Air Conditioning busted

[teamster1975]

D8 Exec Petrol Tubby
AirCon just stopped working all of a sudden
The controls are working correctly, when you manually set aircon nothing happens. No relay click, and the rad fan doesn't kick in. I've had a quick look around the fuses and they look ok, the pipework looks ok, no signs of corrosion.
Help please!
Thanks in advance

[steve_earwig]

I suppose the obvious is a leak but how do you check for it?

[darrenwall]

unfortunatly you cant really check for a leak at home cos by the time you find out its stopped working it usually means the gas has pretty much all gone and the pressure switch doesnt allow the compressor to kick in . the only way to find out is to take it to an air conditioning engineer and they fill the system with nitrogen at VERY high pressure then squirt fairy liquid round everywhere to llok for bubbles , failing that they put an ultra violet dye in the system and use a uv light to check for leaks .its most likely the condensor on the front has gone or if you dont use it very often the carbon seals in the pump dry out and it leaks thro there . i know all this cos my mate has got his own air conditioning company ( http://www.cool-solution.co.uk/ if anyone in south wales needs their ac done he is very good ) and when i had my 406 it needed refilling every few weeks so i got to learn how to do it myself

[teamster1975]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I'll have to delve into the yellow pages.
(We've got a sh1t fit round the corner from us, I think I'll pass on them! )

[darrenwall]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I'll have to delve into the yellow pages.
(We've got a sh1t fit round the corner from us, I think I'll pass on them! )

make sure they pressure test the system first to find the leak otherwise they will just fill it up and it could last a few weeks before the slow leak lets all the gas out again

[teamster1975]

Thanks Darren, I'll let everyone know how I get on!
Unfortunately it's got to go on the back burner because I've got more important things I need to spend money on

Just had to fit a new radiator & cooling fan to the CB, it had been air cooled for the last 4 weeks or so! Luckily it's got plenty of fins on the head and doesn't run too hot! Still, £99 for rad, £10 for antifreeze and £30 for ebay 2nd hand fan
Why does it always happen when you haven't got the spare readies, I'm battling to pay off my credit cards and I've had to top it up again!

[Welly]

Actually the condenser is better placed in the D8's and most, if not all older cars up to 10/11 years old all seem to have functioning a/c.

Have you tried wigling the wires at the pressure switch (on the condenser) and at the compressor (with engine off!).

If you could pop to an a/c "repair" garage they will have a quick looky under UV light for any obvious leaks for free. All systems contain some dye which is still visibl long after the gas has escaped.

[teamster1975]

Have you tried wigling the wires at the pressure switch (on the condenser) and at the compressor (with engine off!).

No I haven't, I'll have a butchers tonight after work. You may be on to something because it only happenned after I'd replaced the bottom rad hose and discovered the leak on the 'stat housing. I wonder whether it's shorted something

Quick question for anyone in the know; I have recently noticed that the top rad hose is slightly bulged after a drive; when I crack the pressure cap it deflates. The hose is basically knackered anyway so that is on the list along with the thermostat housing. Could there be air getting in through the housing leak or does it point toward head gasket? I've never noticed mayo on the dip stick and the expansion tank doesn't smell of combustion gas

[Welly]

You may be on to something

I'm excited

On your coolant query - it is normal for hoses to be pressurised at full temp...that's the idea and that's what the "radiator cap" does - it maintains a pressure to prevent boiling-over of the systems' water at 90 to 110 deg C. TBH I think most rad caps are incapable of blowing after about 6 years and something else will take the brunt like a heater matrix or unsuspecting hose fitting

If a head gasket pressurises the water ways the hoses will be fit to burst! (if they don't blow off first).

[teamster1975]

If a head gasket pressurises the water ways the hoses will be fit to burst! (if they don't blow off first).

Thanks for the advice Welly, I've had horrible visions of having to take the head off I'm guessing replacing the top hose and leaky 'stat housing will be the end of that problem once and for all.
If you'd like me to give you a hand sorting your PC out let me know! Remote access is great!

[Welly]

Thanks for the advice Welly

It's OK - I made it all up

If you'd like me to give you a hand sorting your PC out let me know! Remote access is great!

What? have you snoop around in here and find what my "interests" are

Actually, since everyone ditched there moving gif's *ahem puggy* it's been ok but I ought to plug in some more memory I suppose, cheers Teamy.

[DaiRees]

Actually, since everyone ditched there moving gif's *ahem puggy* it's been ok but I ought to plug in some more memory I suppose, cheers Teamy.

[teamster1975]

You're welcome matey

I'm trying to get as much advice as I can being a DIY mechanic; there's some areas that I've never touched and although I'm pretty competent with mechanics I don't want to get myself in the sh1t

Edit: You got in there before me Dai! (I'd like to meet the owner of that pvc clad arse! )

[puggy]

Anything for you welly !!!

[Welly]

Mmmm.....they're some hips eh?

Woo hooo