I trust when you had it gassed they did a Vac test to ensure no leaks..!!

Can you use the Nanocom to force move the blend motors or do a blend motor calibration??

Could be the Motors are travelling fully to the cold position and allowing warm air through...

Also remember the P38 Aircon light needs to be OFF when the A/C is ON....stupid to have a light to tell you when something is off but hey-ho....

If the clutch is enaging and the compressor is turning that must mean there is at least some pressure in there.

Could be a dicky expansion valve- but then if they managed to get the full gas charge in then it is getting past the expansion valve....
 
I trust when you had it gassed they did a Vac test to ensure no leaks..!!

Can you use the Nanocom to force move the blend motors or do a blend motor calibration??

Could be the Motors are travelling fully to the cold position and allowing warm air through...

Also remember the P38 Aircon light needs to be OFF when the A/C is ON....stupid to have a light to tell you when something is off but hey-ho....

If the clutch is enaging and the compressor is turning that must mean there is at least some pressure in there.

Could be a dicky expansion valve- but then if they managed to get the full gas charge in then it is getting past the expansion valve....

We are talking Halfords. The £9.99 is just for them to do the act. It is a top up service - no diagnostics or checking. When I last did a regas, leaks were visible at the condenser joints.

Nanocom allows full movement of blend motors.

Re lights, yes I know about that but Wayne (Kev or Stu - not sure) of Halfords wasn't convinced.

There is a hissing which Rave says is probably due to undercharge - expansion valve.

My thinking is that the system had semi-seized due to disuse for a couple of years. Datatek has said that it is a big volume system yet Halfords didn't use a full can. I think that there is enough in now to have unseized the components and that further charging is the answer. Does this sound credible?

G~
 
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We are talking Halfords. The £9.99 is just for them to do the act. It is a top up service - no diagnostics or checking. When I last did a regas, leaks were visible at the condenser joints.

Nanocom allows full movement of blend motors.

Re lights, yes I know about that but Wayne (Kev or Stu - not sure) of Halfords wasn't convinced.

There is a hissing which Rave says is probably due to undercharge - expansion valve.

My thinking is that the system had semi-seized due to disuse for a couple of years. Datatek has said that it is a big volume system yet Halfords didn't use a full can. I think that there is enough in now to have unseized the components and that further charging is the answer. Does this sound credible?

G~

Halfrauds used a CAN:eek: When you have had the pipes off, it needs a vac to get the old gas and moisture out and to check for leaks, then it needs a re-charge with the correct amount of gas and oil:)
One pipe from the compressor should be freezing cold, the other should be red hot.
 
Halfrauds used a CAN:eek: When you have had the pipes off, it needs a vac to get the old gas and moisture out and to check for leaks, then it needs a re-charge with the correct amount of gas and oil:)
One pipe from the compressor should be freezing cold, the other should be red hot.
As above - they need to do a vac and it will need more than just one can to fill the system - if they couldn't get all thatone can in, either the compressor wasn't running to pull it through or there is a blockage somewhere most likely the expansion valve....

Also on the subject of Compressor pipes - I thought they would both be warm as the compressor is in the circuit after the cabin heat exchanger so the gas would be hot (as it has taken all the heat out o the input air) it then goes through the condensor which cools it back down again....

I could be very wrong, i'm not a A/C engineer, but I would have expected the pipes on either side of the condensor to be different not at the compressor....

EDIT:

Just read the operation description in RAVE - yep both pipes would be different temps - with one hot and the other cool/warm - the pipes from the condensor would also be warm too - the sudden drop in pressure across the expansion valve in the evapourator is what creates the lower temperature and lower pressure to draw heat out of the input air which returns to the compressor as low pressure and warm....

Everyday is a school day!
 
Last edited:
As above - they need to do a vac and it will need more than just one can to fill the system - if they couldn't get all thatone can in, either the compressor wasn't running to pull it through or there is a blockage somewhere most likely the expansion valve....

Also on the subject of Compressor pipes - I thought they would both be warm as the compressor is in the circuit after the cabin heat exchanger so the gas would be hot (as it has taken all the heat out o the input air) it then goes through the condensor which cools it back down again....

I could be very wrong, i'm not a A/C engineer, but I would have expected the pipes on either side of the condensor to be different not at the compressor....

Go out and check yours Ant. One should be hot the other cold:)
 
As above - they need to do a vac and it will need more than just one can to fill the system - if they couldn't get all thatone can in, either the compressor wasn't running to pull it through or there is a blockage somewhere most likely the expansion valve....

Also on the subject of Compressor pipes - I thought they would both be warm as the compressor is in the circuit after the cabin heat exchanger so the gas would be hot (as it has taken all the heat out o the input air) it then goes through the condensor which cools it back down again....

I could be very wrong, i'm not a A/C engineer, but I would have expected the pipes on either side of the condensor to be different not at the compressor....

There was a compressor fault at the time of charging (clutch fault) but, even with the inadequate fill, that has cleared.

I'll take it back for the rest of the can to be put in and see how it goes. Otherwise off to the other experts "Kwik-Fit"

G~
 
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There was a compressor fault at the time of charging (clutch fault) but, even with the inadequate fill, that has cleared.

I'll take it back for the rest of the can to be put in and see how it goes. Otherwise off to the other experts "Kwik-Fit"

G~
The Can wouldn't have the oommppphh to fill the whole system, just enought to tell the dual pressure switch there is some pressure in the system - hence why the book symbol has gone - but there is not enough in the system commit efficent and correct cooling....the compressor needs to be turning to pull the gas fully round the system, the charge won't take without it, unless they force the gas in using one of those big machine things.....

The Vac test will prove the system mostly, and then when they fill this vacuum will pull in most of the gas, the mchine and the compressor pump will pull therest in and circulate it fully....

Forget going to the can again - just go to a Kwik Fit or a decent A/C service station.
 
We are talking Halfords. The £9.99 is just for them to do the act. It is a top up service - no diagnostics or checking. When I last did a regas, leaks were visible at the condenser joints.

Nanocom allows full movement of blend motors.

Re lights, yes I know about that but Wayne (Kev or Stu - not sure) of Halfords wasn't convinced.

There is a hissing which Rave says is probably due to undercharge - expansion valve.

My thinking is that the system had semi-seized due to disuse for a couple of years. Datatek has said that it is a big volume system yet Halfords didn't use a full can. I think that there is enough in now to have unseized the components and that further charging is the answer. Does this sound credible?

G~

Are you saying they just stuck a tin of refrigerant in it. If you have changed the condenser it needs vacuuming down and the correct amount of oil and refrigerant putting in. You do not want air in the system specially if it's moist air or the expansion valve will ice up. Bloody kacky job if you ask me.
 
There was a compressor fault at the time of charging (clutch fault) but, even with the inadequate fill, that has cleared.

I'll take it back for the rest of the can to be put in and see how it goes. Otherwise off to the other experts "Kwik-Fit"

G~

Don't waste your time with the can, as I and the other 2 have said, get it vacuumed out, leak tested and then refilled:)
 
Don't waste your time with the can, as I and the other 2 have said, get it vacuumed out, leak tested and then refilled:)

but, but, but........

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/aircon-not-cold-where-start-159013-2.html

"Mine had the same symptoms as yours, it was the condensor failed. Easy DIY to change the condensor then off for a re-gas. I used a cannister from Ebay everyone says don't but it's still working 2 years on. (Ebay is cheaper than Halfrauds and they ain't in France)" - Datatek - 25 July 2011

G~
 
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ooooohhhh this could get interesting :pop2:

I hope not. Datatek is one of my favourite posters. I had that post in mind when going for a quick and dirty remedy. I'm not grumbling. The board offers experience and advice but the reader makes the decisions. Just a bit confused.

G~
 
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but, but, but........

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/aircon-not-cold-where-start-159013-2.html

"Mine had the same symptoms as yours, it was the condensor failed. Easy DIY to change the condensor then off for a re-gas. I used a cannister from Ebay everyone says don't but it's still working 2 years on. (Ebay is cheaper than Halfrauds and they ain't in France)" - Datatek - 25 July 2011

G~


Different situation to yours. Aircon was vacuumed out and a leak found. mate re-filled it free while I was in the UK, it lasted 2 weeks while I was on holiday. I got a new condensor pre-charged with oil and did the swap very quickly on a hot dry day to avoid the ingress of moisture. I re-charged with a can to test it, fully intending to have the job done properly if all was OK, however it worked so well I have never bothered. The can was from the US and contained the correct amount of gas + lubricant and a pressure guage.
 
Different situation to yours. Aircon was vacuumed out and a leak found. mate re-filled it free while I was in the UK, it lasted 2 weeks while I was on holiday. I got a new condensor pre-charged with oil and did the swap very quickly on a hot dry day to avoid the ingress of moisture. I re-charged with a can to test it, fully intending to have the job done properly if all was OK, however it worked so well I have never bothered. The can was from the US and contained the correct amount of gas + lubricant and a pressure guage.

The history of this is that I had a mobile blokey come out a few years ago. He gassed without the leak pre-check and there was a leak on the condenser. I was a bit miffed as I had to lash out for a fix that didn't work.

Quite honestly, a/c is not a big issue in the UK but I'm fond of the bus and decided to give it a bit of TLC this year. Wammers has chided me already for my neglectful attitude.

I've never owned a car with a/c before and those I've borrowed, in South Africa where they work harder, were all fecked.

I thought that it would be rather fun to have it working. Not a big thing and I doubt if I'll use it much because I smoke.

The gas can didn't work yesterday but did enough to get the compressor clutch going. Having paid the money already, I took it back to Halfords today to get the rest of the can in. It was getting better so I put another lot in and now it is working fine.

I know that it is not the proper way of doing things and when the next cheque come in, I will follow the correct advice (PROMISE, promise, promise)

Datatek has explained the rationale for what, at first glance, might have seemed inconsistent. I will stick to the vac, leak check and then re-gas as he and others advised.

Now need to work on that next cheque.

Over the past couple of months, this site has helped me get the bus moving, serviced and cool. I'm glued to it - at the expense of incoming cheques!!!



G~
 
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The history of this is that I had a mobile blokey come out a few years ago. He gassed without the leak pre-check and there was a leak on the condenser. I was a bit miffed as I had to lash out for a fix that didn't work.

Quite honestly, a/c is not a big issue in the UK but I'm fond of the bus and decided to give it a bit of TLC this year. Wammers has chided me already for my neglectful attitude.

I've never owned a car with a/c before and those I've borrowed, in South Africa where they work harder, were all fecked.

I thought that it would be rather fun to have it working. Not a big thing and I doubt if I'll use it much because I smoke.

The gas can didn't work yesterday but did enough to get the compressor clutch going. Having paid the money already, I took it back to Halfords today to get the rest of the can in. It was getting better so I put another lot in and now it is working fine.

I know that it is not the proper way of doing things and when the next cheque come in, I will follow the correct advice (PROMISE, promise, promise)

Datatek has explained the rationale for what, at first glance, might have seemed inconsistent. I will stick to the vac, leak check and then re-gas as he and others advised.

Now need to work on that next cheque.

Over the past couple of months, this site has helped me get the bus moving, serviced and cool. I'm glued to it - at the expense of incoming cheques!!!



G~

Aircon is a boon in winter as it removes the moisture from the air and prevents the windows misting. Not using it is the cause of a lot of problems. It also reduces the lingering smell of cigarettes, not that that will bother you as a smoker LOL