A/C info

[rapidyellow]

I bought a grande punto last year, the AC wasnt working so I took it to kwikfit to have it charged - you never know with these things, it wouldnt hold the pressure so they gave me my money back [one of the reasons I went there], and I left it at that as winter was on its way and I couldnt be bothered with trying to repair it.


so along came summer last week, and thoughts turned to the AC again.

having looked inside the front bumper grilles, the guts of the fins are hanging out the AC Condenser, so chances are that it will be that at fault but its a bumper off job to replace, certainly to inspect proper.

I can get a new condenser for £45, I would like to take my chance on replacing it and going for another recharge, but is there likely to be any other problems as I don't know how long the car AC hasnt worked for?


I think it will become more eveident on bumper removal, oil has certainly come from the rad area, so perhaps its AC oil, and that could only have come from the condenser.

KF recovered any gas they put in, so theres no pressure to worry about upon dismantling the condenser.


ta

[dodgerover]

They wouldn't have put any gas into the system, they would have checked it to see if it would hold a vacuum first.
The dryer unit might need replacement if damp had got in.

[rapidyellow]

May 23, 2020 18:15:52 GMT dodgerover said:

They wouldn't have put any gas into the system, they would have checked it to see if it would hold a vacuum first.

of course

The dryer unit might need replacement if damp had got in.

I assume theres no way of checking that, wherever it may be.

[dodgerover]

Not really, they aren't expensive to replace though so worth doing if the system has been open for a while.

[wildy]

any use? Dryer
Definitely worth changing.

[dog]

If you decide to renew the condenser you would be better off renewing the seals aswel, you need to use the correct seals not some random rubber o rings as these are not suitable and will fail over a short period.

[rapidyellow]

May 24, 2020 10:09:44 GMT wildy said:

any use? Dryer
Definitely worth changing.

have put that on my watch list

need to get bumper off first and have a good look to see what I need, looking at my CD Manual the drier is part of the condenser:

[rapidyellow]

May 24, 2020 11:02:09 GMT dog said:

If you decide to renew the condenser you would be better off renewing the seals aswel, you need to use the correct seals not some random rubber o rings as these are not suitable and will fail over a short period.

will do, its the green type I have seen them before, even halfords sell them in a mixed pack but it will be another ebay item I think.

[madmog]

How long should the green O rings last? When air con needs re-gassing is it normal or because one of those is leaking?

[lrman]

Use your air conditioning all year round just leave it switched on and turn temp up/ down. The o rings need oil to keep there size otherwise they shrink and all the gas leaks out. 10% loss a year is normal anyway so have your system serviced every few years. When you fit new o rings rub oil over them while fitting so they expand once the joint is bolted up. Use the correct oil for your compressor aswell.

[madmog]

Jun 12, 2020 19:27:03 GMT lrman said:

Use your air conditioning all year round just leave it switched on and turn temp up/ down. The o rings need oil to keep there size otherwise they shrink and all the gas leaks out. 10% loss a year is normal anyway so have your system serviced every few years. When you fit new o rings rub oil over them while fitting so they expand once the joint is bolted up. Use the correct oil for your compressor aswell.

This is good to know. I'm fitting a separate air con unit. I can have heating on and leave the air con compressor connected but low.

[rapidyellow]

I couldnt get the bumper off due to rusted and rounded off bolts, so the idea of getting my condenser out to look at it proper is now shelved.