Air con gone wrong?

[si_xsi]

Went to turn the a/c on Monday (not digital climate, manual type) and didn't feel as cold as i'm used to and couldn't here engine / belt kick in.

Then yesterday its started working again, so seems it could be intermittent fault. Do you think a full service of system, flush etc will sort it or more likely to be pump? Will monitor and start with cheapest. I've not touched the a/c system in the 2 years i've had it and doubt previous owners have. Would it show up anywhere on Mini computer systems?

Not sure if this is just a coincidence but it worked fine before Mini had it less than 1 month ago to replace water pump where they took front bumper off!

interested to know if anyone else has had similar problems.

[Chris_S]

Mine just stopped blowing cold. No noise from a/c system, just the fan.
Had it it re-gassed. All good again. Mine's a 2006

[RossP]

Start with a regas and take it from there. You should run the aircon regularly as the gas lubricates the seals. The pump won't kick in if the pressure is low.

[Marcia]

Was just going to start a thread on this myself.I'm having a spot of bother with my aircon too.When i turn it on there is a whiring,whistling noise coming from it,and it doesn't feel that cold either.Haven't had it on since last summer.Shortly after buying the car last year,it had to go back in to have a new compressor and expansion valve,but it's out of warranty now.Could it just need regassing? but that wouldn't explain the whistling noise coming from it.

[nickfrog]

Whistling noise means it's running on empty or almost empty. Have it leak detected by a serious mobile specialist rather then Kwik Fit or equivalent. No point on re-gasssing until you know there's no leak. Should be running all year round ideally.

[Marcia]

Cheers nick,will have it looked at,can't go with no aircon at this time of year.If it does have a leak,i reckon it probably had it when i bought it.Will it do any damage to the unit if i leave it as it is?

[nickfrog]

Yes as the lubricant is in the gas, so if no gas no lubricant and it will kill the compressor, and lead to big bills.
A mobile specialist will cost you £50/£60 for re-gas, lube and leak detection.

[Marcia]

nickfrog said:

Yes as the lubricant is in the gas, so if no gas no lubricant and it will kill the compressor, and lead to big bills.
A mobile specialist will cost you £50/£60 for re-gas, lube and leak detection.

That explains why the compressor went last year,it will have had the leak when i bought it.Will get onto it pronto!