Aircon question...

[no2lurch]

after reading various aircon related horror stories i'm worried.

i get no really cold air when my aircon is on, and when i switch it on, i dont hear any change in engine note or any clicks anywhere like its trying to start.

i'm due to take ot for a regas, will it start clicking with pressure in the system?

[puggy]

Ah now starts your journey to the dark side !! when you take it for a re gas the
first thing they should do is give it a vacum test to see if there are any leaks , you
may be lucky and it just needs a re gas due to natural leakage . If this is not the
case then it could be anyone of several things or combination , condensor , pipes ,
pressure switch relays compressor etc etc

[Welly]

Puggy's right it can be a can of worms and you may turn up with working aircon and leave with no air con at all

First thing is check the existing system pressure and do a visual with UV light and wacky glasses to spot for oil staining from any leaks. Then recover any old gas safety, then do a nitrogen test to very high pressure and watch the gauge like a hawk for signs of leaks. If there are no leaks over, say, 20 mins then vac-down to remove any moisture in the system, once vac'd out then charge with new refrigerant and a dose of lubricating oil and UV dye.

To check whether it's actually working or not you need to watch and listen at the compressor. When you switch the a/c on then the outer part of the compressor pulley will 'click in' and begin rotating - sometimes it will click in and out automatically. You can also carefully feel the pipes (keeping hands, clothing etc away from any rotating parts) the smaller diameter pipe will be hot/warm (high pressure side) and the larger diameter one will be pretty cold and should form some condensation on it (low pressure side).

The most common failure by far on the D9 is the condenser at the front (I got through two of them in three years).

[no2lurch]

well the car is being regassed as we speak. i will update. the worse case for me would be its goosed so no better than it is now, but no financial cost incurred!

if it is goosed, then i think what i will do is get some wind deflectors until i can afford to sort properly - loads of miles planned with kids in the car so surely deflectors will be better than no aircon?

[Welly]

I take it you've gone to Kwik Fit?

I don't use my aircon very often, it's only a benefit to me in heavy traffic or a sunny hot motorway run.

[no2lurch]

indeed kwickfit lol