is a compressor which does not regulate well (they sometimes improve with use), you rarely see issues with the seals.

So it's worth keeping the condenser too. Thanks. It looks simple to remove once I have removed the radiator. You infer that the compressor is likely to be OK. Reading the thread, a good aircon service shop will test for leaks before recharging the system, so could tell me what is needed.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, they should check for leaks.

My advice would be to look at the condenser, its pretty obvious what condition they are in and easily viewed from the front.

They should vac the system down for 30 mins plus to boil off any moisture from the setup and then check that vac is held before charging the system.

[Shackeng]

Useful info. The bottom fins on my TD's condenser have gone and no AC, so suspect a leak there, but I was thinking of replacing  the compressor at the same time, however from Mark's comments, I will change the condenser first then get a vac check.

[terry paget]

The bottom fins on most of my cars are falling out, but this would not allow refrigerant loss, just a little less cooling. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

What happens is there is a metal support bar across the bottom of the condenser, the fins drop out and this often drops off, the cooling pipes are then unsupported and fracture. 

[Shackeng]

What happens is there is a metal support bar across the bottom of the condenser, the fins drop out and this often drops off, the cooling pipes are then unsupported and fracture. 

Ahh thanks, I guess it will have to come out to check this. No obvious signs of coolant leaks either under the condenser or compressor.

[Marks DTM Calib]

You can feel if its sagging easily.

Also a mirror helps view the bottom edge with the bonnet open (need to remove the grill on pre-facelift)

[Shackeng]

You can feel if its sagging easily.

Also a mirror helps view the bottom edge with the bonnet open (need to remove the grill on pre-facelift)

I can see the bottom fins between the rads have bulged out into the gap.
Apologies for thread hi-jack.