L-series working again and Aircon issues

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Happyhippo

Happyhippo

Active Member
Posts
122
hello all, been a while since I posted. I've been busy! Fitted new engine and the hippo is working well, and I'm happy again! A few minor issues like fitting new clutch hydraulics which appeared to need bleeding and blowing off the turbo hose but I can cope with these.(I saw a post on here which talked of allowing air to rise in the pipe work and allowing it to bleed out naturally. It worked for me!)

Trouble is now that it's warmer I could do with the Aircon working again. Everything is refitted but before I recharge the system, I bought a new receiver/drier. When I tried to fit it, I found that the thread for the pressure sensor is different from that in the existing accumulator. I have two new accumulators both bought for 2000my XEDi and both have the same sensor thread but different from the original. I wouldn't mind buying a new sensor if I could be sure it would fit and work.

I'm no expert with Aircon but just tried to ensure everything is clean and gas tight. Also I wondered about just recharging system without renewing accumulator? Or even warming up it up in the oven to try to dry it out.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Happyhippo
 
If the piping has been open to the atmosphere for any length of time, then the drier will need replacing of rejuvenating. I'm not sure how you'd go about rejuvenating it though, but I suspect heating the drying medium in an oven would work. I did that with the dryer balls in the suspension pump of my D3.

I'm assuming that the pressure switch has been superceded at some point. Your best bet is to order a switch but measure the thread at the supplier, before parting with the cash;)
 
Last edited:
the vacuum cycle in the recharging procedure removes moisture from the system.putting the system into deep vacuum causes moisture to boil off.
it can be a difficult concept to grasp but it works....increasing pressure eg using a pressure cap on your cooling system increases the pressure raising the boiling point of water....the reverse is also true,decrease the pressure lowers the boiling point so under a deep enough vacuum the water/moisture in the system boils away.
when i do a regas on a system thats been empty for a while i leave the vac pump running as long as i can...i have left some vaccing overnight,there is no maximum vac time.
 
Thanks guys for your helpful replies. It always helps to share problems!
I think I understand the principle of the deep vacuum and it sounds like it could be worth a try.
 
Hi Mate, definitely take it to a real A/C guy with all the gizmos. It should be pulled to a vacuum and held for at least 30 - 45 mins. (or more as Nodge and Xamtex say depending on previous state)
Then refilled and if necessary lube added.
Any of the supermarket 'kits' are crap. Luckily in Portugal there is an A/C place every couple of KM's.
It definitively is worth going to a specialist - it should be reasonably cost effective for a one of fix. !. the vac test will tell you most of what you need to know - if not all.
Hope you get it sorted. My L series is great on A/C up to about 30 - 32 C ! above that it struggles a bit :) - and recently we have had 40 C - in the shade ! - but it still was 'ok' . Even the bride's almost new Fiat Panda (the best town car ever made ! - lol :) ) which as the best A/C I have ever seen struggled in those temps. - and. 40 was in the SHADE - NOT on the open roads in direct sunshine where it was freeking unbelievably bloody hot !! - takes your breath away :(
No idea where you are happy man as you don't say. but if in the UK, the A/C should freeze yer nuts off. :p
 
I've proved my AC works these last few days. My car is parked in shade over night, so isn't too hot first thing. I've driven to work with the AC running, keeping the interior cool. When I opened the door at work, I was shocked just how hot the outside air was!!
The AC is able to keep up with cooling in our climate, maybe up to 30°. I suspect it would struggle over that temperature. Luckily we don't get silly high temperatures here.
 
Nodge68 said:
I've proved my AC works these last few days. My car is parked in shade over night, so isn't too hot first thing. I've driven to work with the AC running, keeping the interior cool. When I opened the door at work, I was shocked just how hot the outside air was!!
The AC is able to keep up with cooling in our climate, maybe up to 30°. I suspect it would struggle over that temperature. Luckily we don't get silly high temperatures here.
Click to expand...
Hi Nodge, the A/C should be able to bring the temps down to around 4 / 5 C in ambient 30 / 34C no worries. I cannot see any difference in part numbers for the EU models so should be the same. One issue with the Hippo is the huge amount of glass leading to a greenhouse effect inside - yikes. :eek:
As I am 100% sure you know - but for clarification - the a/c likes and NEEDS to be on and hammered all the time - even in winter. I always have it on - virtually 365 as in winter if I don't the windows mist up. Leaving it off in the winter is the very worst one can do.
If it is not needed in the UK, then it should be activated and used for a day at least once per months without fail.
Apart from the general 'blower' system in the hippo being like a ' weak fart in a hurricane' :) = the a/c is good - really good/... only the centre vents are worth using imho and experience. Just point em up and down ...... I also tend to use the recirc on a lot of the time - both winter and summer ! - if it is 40C outside the recirc can offer a nearly 10 c cooling advantage ! (seriously !!!)- in the winter - it removes the condensation superbly.
A/C and Recirc is a normal combo for me.
Joe
 
Cheers guys, thanks for your replies. Nuts still firmly in place! Temperature here in South Bucks yesterday and today 32 degrees C!
I've given up with the sunroof which is now sealed shut and to be honest, I mainly use the Aircon for demisting but with these temps any cooling is a bonus! I'll try the Aircon specialist route and keep you posted.
 
Joe_H said:
Hi Nodge, the A/C should be able to bring the temps down to around 4 / 5 C in ambient 30 / 34C no worries. I cannot see any difference in part numbers for the EU models so should be the same. One issue with the Hippo is the huge amount of glass leading to a greenhouse effect inside - yikes. :eek:
As I am 100% sure you know - but for clarification - the a/c likes and NEEDS to be on and hammered all the time - even in winter. I always have it on - virtually 365 as in winter if I don't the windows mist up. Leaving it off in the winter is the very worst one can do.
If it is not needed in the UK, then it should be activated and used for a day at least once per months without fail.
Apart from the general 'blower' system in the hippo being like a ' weak fart in a hurricane' :) = the a/c is good - really good/... only the centre vents are worth using imho and experience. Just point em up and down ...... I also tend to use the recirc on a lot of the time - both winter and summer ! - if it is 40C outside the recirc can offer a nearly 10 c cooling advantage ! (seriously !!!)- in the winter - it removes the condensation superbly.
A/C and Recirc is a normal combo for me.
Joe
Click to expand...
My normal heater control position is at the windscreen/ floor setting. On the Freelander, this position runs the AC automatically. So AC fluid stagnation won't occur in my car.
When it's really hot out, I use AC set to face or face/ floor. If I need extra cooling I'll switch on recirc to give an extra boost. Luckily my SE doesn't get too hot due to the window tints in the back. The front leather seats get really hot, while the rears stay cool.
It's all good fun this Freelandering, isn't it.
 
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