Air Con Compressor

[Siggy08]

Hi I have been having problems with my 1.9CDTI Signum Elite air con gas leaking since March 2012. I have had it regassed by VX 3 times now twice with a leak test dye. Within 10 days - 2 weeks the gas disappears and air con fails
other than 1 very small leak that VX finally tracked down, and cost me a further £100 for a new seal on the compressor they are at a loss as to where the leak is.

The latest idea from VX is;

"I have spoken to various other dealers about the aircon problem and it seems that they have had similar and it turned out to be the aircon compressor alloy casing gone porous but does not show the dye staining - we know how to test this so that's what we will do next time"


Has anyone else heard of this?

[keith1983]

Sounds strange to me, it's not a recall issue is it? Surely a metal casing going pourous isn't right, regardless of the timescale.

[m8internet]

VX normally use contractors to provide this service
If the pump has failed the contractor will normally advise the dealership

Sounds more like the VX dealership called out the contractor but the UV test was inconclusive
Therefore, I would suggest taking your car to a different contractor and see what they advise

Presumably it is simply losing pressure
This was confirmed when the contractor advised there had been no loss of gas
I've had that on three cars now, the only solution was replacing the pump itself
The regas charge was then waived (shown on receipt as regas £0)

[snapsnap]

I would put money on the condensor being kaput..

[Siggy08]

I am told that the gas is escaping, but all the tests have failed to find out where from. if it is the pump I can understand the loss of pressure and the failure of the aircon. Would the condenser failing cause a loss of pressure or a loss of gas?

[chewy71]

I have a thread somewhere about this on my other Vec,.. took 18 months to sort but VX paid 80% of the cost on a 2008 car.

her: http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...lem-conclusion

[m8internet]

Would the condenser failing cause a loss of pressure or a loss of gas?

Both can occur

If there is a leak, then there is a loss of gas, and as a result pressure
With the pressure loss, the pump will not activate

If the pump has failed, there is no pressure but no loss of gas
Again, the pump will not activate

[snapsnap]

I am told that the gas is escaping, but all the tests have failed to find out where from. if it is the pump I can understand the loss of pressure and the failure of the aircon. Would the condenser failing cause a loss of pressure or a loss of gas?

Speak to George of go-cool in Bristol. He is reasonably priced and knows is stuff.

While the vx garage in Bath are nice/good guys, a/c is a very specialist area, like electronics

[Siggy08]

This is the latest reply from VX

Hi - the gas is being lost so system will not pressurise - we tested it with 10bar CO2 gas for 10mins with no drop, the tech we talked to said this can happen, it only oozes out slow over a period, they were alerted to the problem from a supplier of compressors who say this is now happening more often to older vectras and signums.the condenser was checked and no leaks detected under pressure or vacuum.


So word of caution to all out there old compressors can become porous