Another Aircon issue – straight re-gassing?

[Air Support]

So having used the car for the first time this year with hot weather, I find that there is zero cooling with the Aircon on – absolutely no difference to the standard air temp from the fan. Some checks yesterday show that the aircon light comes on when I push the fan dial in, the radiator fans come on and the compressor clutch engages, so all appears to be working.

This sounds like a straight regassing issue (last done 3 years ago), but just in case it might be something else, is there anything else I should check first?

Thanks

[R0162]

the fact the fans are coming on would suggest it just needs regassing..

[joust]

If the clutch is going it shouldn't be lack of gas as otherwise the low side sender would stop the clutch engaging I think?

Dead easy to see if it's lack of gas. Look at the top of the dryer down by the nearside front wheel and you'll see a little round indent between the connection in and out on the top. Either clean it off (as it generally is covered in muck), or you may need to pull off the small round sticky label that is over it from new.

You should find underneath the gunk/sticky label the sight glass. Turn the air con on and when the clutch engages see if you can see a steady stream of green fluid passing buy. If you can't see any, or it's got lots of bubbles in it then it needs more gas.

Generally good to find out where the leak is and get it fixed (usually an O-ring or a small hole in the condenser matrix), otherwise you'll be re-gassing it soon enough!

J

[Air Support]

Joust

Really helpful - thanks.
Didn't know any of that and I'll check it out this evening.

Edited by Air Support on Monday 28th May 14:13

[Scooby P1]

On my way back from Jetstream on Saturday, i discovered for the first time that my aircon is dreadful.
In the past the vent by my right hand has sent out some really cold air on warm / hot days.

I know Saturday was a real scorcher, but would that make a difference to how cold the air is coming out of the vents?

[Plumber1]

Scooby P1 said:

On my way back from Jetstream on Saturday, i discovered for the first time that my aircon is dreadful.
In the past the vent by my right hand has sent out some really cold air on warm / hot days.

I know Saturday was a real scorcher, but would that make a difference to how cold the air is coming out of the vents?

The hoses came off the back of the vents on mine, the 2 pointing into the car, might be worth checking, just look through vents, made all the difference when reconnected

[wessexrfc]

Scooby P1 said:

On my way back from Jetstream on Saturday, i discovered for the first time that my aircon is dreadful.
In the past the vent by my right hand has sent out some really cold air on warm / hot days.

I know Saturday was a real scorcher, but would that make a difference to how cold the air is coming out of the vents?

Ambient temps can make a difference on any a/c system. Can't remember how hard it is to get to the compressor,(a tt of a job I'm sure) but a good way of checking the system is fully charged is to look for sweat-back on the suction side of the unit. This pipe is normally lagged, where it joins onto the compressor, pull the lagging back and you should see some condensation after 5 mins or so of running. This will probably be impossible on our cars but works on any A/C system as a rough guide.

[mgbond]

I'm having issues with mine. Light come on and fans come on but no clutch kicking in.

As I've had some wiring done I'm going to get them to check it out.

The 2.5 has the gas level indicator in a difficult place to see but I'll give it a go. Not had it re gassed in the 7yrs I've had it.

Bondy

[JBliss]

Mine used to be very bad (empty) so I had it filled and over a couple of months it leaked and I ended up at square one again. Had it filled again as it was baking outside and it has lasted over 6 months... Very weird!