Air Con issues

C

cj10jeeper

Lifer
 Lichfield, England
New one for me on the Zed, outside my current experience as having some air con issues.

Symptoms were less effective at cooling last Summer, but didn't do anything about it, assuming perhaps just low on refrigerant and I rarely use it. Never been topped up in the 7 years I've owned her, so my guess is probably never topped up in 11 years.

Ran it a couple of times during the Winter and each time a progressively louder rattling noise is coming from the pump which is now very noticeable from the moment the clutch engages.

Dilemma is if to go have it refilled or if that's just a waste of money and in fact the pump has gone? Pumps are really expensive so equally don't want to just rip that out for it to be a simple top up.

Be interested to hear from anyone who's had noises from the pump and what it turned out to be and the solution.
 
If the coolant/refrigerant has been steadily leaking, and the system has not been used much, then I'd suggest the seals have dried up and let the majority of the fluid seep away. No refrigerant would mean no oils to lubricate the pump/compressor/etc.

Mine's been on since I bought the car over 5 years back, and has had air-con servicing every 2 years, but it still needed some new seals (don't know which) when it went in for it's last inspection.

The only other experience I had which is similar (i.e. noisy compressor only when AC on), was on my M5 where the Bosch guy said I needed a new compressor, but my mechanic had a look and realised it just needed a new belt.
 
When I filled the airco system for the previous Polo, the warranty you get with that is that if you have to fix a leak, it is re-filled for free (within a year).

Nothing to lose I would say by filling it up first.
 
OK - interesting comments. You both mention leaks, however there are non visible, but I assume that by the very nature of the refrigerant being rather volatile then over time it will escape. As good housekeeping I have run the aircon every month due t the 'seals' issues, but tend not to have it running al the time. Belt is new as I fitted it last year.

Certainly erring in the direction of a top up :thumbsup:
 
If you use these, no charge if it does not work either:

http://www.kwik-fit.com/about-air-conditioning.asp
 
pvr said:
If you use these, no charge if it does not work either:

http://www.kwik-fit.com/about-air-conditioning.asp
Click to expand...

Ah - No worries Paul. While you were posting I booked it in with ATS for £39.99 tomorrow morning.

Let's see what happens.
 
They will all be the same / similar anyway. They seem to quote / imply that you lose 10% a year so after 11 years your system will be just about dry - which is probably the compressor noise you hear.

As they do not touch anything else but the two bolts, it is safe for them to work on without any risk to the car.
 
pvr said:
They will all be the same / similar anyway. They seem to quote / imply that you lose 10% a year so after 11 years your system will be just about dry - which is probably the compressor noise you hear.

As they do not touch anything else but the two bolts, it is safe for them to work on without any risk to the car.
Click to expand...


Yes, I did see those figures and smiled at me therefore on -10% :)
 
cj10jeeper, working in the banking software area you should know about 10% per year is not 110% after 11 years :poke:
 
pvr said:
cj10jeeper, working in the banking software area you should know about 10% per year is not 110% after 11 years :poke:
Click to expand...

Depends if I'm paying or earning it at interest :)

I do however confess that 3 months into rescuing a bankrupt Irish Bank, nothing makes sense any more...
 
srhutch said:
They can test for leaks so it might be worth mentioning your concerns first.
Click to expand...

For sure - That's the purpose. Spoke to the manager so will se what he has to say when I get there.
 
I got caught by something similar on my last car by a ford garage. Took it in for their "aircon service". Having left the car with them I came back to find they had simply recharged the system without any kind of inspection and the coolant had leaked out of a hole in one of the pipes. After much debate about what "service" meant I basically ended up coughing up the £50 and never used them again. Instead of testing the system, they used a refill to test it and stung the customer anyway and then had the cheek to try pick up the repair work. Eventually, got an independent in to sort it and he told me he had similar complaints about the practice of some dealers "servicing" aircon systems. Anyway, best having the system checked prior to refill, the independent showed me while he did mine prior to refilling (having fixed the system). At least agree with ATS that this will be done prior to being refilled so you everyone is clear.

Been waiting for an halford or ATS £25 offer but doesnt look like these coming this year!
 
Update - All fixed :)

Took it in this morning and ATS pressure tested it and all was well. Ran it through their system that took just over 45 mins. to fully cycle. They said of the 720g capacity it took just under 400g, so 50% full.

Compressor is silent and it operates correctly to freezing temps.

Top result as I didn't fancy the cost of a new compressor and clearly that low a level of refrigerant would make the compressor not run correctly.
 
Cool.

I went with a friend to an independent and they said straight out they would charge to fill up coolant just to see if it leaked. Then fix and charge for another fill. Nice to know there is another way to do it.
 
Cj10jeeper - hi you, thanks for posting, is interesting. As for symptoms to this problem, did you have any smell issues when the air con was on or when a fan was on after the air con was switched off?
 
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