Major AirCon woes.

[Hutton]

I really am not one to use my aircon but whilst on holiday down in London which is having blisteringly hot weather I pressed the a/c button. However, not one puff of the cold stuff emerged. Regassing is necessary thought I and booked her in to Mr T for the job. Curses upon curses they have informed me I need a new compressor & clutch and a condenser. That alone comes to about £1300. There is then a bit of pipe work to be done and then add some massive labour bill to it all. At least it has made it easy to make the decision to not bother my backside getting it done. Rolling down the window and opening the sunroof will just have to do. I must admit thinking that if the parts weren’t so crazy expensive then the dealer would get a job. This way he gets nowt!

 

[Beau]

How have they determined the clutch and compressor is gone? These aren't really known to fail unless someones messed with the system and not enough oil/too much oil is in them. Put it this way, my 23 year old compressor is still working like new.

If there isn't enough/too much charge in the system, the compressor will not operate. I'm thinking this is the case which is why they are wanting to replace it. Secondly, they should have put a vacuum on the system to determine if there's any leak in the system. If so, then the next step is finding out where.

I'd take it to a designated AC person who will be able to advise you better, and they won't be as expensive.

 

[StarCruiser]

On Beau’s Response. It is possible all 3 have gone plus a drier and a re-gas but you would need to be most unlucky. Take it to a proper refrigeration engineer. If you want to find a good one ask around local restaurants to see who they use. Putting the system on vacuum will only find big leaks such as a stone through the condenser. It’s not the ultimate method of leak detection. The gas has almost certainly leaked out of the shaft seal of the compressor as you don’t use your AC. It’s best to operate it once a week to keep things lubricated and as leak free as you can get with R134A. A proper leak check is to put on vacuum for however long is necessary (if the system is holed this will need to be overnight with a replacement drier. Once vacced out, a small puff of refrigerant followed by a full pressurisation with dry nitrogen. Then use a leak detector around all the joins. A full charge of neat refrigerant can be used but it has become very expensive so a nitrogen and R134A mix is best. Fix any leaks, vac out and charge with gas again to leak check. When leak free, charge with the correct weight of refrigerant plus a little PAG oil. Run and test.

 

[Hutton]

Wow! Great knowledge here on aircon. They told me that the compressor had been disconnected and therefore had seized solid. They didn’t know why the system had been disconnected apart from saying it may have been causing a problem. Once I get back home I will try to find an expert to consult. If any forum members in north east Scotland know any refrigeration experts please pass on the info.

 

[StarCruiser]

A photo under the bonnet may help. If the compressor has seized there’s various replacements possible. Condensers are available as are driers from after Market oem quality specialists. Just don’t get a Chinese copy compressor. Genuine Denso or Sanden Denso.

My compressor seized solid due to low gas and I managed to make one for a John Deere Tractor fit with some brackets and a longer belt. Had to reuse my pulley.

 

[Hutton]

A photo under the bonnet may help. If the compressor has seized there’s various replacements possible. Condensers are available as are driers from after Market oem quality specialists. Just don’t get a Chinese copy compressor. Genuine Denso or Sanden Denso.

My compressor seized solid due to low gas and I managed to make one for a John Deere Tractor fit with some brackets and a longer belt. Had to reuse my pulley.

Thanks once again for great advice. Unfortunately I don’t have the knowledge to do a job like this especially if modifications are in the cards. I wouldn’t even know what to photograph under the bonnet. I know it’s pathetic but there you are. My Cruiser is also my only vehicle so I can’t have it laid up for too long which usually means my trusted dealer. I have been looking up refrigeration guys where I live and have found a guy who specialises in this stuff so hopefully I may get a less expensive solution to my problem.

 

[clivehorridge]

Hope you’ve found a good guy Hutton, my brother was lucky with an old timer working for himself doing a mobile auto A/C service. His number’s no good to you because he only works within a 50 mile radius from Oxford, but these guys are out there if you can find them.

He made up new pipes to replace cracked ones and had an array of various parts, “O” rings, condensers and driers in stock in the back of his transit mobile workshop.

 

[AndyCook]

Hi
I used mike Scott once, he came round to my house and we both worked on my Landcruiser Colorado to fit a new condenser radiator (I bought this from Simon Holton@toyota).
Mike fitted everything on my driveway, tested system and regassed.
This was just before a Morocco trip and the aircon worked well, much better than before with old condenser and most cooling fins missing

He is only person I have used up here, so no other recommendations

http://www.vehicleaircon.co.uk/

 

[StarCruiser]

Sounds the sort of chap, Andy, and hopefully close enough with a bit of luck.

Hutton, it’s not pathetic. We each have our own skill set. The wise man knows where his skillset ends. The key is finding good people with skills you don’t have. So wise, not pathetic. It’s also wise to question diagnoses, as you have done. You can always ask for a ‘faulty’ part to be proven faulty.

 

[Hutton]

Thanks for all the encouraging messages. It’s great to hear the endorsement from Andy for Mike Scott. He was the guy that I found online who seemed to be the best bet. I’ll contact him when I get back home. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - this is a great forum.

 

[AndyCook]

Nice one, glad you found same chap.
Hope he is able to help you as he did me
He is based near Huntly, about 15mins from me
And about 45min to 1hr from Aberdeen

 

[Hutton]

Has anyone fitted Chinese aftermarket aircon parts as this may be an option I have to consider.

 

[StarCruiser]

The advice from my Fridge engineer Mate is to avoid. Get genuine Denso or Sanden Denso compressor.

 

[Grimbo]

Most Agricultural dealers will be able to do Air Con and probably make up pipes etc .
May be an option for you if you're rural Scotland .
Air con is not rocket science but to sort correctly needs a methodical approach .
There are several UK suppliers of good quality aftermarket air con parts , don't touch anything Chinese unless it's a number 43 with sweet and sour sauce .

 

[StarCruiser]

Post up what you need and I’ll ask where’s best to buy. I think there’s a supplier called something like Auto Air Con or something.

Here you go. Auto Air, Gloucester.

http://www.autoairglos.net/

 

[Hutton]

Apparently I need a compressor plus clutch and a condenser.

 

[StarCruiser]

The compressor can come complete with clutch so if you can get all the numbers off the old one, I think there’s a plate on the back but may also be on the side. Also your full model number of the vehicle and year. You should change the drier as well. Not sure if that’s a separate item as on the 80 or built into the condenser like the 120.

The condenser and drier should be available from Auto Air. Ask them about the compressor just make sure it is brand new, not a recon or a Chinese copy.

 

[TonyP]

I got the replacement aircon pump and clutch for my 120 which was one unit from Opieoil at a reasonable price. They may do them for your LC

 

[frank rabbets]

Does your car have the rear Air Con?

 

[Hutton]

Does your car have the rear Air Con?

This sounds ridiculous but I don’t know. At the back of the cubby box there is a rear high/low heater switch and a large dial which moves from cold to hot through a red indicator. The rear high/low switch is also on the front dash.