Air con seems to be leaking :(

**Knuckle** · 3rd May 2011, 16:47

Hi all,

Had my aircon regassed a few weeks ago and it worked great. he sprayed some stuff on the rubbers to see if there was any air bubbles but seemed ok.

3 weeks and 700 miles later it seems to have run out. I noticed a couple of days ago it was louder than usual and the noise was similar to that of my BMW when that ran out. On the way home today it was blowing out a tiny bit of cold air out of the drivers side vent, then just went completely. the compressor was definitely kicking in when i first started the car, but now it seems non responsive (im told that it doesnt run at all if the level is too low to avoid burning out).

Any common areas as to where it leaks from? VX just said a new condensor unit, if the problem is over £500. = F*** that.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

**lofty** · 3rd May 2011, 17:58

I replaced my condensor... easy job and cost just over £100 for the replacement.

**Knuckle** · 3rd May 2011, 18:28

What steps did you take to realise it was the condesor mate? I would spend £100 but will just suffer without otherwise probably.

**DarylAAS** · 3rd May 2011, 18:30

I do the condensors for £136.95 delivered

**Handyandy-UK** · 3rd May 2011, 18:34

I'm with Lofty on this one - the most common failure point is the condenser.... being in front of the radiator, it takes all the crap from the road. I've done them on Omegas and Senators now and if my Vectra ends up with this I'll be quite happy to tackle the job myself.
Take a look through your lower grille at the bottom of it and see if it appears tatty and even damp - a classic sign of failure.

You could get it diagnosed by an auto aircon specialist and then do the replacement work yourself but that's even more outlay.

Take a gander here for an idea of common prices:

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/Vau...tors-and-more/

**Knuckle** · 3rd May 2011, 23:14

I will inspect it tomorrow then and see if there is any obvious signs of leakage.

Thanks for the advice, Daryl is that a VX part and what does it include? Would i need anything else?

What are these things like to fit? Id be reluctant to buy one until i could be certain it is the problem so if i cant locate it tomorrow it will be a case of taking it somewhere i think.

**rushy** · 3rd May 2011, 23:27

If nothings obvious you could be chasing your tail. Mine went, thankfully under warranty, and it wasn't until they but an illuminous dye in that the fault showed up.

**Knuckle** · 3rd May 2011, 23:30

See when i had it regassed he noticed a green dye on one of the rubbers, where it had been tested before.

dont think there are any air con specialists around here. Not sure where to take it.

**rushy** · 3rd May 2011, 23:43

Sucks through teeth............Dealer?

**Exclusive BV** · 4th May 2011, 00:32

thats the problem with these aircon machines.

how many tyres have you pumped up which seemed to be ok............

..........................................and they went down overnight