air conn again

[martin sheppard]

Just as get the air con working on my 130 tdi the air con on my 115 tdi has stopped!

The 115 was re-gassed two weeks ago ready for the wife to go away on holiday for the week, all worked fine.

Today the air con is no more,

compressor and fan are both coming in - no cold on the pipes.

My thoughts are knackered compressor, any suggestions?

[insanitybeard]

Are you sure there isn't a slow leak which has allowed the gas to gradually escape since it was regassed a couple of weeks ago? Usually the compressors fail by seizing or the electromagnetic clutch disintegrates as a result of compressor problems, if the compressor is still rotating/ switching in freely it wouldn't be the first place I'd look to find the cause of the problem, though that's not to say it couldn't be at fault of course.

[johnnyroper]

If fan and comp are coming in that would indicate either compressor knackered or clutch on compressor drive has failed.
With aid of a helper are you able to see if the compressor cuts in when air con switched on or is it just freewheeling?

If it has lost its refrigerant along with locating and repairing the leak I would also be checking the low pressure switch out as that should stop an empty system from operating.

[martin sheppard]

i just assumed that the pressure switch is seeing pressure.

you can see the nuts turning when a/c is called for

[johnnyroper]

Sounds to me like it is either a failed compressor or low fridge with a knackered pressure switch.

Best way to tell cheaply is get some air con gauges put in see what resting pressure is

[martin sheppard]

I agree, the guy did put some dye in and i have a uv torch - guess what i'm doing this week end

[johnnyroper]

I have been looking at my air con and recently found out the receiver/drier filter in end of condenser can leak from the cap. Apparently very difficult to trace as they leak slowly.

There is a plastic dust cap on top pop that off and have a look in to see if there is a crusty build up,you can also put some soapy water in see if any bubbles form around the aluminium cap/circlip.