has air con compressor died?

[mkultr4]

hi

two weeks ago my aircon started dispensing warm air through the vents. i took it for a re gas and this didnt fix it. the bloke seemed certain that the compressor needed replacing but having a little browse through the forums suggests that another fix may be the answer.
its a 406 year 2000 1.8 petrol.
when i switch on the air con there is a click from the engine - the same as when everything was working.
does the click indicate what steps i should take next?

[mjb]

The click (and mild shudder and slight change in engine revs) indicates the compressor clutch has engaged drive to the compressor, so there is nothing electrically or electronically wrong. At this point the only relevant parts to the system are the refrigerant and compressor so if it isn't working then either you've got a leak or a broken compressor. If the AC bloke says the system's holding pressure, then the only thing it can be is the compressor.

[mkultr4]

hi and thanks for the reply. the ac guy said that there was some gas in system before he started. he filled it up and said that there was no leak.
is the compressor easily replaceable? the cheapest i have seen is about 70 quid from a national breaker site. do i need specialist tools? i havent managed to find fitting guide as yet and i dont have a haynes manual.

thanks again

[mjb]

It's a fairly easy job, but one that has been criminalised and carries a jail term for doing without the relevant paperwork/qualifications. We cannot advocate doing this.

However, it does involve a properly qualified person evacuating the refrigerant from the system, disconnecting the pipes from the compressor (not an easy job due to corrosion and the soft metals used) as well as the electric connector to the solenoid, removing the aux belt (possibly removing ECU tray too depending on engine bay space) and unbolting the compressor before re-fitting and re-gassing.

[mkultr4]

i was hoping this could be a diy job but am now discouraged. how much should i expect to pay for having this done

[Doggy]

I've got a spare Sanden compressor, free to good home, OK AFAIK, bought 2nd hand, never used.......

[mkultr4]

I've got a spare Sanden compressor, free to good home, OK AFAIK, bought 2nd hand, never used.......

will this do the job? where are you based?

[plod]

There are two types of compressor so you need to see which type you have fitted to your car first
As for where he's based - it's in his profile, clearly viewable in every post

[mkultr4]

There are two types of compressor so you need to see which type you have fitted to your car first
As for where he's based - it's in his profile, clearly viewable in every post

mobile view turned off on phone so didnt notice ha ha.

how do i id the compressor type in my car?

cheers

[steve_earwig]

I thought they both fitted, you just need to change the drive belt

One way of telling: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12985&p=115834&hili ... pg#p115834

[steve_earwig]

Looking at the pictures on here http://seekpart24.com/peugeot/406-break ... sor-100354 the compressor in the link I posted above is almost certainly a Delphi/Harrison.

What about the ribs? Bollocks, they all have 6.

Generally they seem to be:

Delphi/Harrison:


Sanden:


Note the shape of the body, that's pretty distinctive

The belts are soooo close I can't see what the problem is - what's a few mm among friends? Anyway, this is off that seekpart24 site (for a HDi 110 so far):

Without a/c 1468-1472mm
QH QBR61472
Metzger 6PK1468
Gates 6PK1470
Bosch 1 987 946 097
SKF VKMV 6PK1468

Delphi/Harrison 1750mm
QH QBR61750
Gates 6PK1753
Bosch 1 987 947 981
SKF VKMV 6PK1750

Sanden 1740-1743mm
Metzger 6PK1740
QH QBR61743
Gates 6PK1740
Bosch 1 987 948 496
SKF VKMV 6PK1740


Any use?

[mkultr4]

thanks for that. its a sanden

[mkultr4]

I've got a spare Sanden compressor, free to good home, OK AFAIK, bought 2nd hand, never used.......

would you be able to mail this to me? i will pay for the postage and trouble.

[Doggy]

Yes, sorry I haven't replied to your PM as yet - been trying to find a suitable box etc.......

I'll PM you as soon as I can.

[Harshan]

one fact in this and hope it helps to diagnose faults in A/C system. The compressor won't engage with a click noise if there's no sufficient refregirant in the system.