Air-Con Died :(

[Farhan]

Not best pleased went shopping today absolutely scorching outside. Noticed some steam coming from the car once i parked up, Popped the bonnet had a look and saw a lot of green fluid all on the under tray near the air-con pipes.

The air conditioning pipes also had water on them but i could not see any leaks from the compressor, I vaguely remember when i popped the bonnet and saw steam and water bubbling it was on one of the two pipes just under the headlamps nearer the rubber pipe around there.

I had my air-con re gassed in november last year by kwik-fit everything ran fine until now but im just wondering what could be the cause for the leaks? Also does any one have any solutions to fixing the leaks and help identifying them, I went to Kwik fit and complained but obviously they said as its just a re-gas they dont offer any guarantee's or anything. I was searching for piping and its very expensive for the part only circa £180 for the air con pipe assembly.

Im just wondering rather than just replacing by guessing would anything show up on a VCDS scan to show if a valve or something has failed aswell as that is what i read up by searching?

Thanks for your help

 

[chris.vincent3]

Have a look on ebay mate, just had a look for you and seems alot on there. Only trouble with air con is you cant do it, have to get somone trained to do it. but as yourse has already emptied itself you should be fine..

Also try A3s that are being broken for spares. Only problem is they may not be trained to work on the air con system and wont remove and of the pipes.

 

[mike foster]

I think aircon charge/fix/repair requires special equipment to extract existing gases and re-charge.

I don't think there is a 'cheap fix' unless you know somebody with the right gear and expertise.

 

[Farhan]

eek thanks guys, Looking on google for people who are qualified. Anyone know any specialists within west london?

 

[J.R.]

eek thanks guys, Looking on google for people who are qualified. Anyone know any specialists within west london?

My dad is a Specialist in Air Con and he's a Mechanic also.....Based in Acton ....West London...

Do you want me to send his number over ?

 

[Farhan]

My dad is a Specialist in Air Con and he's a Mechanic also.....Based in Acton ....West London...

Do you want me to send his number over ?

Angel you are lad.

Yea if you could ill give him a call tomorrow

 

[J.R.]

Angel you are lad.

Yea if you could ill give him a call tomorrow

No probs ....

PM Sent...... :icon_thumright:

 

[Rom]

If its discharged, you can safely work on it .
You can get diy charge kits online. Or you can go to a specialist and have it regased.

Its not uncommon (in general) for pipes to eventually break, split, leak etc. The green stuff is most likely the dye, its UV reactive. But is so bright you can see normally too.
Its unlikely the pipe broke due to another faulty part, ie a valve etc. Probably just fatigued.
AC has a high and low pressure side, if it blew, rather than just discgarhed you would know about it.

 

[Kelvin_S]

Mine has also gone, the econ button won't turn off. All well I like the windows down anyways.

 

[Farhan]

Thanks Guys, cheers digz ill see how im lined up tomorrow and ill give him a ring. Mines similar econ button wont go off so im guessing its in a safety mode so it doesnt fry the compressor by letting you turn the air con on.

 

[chris.vincent3]

All good and well buying DIY kits, but if your not qualified to gas it then your not allowed. As if you dont do it right and let the harmful gas escape then you could be due a nice hefty fine.

 

[Rom]

Ac systems have a cut off switch, if there isn't enough gas, it won't turn on. End of story.

F Gas is the license you need to regas aircon.

You would be amazed how many places don't have the license. It's not really enforced.
Came into force 2010 I think. Can't remember.
Defra don't take it seriously enough imo. There is no checking of who has a license etc.

The chances of you getting caught are remote. I'm not saying ignore it. That's your decision. But unless they see you do it...