Airconditioning

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kermit_rr

kermit_rr

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Location
North Shropshire
I think I've decided now is the right time to recommission my aircon.
I have no clue what state the system is in, nor if there is any oil in any part. The system has had the condenser missing for several years and been open to the atmosphere during that time.
RAVE states a combined total of 160cm3 of oil in the various parts. RAVE also states after a rapid discharge, most of the oil will be lost and to drain remaining oil from the compressor and refill with 130cm3. Thats not 160cm3!! RAVE doesn't say anything about the missing 30cm3 or adding any oil to any other part of the system.
My plan is to drain the compressor, swill some fresh oil through, drain again and refill as per RAVE. Remove the 2 pipes which have been directly open to the world and clean with degreaser, then swill with oil, refit along with new drier and condenser.
vacuum the system and check for leaks, assuming thats OK, leave a vacuum for a couple of hours to get all the moisture out then fill with gas and hope for the best.
Does this sound right? Anything I've missed or you think I should do differently?
 
kermit_rr said:
I think I've decided now is the right time to recommission my aircon.
I have no clue what state the system is in, nor if there is any oil in any part. The system has had the condenser missing for several years and been open to the atmosphere during that time.
RAVE states a combined total of 160cm3 of oil in the various parts. RAVE also states after a rapid discharge, most of the oil will be lost and to drain remaining oil from the compressor and refill with 130cm3. Thats not 160cm3!! RAVE doesn't say anything about the missing 30cm3 or adding any oil to any other part of the system.
My plan is to drain the compressor, swill some fresh oil through, drain again and refill as per RAVE. Remove the 2 pipes which have been directly open to the world and clean with degreaser, then swill with oil, refit along with new drier and condenser.
vacuum the system and check for leaks, assuming thats OK, leave a vacuum for a couple of hours to get all the moisture out then fill with gas and hope for the best.
Does this sound right? Anything I've missed or you think I should do differently?
Click to expand...
On another subject I was sitting in the car before and remembered you saying that you can select motorway height if you press the inhibit switch then select it, you are correct,I pressed inhibit and got EAS manual mode or similar message on the dash and was able to select motorway height. I've owned this car since 2005 and never knew that,you live and learn.:D
 
Last edited:
tomcat59alan said:
I don't think I would be putting degreaser into the system, .
Click to expand...
I just meant into the pipe while it's on the bench then rinse out with compressor oil? Was suggested to me by someone who does AC for their day job.. the same guy who said it would be ok to leave the manky old oil in and just hope it works
 
tomcat59alan said:
On another subject I was sitting in the car before and remembered you saying that you can select motorway height if you press the inhibit switch the select it, you are correct,I pressed inhibit and got EAS manual mode or similar message on the dash and was able to select motorway height. I've owned this car since 2005 and never knew that,you live and learn.:D
Click to expand...
It does say in the user manual :rolleyes: :D
 
Ready to start 'AddToBasket'!!

Seems a 2 stage pump is the way to go, i guess the cfm reading is just how quickly it can pump? Not sure whether to get 3cfm or if 1.5cfm will suffice
 
With an A/C system that has been open to the elements that long, it can't be commissioned by you without the correct equipment.

It'll need the moisture vacuumed out of the system and it tested with Nitrogen before any refrigerant goes in there ;)
 
Henry_b said:
With an A/C system that has been open to the elements that long, it can't be commissioned by you without the correct equipment.

It'll need the moisture vacuumed out of the system and it tested with Nitrogen before any refrigerant goes in there ;)
Click to expand...
That's why i was going to get a pump :D to get the water out :D can't you use normal air to pressure test? Sure it will be moist, but the site in the system is already moist
 
pete12345 said:
They do the sometimes use air in garages but it’s only normally a very quick test because of the compressor
Click to expand...
Is that because of contaminating the oil with water?
I'll be changing my oil, so could pressure test, then change the oil, change the drier, then do a vacuum? Back to plan A and do it myself?
 
I lost all the gas a few years ago in mine. Did a pressure test with air to find the leak, which turned out to be the condenser top, just under the slam panel. Fitted new condenser & replaced most of the o-rings around the system. Then garage did vacuum for an hour or two to get air & moisture out. New gas in and it's worked well ever since. Remember open to atmosphere & compressed air will both get moisture in the system, so a reasonable long vacuum should work in both cases.

The only exception was during the really hot days earlier this year the compressor would not kick in after 3-4 hours in the sun. Later in the evening & next day it kicked in perfectly. I suspect the gap has got a bit large, plus need to check the right footwell connectors !! It really needs the LR relay mod doing because it's got the older HEVAC with direct drive.
 
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