AC System lost gas..........again
Discussion
Evening everyone.
Been to the Lotus Festival today, very good it was to see so many of us in the same place. If anyone went hope you had a good day (baring the patchy rain).
On the way back it was hot so flicked on the AC and absolutely no cool air coming out, AC comp’ clutch kicked in but just no gas in the system I assume.
The system was recharged due the same fault only 6 weeks ago and at the time I asked the dealer to check for leaks, they assured me they had and there was none (funny that as it was just before the warranty ran out)
Anyway, now I’ve got to get the system re-gassed again except this is pointless without tracing the leak. What I want to know is if there is a commonly faulty joint or weak point in the system that is the likely cause? Has anyone else had the same issue?
I want to know in advance as I am sure both clams will have to come off to investigate the fault and that’s going to cost me a substantial sum no doubt. If there’s something worth looking at that’s relative low cost before I go down this road then I’m willing to try it.
All advice welcome.
Been to the Lotus Festival today, very good it was to see so many of us in the same place. If anyone went hope you had a good day (baring the patchy rain).
On the way back it was hot so flicked on the AC and absolutely no cool air coming out, AC comp’ clutch kicked in but just no gas in the system I assume.
The system was recharged due the same fault only 6 weeks ago and at the time I asked the dealer to check for leaks, they assured me they had and there was none (funny that as it was just before the warranty ran out)
Anyway, now I’ve got to get the system re-gassed again except this is pointless without tracing the leak. What I want to know is if there is a commonly faulty joint or weak point in the system that is the likely cause? Has anyone else had the same issue?
I want to know in advance as I am sure both clams will have to come off to investigate the fault and that’s going to cost me a substantial sum no doubt. If there’s something worth looking at that’s relative low cost before I go down this road then I’m willing to try it.
All advice welcome.
I could live with a £1K fix but anything over that and it might be ignored until the panels were coming off for another reason. Keep me posted on your results and where you get the repair carried out as I may do the same. I've heard the compressors are know to fail also so I don't want to put too much effort into fixing it and then that blows.
If I have to have the front clam off I would also do the heater resistor mod as well as the rad. That cost approx. £1500 if it fails but only about £50 if the clam is already off.
Where do you go for maintenance in Essex? you might be close to me. I see a blue and white Sprint quite often.
If I have to have the front clam off I would also do the heater resistor mod as well as the rad. That cost approx. £1500 if it fails but only about £50 if the clam is already off.
Where do you go for maintenance in Essex? you might be close to me. I see a blue and white Sprint quite often.
I'm in Wickford so that Sprint can't be you then.
As I mentioned the clutch is clicking on and off so the system can't be that low. You would have thought something would be coming out the vents then even if it wasn't that cold. It's either a very small leak which will be a nightmare to locate or something else in the HVAC unit perhaps.
I can see me going without AC for the foreseeable.
As I mentioned the clutch is clicking on and off so the system can't be that low. You would have thought something would be coming out the vents then even if it wasn't that cold. It's either a very small leak which will be a nightmare to locate or something else in the HVAC unit perhaps.
I can see me going without AC for the foreseeable.
daz1001 said:
I had the dreaded sill pipe problem with my 2009 Exige a couple of years ago. The garage arrived at this conclusion when the system was re-gassed and completely empty again a few days later, with no trace of any dye on the visible pipes. The cost for the repair was £975 at Bell and Colvill. And yes, it was a clam off job!
Apparently these new flexible pipes should not corrode in the same way as the original pipes fitted at the factory, so in theory it shouldn't happen again.
Are they an aftermarket part then or is this a Lotus supplied item in response to all the problems? It would be handy to know as if I use a garage that hasn't come across the problem before I want to point them in the right direction. I generally use Stratton Motor Co in Norfolk for service and repairs and they seem pretty good. Apparently these new flexible pipes should not corrode in the same way as the original pipes fitted at the factory, so in theory it shouldn't happen again.
Also, what was the outcome? did it fix it?
Edited by TheTalentedMr on Monday 18th August 15:22
Someone recommended this to me today
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluid...
Anyone seen or used it before? Sounds risky as the details state it seals so quickly it can close up the re-fill port. Worth a try or not?
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluid...
Anyone seen or used it before? Sounds risky as the details state it seals so quickly it can close up the re-fill port. Worth a try or not?
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