Aircon Fixing Help & Exhaust/Engine Advice Needed Please!

[LanciaNut69]

Have been trying to sort out a few problems with my AEB B5 2001 A4 Avant (1.8SE) (just gone over 100k miles) - Have cleared the SRS light, but that's another story!

Anyhoo, aircon hasn't really ever blown cold air and we're going to driving through France in July/August and I want to get it sorted! It has been gassed not long ago and I'm pretty happy that it's not a problem. Also the ECON light comes on and off with the switch as it should do.

I have run the codes on the unit using the recirculate & up arrow, and whilst C1 has returned a 0, I have a number of errors on the following: -

C32 - 219
C33 - 178
C34 - 37
C35 - 24

According the lists, these are respectively, temp flap, A/c flap, Fuss/Def flap and ram air flaps.

Question is - where do I find all of these to clean? Is this likely to help or maybe indicative of another problem?

The aircon pump was changed 2 years ago - not sure if any of the other components were changed.

Any advice/pointers gratefully received!

The other issue I think is either exhaust or engine mount related. I had to replace the downpipe & CAT prior to the MOT. The type I have has the flexipipe, CAT and EGT sensor all in the same piece. I replaced this using a new proper sleeve, but since then, I get a vibration/knocking when turning left - particularly on roundabouts. It's definitely exhaust banging and and nothing else. Just wondering if it's something I've missed on refitting that section of exhaust (rest of system was left in place) or if I have engine/gearbox mounts that are on their way out.

Right, over you lot who know! Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Darren

 

[ScottD3]

I've no idea to be honest.
But have you checks the flap motors are plugged in?

Do you have a copy of VCDS?

 

[aragorn]

If the error counters are static then there probably isnt any problem. If there is an issue they'll be all over the place, jumping around.

Is the compressor actually engaging?

 

[murran]

while its ticking over with the aircon on. feel the pipes under the bonnet..... are they ice cold? if the pumps working, its gassed and the high/low pressure switch is ok then they should be.
if they are then it may well be a flap problem not directing air thru the cold bit in the heater box......

take the glove box and lower cover down from the drivers side. look for the motors..........
then while looking, press each of the buttons to operate the motors/temperature/flaps.
do they all seem to move in turn when certain buttons are pressed?
is there one not working/moving? unbolt the motor but dont unplug it.... then move the flap lever yourself? can you get the air coming out of the vents colder by moving the flap lever into certain positions?

 

[aragorn]

I'm pretty sure all the air passes over the evaporator, theres no path around it.

The blend flaps just control how much air passes over the heater matrix.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Scott - I haven't unplugged them, so I guess they're plugged in? I'll have to get a copy of the workshop manual and see where they are - is it a fairly easy job to get to them?

I have VCDS lite, but I'm getting connection errors with the software - it will connect but reading faults is a problem. Poss that the anti-virus software is getting in the way - just got to figure out a way to disable it!

Cheers

Darren

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Aragorn,

Yep, the figures are all static and compressor is engaging. I know my old Man had a similar problem with the aircon on is A6 Allroad, and apparently there's a diverter valve that sticks, but his is an '05 and apparently a different system. Don't particularly want to have to strip the whole system out, check clean and put back in if I can help it, but I need to get it sorted or the family and I are gonna fry in France!

Cheers

Darren

If the error counters are static then there probably isnt any problem. If there is an issue they'll be all over the place, jumping around.

Is the compressor actually engaging?

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Murran,

That certainly makes sense - I'll do that then and see where we are. Can't work on it tomorrow as off to Santa Pod for the race retro in the Montecarlo - come over and say hi if you're there - I'm on the BetaBoyz stand.

I'll report back my findings.

Cheers

Darren

while its ticking over with the aircon on. feel the pipes under the bonnet..... are they ice cold? if the pumps working, its gassed and the high/low pressure switch is ok then they should be.
if they are then it may well be a flap problem not directing air thru the cold bit in the heater box......

take the glove box and lower cover down from the drivers side. look for the motors..........
then while looking, press each of the buttons to operate the motors/temperature/flaps.
do they all seem to move in turn when certain buttons are pressed?
is there one not working/moving? unbolt the motor but dont unplug it.... then move the flap lever yourself? can you get the air coming out of the vents colder by moving the flap lever into certain positions?

 

[LanciaNut69]

If that's the case, then maybe there's a flap or valve that just isn't working?

Cheers

Darren

I'm pretty sure all the air passes over the evaporator, theres no path around it.

The blend flaps just control how much air passes over the heater matrix.

 

[aragorn]

Forgetting about the AC, does it correctly shift from "cool/ambient" to "hot" if you adjust the temperature up and down? If so, the blend flaps are fine.

If so, i'd see about having the system regassed, and perhaps the dryer replaced. A decent company will do a leak check as well.

If the blend flap motors were faulty you'd see those error counters jumping all over the place. I had a faulty temperature flap motor, and when driving the air from the vents was constantly changing from cool to hot and back to cool.

 

[murran]

if you simply feel the ally pipes under the bonnet when the aircon is on..... if theyre ice cold then the problem isnt with the gassing, pump, dryer etc.

are the pipes cold or not?

 

[AndyMac]

Check the aircon rad fan is kicking in as well. It's the one at the back of the main radiator. They are a common failure and a cheap and easy fix, about £80 from GSF.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Aragorn,

I thought that those C numbers were error counts rather than values? Anyway, yes it does heat the car, so maybe you're right on the flaps and holding on to the pipes is a lot easier than pulling panels off - I'll check later when the car is back and report back.

Is there anything else that should be changed at the same time as the dryer? Presumably that's a DIY fit or should it be done by a specialist? There seem to be wildly different pricing for these things - AP Lockheed being cheap to OE expensive. More than happy with AP's brake calipers, so assume that rest of the equipment is ok?

Cheers

Darren

Forgetting about the AC, does it correctly shift from "cool/ambient" to "hot" if you adjust the temperature up and down? If so, the blend flaps are fine.

If so, i'd see about having the system regassed, and perhaps the dryer replaced. A decent company will do a leak check as well.

If the blend flap motors were faulty you'd see those error counters jumping all over the place. I had a faulty temperature flap motor, and when driving the air from the vents was constantly changing from cool to hot and back to cool.

 

[LanciaNut69]

if you simply feel the ally pipes under the bonnet when the aircon is on..... if theyre ice cold then the problem isnt with the gassing, pump, dryer etc.

are the pipes cold or not?

Will check and report back - meant to do it yesterday, but didn't get back from Santa Pod til late and then just needed a beer!

Cheers

Darren

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi AndyMac,

Thanks for the input - will the fan come on as soon as the AC is on? I'll turn the temp down to 'Lo' and see what everything is doing.

Aren't there 2 fans on the rad?

Cheers

Darren

Check the aircon rad fan is kicking in as well. It's the one at the back of the main radiator. They are a common failure and a cheap and easy fix, about £80 from GSF.

 

[aragorn]

Theres one fan driven by the engine that runs all the time, and another electric one that should come on with the AC.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Thanks Aragorn - will report back

Cheers

Darren

Theres one fan driven by the engine that runs all the time, and another electric one that should come on with the AC.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Right, update time.

Just been out (in the rain!) to see where we are. Engine running, stat set to 'Lo' - both fans running. Pipes are not getting chilled, so I'm guessing that when the pump was replaced, they didn't change the dryer. Can I change the dryer and then go get the system leak tested/regassed, or is it something that can only be tackled by an aircon specialist?

Thanks guys and look forward to hearing from you!

Darren

 

[ScottD3]

Right, update time.

Just been out (in the rain!) to see where we are. Engine running, stat set to 'Lo' - both fans running. Pipes are not getting chilled, so I'm guessing that when the pump was replaced, they didn't change the dryer. Can I change the dryer and then go get the system leak tested/regassed, or is it something that can only be tackled by an aircon specialist?

Thanks guys and look forward to hearing from you!

Darren

The dryer is easy.
remove both pipes, remove dryer and reattach.

I'd replace the seals as well though.

Make sure the system is degassed before you do it.
You don't want a face of the stuff. Its not nice. trust me

 

[LanciaNut69]

Thanks Scott - can see dryers on ebay - any recommendation AP Lockheed or other?

This looks too good to be true - AUDI A4,A6,80 ,100 AIR CONDITIONING DRYER TSP0175282 | eBay


This AIR CONDITIONING RECEIVER DRYER for Audi | eBay or this AUDI A4 RECEIVER/DRYER/AIR CONDITIONING | eBay seem more on the money, or is the Lockheed one ok.

No mention of seals though - dealer part only?

Thanks for the pointers on fitting.

Cheers

Darren

The dryer is easy.
remove both pipes, remove dryer and reattach.

I'd replace the seals as well though.

Make sure the system is degassed before you do it.
You don't want a face of the stuff. Its not nice. trust me

 

[murran]

is it definatly gassed? does the pump cut in? ie the clutch on the front of the pulley is going round (not just the bit the belt works on)? might be as simple as a broken wire to the clutch.

 

[aragorn]

I'd get an AC specialist to change the drier and regas as the same time if you go down that route.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Murran, pump definitely cuts in and out when the aircon is set to low, as does the electric fan. Clutch is working properly too. Assume that it's gassed as ECON light goes on and off on the button.

is it definatly gassed? does the pump cut in? ie the clutch on the front of the pulley is going round (not just the bit the belt works on)? might be as simple as a broken wire to the clutch.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Aragorn, thanks for that - maybe I'll try a few local places and get some quotes. Anyone got a recommended place in or around Newbury/Basingstoke?

Cheers

Darren

I'd get an AC specialist to change the drier and regas as the same time if you go down that route.

 

[murran]

id go with others advice then and change the drier.
personally ive never changed one as a cause of the system not performing. only cus of them being damaged by minor accidents or being holed by stones/corrosion etc.

 

[LanciaNut69]

Hi Murran,

I think we're to the stage now where it's got to be checked for gas and then look at getting a quote for dryer. If it's low on gas anyway, I'll probably change the dryer meself and the get the system regassed.

I'll keep you posted on progress.

I did do a check check of the vents as far as I could and I can hear then move when you select the manual controls so I think we're getting near to the cause.

Cheers

Darren

Still need some advice on the exhaust/engine mounts though please!

id go with others advice then and change the drier.
personally ive never changed one as a cause of the system not performing. only cus of them being damaged by minor accidents or being holed by stones/corrosion etc.