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[omega si]

Okay heres the story so far....

Had the car over 3 years now, and as regards the aircon, its always worked faultlessly.

Turned the aircon on yesterday and nothing. When I turn the aircon on and off with the eco button, the engine hesitates slightly, but the revs dont pick up like they used to.

I've done most jobs on cars, so I'm pretty confident with a spanner and finding my way around but I've never worked on ac systems.

I could really do with some advice on process of elimination steps which I'm guessing involves checking fuses, relays, refrigerant level etc (more detail the better  )

Anyway, I'd be very grateful for anyone pointing me in the right direction without having to resort to VX

Thanks in advance, Si

[Andy B]

......
Anyway, I'd be very grateful for anyone pointing me in the right direction without having to resort to VX

Thanks in advance, Si

It's likely you're just down on gas/R134a. Get it cheched/topped up at a reputable A/C place local to you. 

[Entwood]

Okay heres the story so far....

Had the car over 3 years now, and as regards the aircon, its always worked faultlessly.

Turned the aircon on yesterday and nothing. When I turn the aircon on and off with the eco button, the engine hesitates slightly, but the revs dont pick up like they used to.

I've done most jobs on cars, so I'm pretty confident with a spanner and finding my way around but I've never worked on ac systems.

I could really do with some advice on process of elimination steps which I'm guessing involves checking fuses, relays, refrigerant level etc (more detail the better  )

Anyway, I'd be very grateful for anyone pointing me in the right direction without having to resort to VX

Thanks in advance, Si

Most A/C specialists suggest an annual regas as the system can lose around 10-15% a year .. so in 3 years you may have lost 1/3rd of the gas even though it has no leaks at all.


I would suggest a visit to a "proper" air con place, one who will do a pressure check BEFORE even thinking about a regas, and if a regas is needed will correctly vaccuum your system for 30 minutes before refilling.

Not like some places which just squirt in an unknown amount of gas, with no oil, and take your money.

[Turk]

Have you tried re-setting the A/C system ? If that doesn't do it, check the belt hasn't broken ?
Don't bother with VX Main Stealer, specialist auto A/C centre will know sort it for much less than VX.

It's due a re-gas after 3 years anyway, you may find that all it is.

[Andy B]

.....
 check the belt hasn't broken ?  .......

Are there any Omega that do not have a poly-V belt? If the belt had snapped he'd have more pressing problems than lack of cold (I know A/C does more than chilled air    ) 

[Turk]

Dunno about the rest, but the 2.5td has a separate A/C belt. Runs the compressor only. 

[Andy B]

Dunno about the rest, but the 2.5td has a separate A/C belt. Runs the compressor only. 

that'll be BMW's input!     

[p j morgan]

sounds like a gas problem you can get it regassed for about forty to foury five quid depends where you take it .then again it could  be the belt good look with it

[Turk]

When I bought my second 2.5td, there was no belt on it. Should have suspected there was more to it than just a new belt needed. Obviously they had other issues and had removed the belt, thinking it did more than just spin freely if clutch not engaged. Finally traced it to a porous condensor rad. Very slow leak.  Didn't even pick it up on a pressure check when re-gased.
Only found it when re-done at a specialist A/C centre that used UV dye. Been right for almost 2 years now, but I'll get it re-gassed for summer.
Don't bother with Kwik-Fleece if the system is suspect. They do not use UV dye.
I left there with it working fine, but the following day...nothing :-?

[omega si]

Hey everyone, thanks for the quick replys.

Would the gas running down over a period of time cause the a/c to just suddenly stop working? Would this just stop the load on the engine by presumably stopping the clutch engaging on the compressor? Or would the cluth always engage even if its low on fluid? And if so, is there a way of checking that the clutch is operating properly?

How do I 'reset' the aircon? Also, any thoughts on fuses and relays to check?

If I do need to take it in somewhere, can anyone recommend a garage in or around Leeds?

Thanks, Si

PS The belt is fine. Mines the 2.5 petrol which has just the 1 belt for everything.

[Turk]

Up-date car details on your profile so we know year, model etc

If it's a Facelift model, to re-set, press and hold Off and Auto at the same time for about 5 seconds.

If the pressure drops below a certain point it will not allow the compressor clutch to engage. (This also happens if outside temperature is below 5 or 6 deg C).

Try here: http://www.antarctic-aircon.com/

[omega si]

Up-date car details on your profile so we know year, model etc  

Sorry, thought my cars details were on, but they are now anyway.

[Richard A]

Start engine, switch the 'ECO' on, look down at the air con compressor, (front nearside under the power steering pump), the clutch on the front with four bolts on should not be revolving, get someone to press the 'ECO' button while you watch if the clutch engages (starts to rotate).
If it does have system topped up by a aircon specialist.
regards
richarda

[Turk]

Start engine, switch the 'ECO' on, look down at the air con compressor, (front nearside under the power steering pump), the clutch on the front with four bolts on should not be revolving, get someone to press the 'ECO' button while you watch if the clutch engages (starts to rotate).
If it does have system topped up by a aircon specialist.
regards
richarda

 If the gas is too low it won't engage.

[dbug]

Hey everyone, thanks for the quick replys.

Would the gas running down over a period of time cause the a/c to just suddenly stop working? Would this just stop the load on the engine by presumably stopping the clutch engaging on the compressor? Or would the cluth always engage even if its low on fluid? And if so, is there a way of checking that the clutch is operating properly?
How do I 'reset' the aircon? Also, any thoughts on fuses and relays to check?

If I do need to take it in somewhere, can anyone recommend a garage in or around Leeds?

Thanks, Si

PS The belt is fine. Mines the 2.5 petrol which has just the 1 belt for everything.

Yeh - to check if a/c compressor clutch not stuck first unplug elec plug from compressor.  Put 12 volts across compressor terminals (maintaining correct polarity!) - you should hear clutch engage with a quite loud thud.  If no sound likely clutch seized ie compressor breaked.