Air-Con Re-Charge:

[StarCruiser]

Looking at how AC systems are recharged wether it be from a fully auto machine or manually I get the impression that oil amount isn’t that critical, rather there’ll be a max and minimum figure, much like the max and min marks on an engine oil dipstick but on a smaller scale. Too little will obviously wreck the compressor, not sure what effect too much would have. Possibly reduced cooling capacity or some other form of compressor damage, hydraulic lock maybe?

Exactly right, hydraulic lock can punch holes in the reed valves. This can also happen if liquid refrigerant gets back to the compressor when it doesn’t evaporate in the evaporator because it’s too cold. I digress.

 

[frank rabbets]

There was just oil vapour in mine and the bearings were shot but the ptfe pistons were not scuffed so yes I don't think the amount of oil could be that critical. System still worked. Lack of oil was down to me changing condenser twice together with drier twice and then relying on an a/c tech to recharge. He ensured the right amount of oil would be added but it obviously was not. Bearing debris had not got past the Toyota drier/filter so I was lucky. That's when I started to really try and understand what was going on. My brother had been on a training course and obtained a licence, bought a machine and actually knew how it worked.

 

[BobMurphy]

It was my Wife's (70th ) birthday on Saturday and yesterday the whole family had a day out to Alnwick Gardens/Castle in Northumberland.

There were seven of us in the '100' (5 adults & 2 kids), the third row seats are 'proper' seats (unlike those in our Ford Grand C-MAX) and we had a good trip.

The Air-Con worked well. So well that I had to turn it off as the passengers were complaining about the cold . So it seems that my efforts with the Halfords top-up bottle worked.

It was a 200-mile round trip on the A1 (a road I hate) and nothing fell off or broke so the 18-year-old truck is still functioning .

Bob.

 

[ADD]

Just had mine re-gassed from empty after knocking a retaining clip off the low pressure pipe near the passage bulkhead.

With AC front and rear the volume was 1020 ml. The garage made a point of saying that the gas has increased again and they are paying £240+vat for a 12 l cylinder. It took just over the hour from vacuum testing to refill. Cost £85 +VAT

 

[eatapeach]

"The last recharge I had done was around 3 years ago by a local specialist after I replaced a leaking condenser (for the third time) and dryer unit. Its still working to full effect and is the longest its ever gone without a recharge.
The first two condensers failed due to corrosion at the joints between the core matrix and the end tanks. I gave the last one a good coat of engine enamel paint making sure the joints were well protected.

Speaking of that - does anyone know that place in Warrington who is recommended for cruiser AC repairs? I have a dead condensor - or at least it leaks after talking to the guy who tried to refill my system. After having a previous 100 where the rear pipes went and Mr T replaced them I'm wary of giving it to just anyone - and that place in Warrington was recommended a while ago as ones who can repair or bypass rear pipework leaks