Air Con - 2003 Veccy

Typical - Air Con working ok until couple of weeks ago. Now a really hot
day and suddenly it's blowing uncool air.

All looks and sounds normal - so it's a job for an expert.

So I'd be really glad of any tips on what I can check in advance to avoid
being ripped off (I don't want to be paying unnecessarily for condenser,
compressor, re-gas etc).

And any thoughts on the mobile "come to your house" people versus "ordinary"
garage?

TIA

 

When was it last serviced? May have just been losing it slowly, or may have
suddenly developed a more serious leak, or could be completely different
fault (pressure switch, etc).

As it's turned cold you'll probably be waiting until next summer anyway, but
if you happen to be in Dorset, I'll do a full diagnosis / leak test for £25
and a regas if that's what it needs for a further £20.

www.poolecool.co.uk

 

Thanks for that. Sadly, I'm a longish way from Poole. Don't know whether
the AC has ever been serviced. Bought car 6 months ago, had full service
which prob omitted AC. It went suddenly - one day fine, the next day
nothing (except uncool air).

Can you tell me how to avoid being ripped off? - I know next to nothing
about AC.

And would it be a good or bad thing to leave it until next summer?

TIA

 

When was it last serviced? May have just been losing it slowly, or may

If it was working fine, then nothing, if it's a leak, it's a big one (stone
through condensor, etc). I've seen a few Vectras where the intake pipe
(before the air filter) has been rubbing on the ac pipes just near the
service valves (on the left looking into the engine bay from the front) and
worn a hole in it.

If there's a big leak, you don't really want water / muck getting into the
system over winter.

Does the compressor clutch click in when you switch it on? If so, you
probably have a bit of positive pressure remaining, but not enough to cool.
In this case, you might hear hissing behind the dash as gas instead of
condensed refrigerant goes through the expansion valve.

If not, you've lost all the gas or there's some other fault, it's not easy
to tell without looking at the pressures.












AC is useful on those damp misty days to clear the windows.

 

Thanks again for taking time to give a detailed reply.

It certainly seemed to go from working to not working quite suddenly - so
seems ominous. I'll check the rubbing thing once the rain stops...:-(

As mentioned in my OP, everything sounds perfectly normal - no hissing etc.

Good point re. clearing windows. In view of that, I won't delay biting the
bullet and will (probably) try the local "mobile" AC company - and report
back when I've recovered from the shock.... (Unless you fancy moving your
business from Poole !!)

Thanks again

 

Maybe you can find another good economical mobile tech in your area - try
google, yellow pages, etc.





www.poolecool.co.uk