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Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 15:30
by silverbullet
Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I think this is a plumbing problem rather than an electrical fault!
Here's the brief: Factory a/c system, R134a from new. It never cooled air until I took it for an a/c service at my local tame VW garage (they know their way around a T3) This included picking a blanket of fluff from the overhead evapourator!
When it was recharged the gas recovery machine said that that the system was full and held pressure ok, no sign of a leak, so went ahead with the refill. Whereupon it was blowing icy cold

The fan cycled on 1st speed as it should, the clutch on the compressor was clicking in just fine, no belt squealing.
Cold air lasted for two days only...this was summer 2012 and I haven't really thought about it until now, purely because we're off abroad and it might just be hotter than the UK!
Any ideas?
Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 19:08
by itchyfeet
Pfff aircon, you will be carrying leveling ramps next
seriously dont know much but my car aircon failed
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=133196" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Turns out it was a pipe rusted through where a ruber clad pclip held it, garage pressure tested to 9 bar and vaccum tested and found no fault, regassed with a uv dy which shows leak point
lasted less than a day, dye showed the leak point
when i asked why the 9 bar test didnt show it up i was told they can peak at 15 to 20 bar
so id guess you have a pin hole, get it gassed with uv dye go from there, anybody with the right quipment will tell you if there is any gas in it
My gen vw pipe cost 170 quid from Deutsch parts ( vw wanted 225 quid) by the time its fitted and gassed its 300 quid hopefully yours will be cheaper
cheers
Paul
Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 19:17
by Oldiebut goodie
Isn't it cheaper to open a window?

Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 19:20
by itchyfeet
Oldiebut goodie wrote:Isn't it cheaper to open a window?

It is indeed but i drive 70 miles a day in rush hour and in the summer when the motorway grinds to a halt all you oil burners start belching diesel fumes, have to shut the windows and turn the air con on

Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 20:05
by silverbullet
Thanks itchyfeet. I think they said that the refill was dye loaded so I'll get it over there once my new clutch arrives and we will see whats let go.
As for knocking a/c , well...you've either got it in your bus or you haven't

Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 20:07
by silverbullet
I do have levelling ramps too

Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 02 Jul 2014, 20:53
by printmonkey
silverbullet wrote:Thanks itchyfeet. I think they said that the refill was dye loaded so I'll get it over there once my new clutch arrives and we will see whats let go.
As for knocking a/c , well...you've either got it in your bus or you haven't

I've got it. I just wish it worked

Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 03 Jul 2014, 10:36
by ermie571
I haven't got it....and there is a fault with the wire that controls the hot cold slider and valve. You can slide the slider....does bugger all.
guess what its set on.....
Thankfully.. the summer is not that bad.....yet!! lol xx (plus, as its an early panel conversion, the front facing side dash vents are always just outside air...thus cooling the cab)
Em
x
Re: Aircon fault, anyone got experience?
Posted: 03 Jul 2014, 10:56
by Jakemate
If it already has dye in you only need a uv light to look for leaks, the leaks will show up luminous green.
I always pressure test with nitrogen to 15 bar , these automatic machines I don't trust, I always recover, vacuum and refill manually and keep an eye on vacuum and pressures weights etc myself.