How To Avoid Aircon Problems?

[2004AUY85kwTDI]

Hello gentlemenn ! :)

I wonder what is the most common problem with aircon? Is it possible to avoid some of them?

Is there some pipe that can be better protected against rust or maybe better supported to avoid vibration to prevent gas leaks.

My aircon is working 100% and would like this continue :)

 

Best Regards Norwegian sailor

Galaxy 2004 TDI 85kw AUY Manuel transmission 170.000 kilometer.

[steve1]

Hi, the most easiest way to keep air con running in my opinion is to keep using it ;-) cant remember what they say but make sure you use it every 2 weeks or something, as if my memory serves me right the gas acts as a lubricant also, so even in the winter keep using for a little while to keep things running smoothly, think its meant to keep the air con compressor running free, ive had them before where air con compressor is siezed and been told because people only ever use in summer, im sure someone else will give you some tips also :-)

[chrispb123456]

Hi and welcome to the forum 2004AUY85kwTDI and steve 1

 

Apart from the condenser/drier leak (quite common) the aluminium/rubber pipes are suffering fractures, and corrosion, the location of the pipework being low down behind the front grille and through the wheel arch means they are exposed to the rain road dirt and salt/grit in the winter, also a worn out or broken engine stabiser (roll restrictor can fracture the larger pipes from the compressor.

 

Have to agree keeping aircon going all year round will look after the internals, cars with climate control the default setting is auto with the option of using econ mode, I must say that in the rare occation that I used econ there was no noticeable difference to fuel consumption.

 

As for protecting the pipes from corrosion spraying them with something like waxoyl should help but baring in mind that some of the pipes are hidden in the wheel arch and in support clips.

[2004AUY85kwTDI]

Hi again, thanks for good advice steve and chrispb, I check and do as you recommend :)

 

Tomorrow I will change the front shock absorbers did the aft ones today. Welded special tool for the top nuts and socked the nuts with UB40 :) spray today.

[2004AUY85kwTDI]

FYI (not about aircon)

Changed front shock absorbers, the car felt like new, my wife said the same when she drived it. I can now run over the speed adjusters on the road with 15 km/t moore than before :)

[jinksy]

Hi and welcome to the forum 2004AUY85kwTDI and steve 1

 

Apart from the condenser/drier leak (quite common) the aluminium/rubber pipes are suffering fractures, and corrosion, the location of the pipework being low down behind the front grille and through the wheel arch means they are exposed to the rain road dirt and salt/grit in the winter, also a worn out or broken engine stabiser (roll restrictor can fracture the larger pipes from the compressor.

 

Have to agree keeping aircon going all year round will look after the internals, cars with climate control the default setting is auto with the option of using econ mode, I must say that in the rare occation that I used econ there was no noticeable difference to fuel consumption.

 

As for protecting the pipes from corrosion spraying them with something like waxoyl should help but baring in mind that some of the pipes are hidden in the wheel arch and in support clips.

hi chrispb123456,i had to replace the compressor on my 52 reg tdi as when i bought it aircon wasnt working and return pipe had split so hadnt been used for a while i guess.other than if front window needs demisting i keep cimate control on all the time as it lubes the compressor and no difference in consumption anyway that ive noticed.i love my gal i have to say.she drives great and everything works as it should now aircon repaired.cost a bit though for new pipe and recon compressor but i like things to work properly.jinks.

[TeamGreen]

Have to agree with chrispb with regards hardly any difference in fuel economy between auto and econ, I've tried switching between the two and it hardly makes any difference but the big difference is no steamed up windows now that the colder weather is arriving when using auto.

[airbox]

I have just bought a galaxy mk2 1.9TDI from a car dealer. The aircon wasn't working when I bought it and he said that if a gas recharge didn't work then it would be covered on the "Gold" warranty cover. Fine, I thought and had it recharged for £49. The recharger guy said he couldn't detect any leaks but was difficult to check because of all the plastic covers that are in the engine compartment. It was icy cold when he did it and I thought great. Less than 3 days later it doesn't seem to be working again so I must have a leak somewhere. Where is the most usual place for these to fail? I don't think it can be a sheared pipe because the system wouldn't have worked straight after the recharge, likewise a siezed compressor. I contacted the warranty people and they said because it wasn't working when I bought the vehicle they won't cover it and I had best get back to the dealer. So I have contacted the dealer and they are going to get back to me. I can see that they will try and wriggle out of it too, (b**tards!!) so I think it will end up in my hands. Where is the most usual place for these to fail? Thanks!!

[seatkid]

Leaking seal in the receiver dryer, which is integral with the condensor. Lift the plastic cap on the tube fitted at the end of the condensor. Put a drop or two of oil or soapy water and you can see bubbles escape from the seal (if any gas is left).

 

New condensor is needed IIRC.

 

Pictures etc somewhere on the forum - search away.

 

If he said it was covered under warranty, then warranty he must.

Edited July 4, 2012 by seatkid

[airbox]

thanks, I will have a look.

[gregers]

why bother getting your hands dirty?

shoot it straight back to dealers ,and get them to refund your 49 quid youve just paid out at halfords.

[airbox]

I will hassle them as it was advertised as an aircon model so it should have worked and he did say the warranty would cover it if a regas didn't solve it. It wasn't Halfrauds who regassed it, it was a garage at a dealers that did batteries, exhausts, workshop, MOTs etc and aircon regas. I don't particularly like Halfords, they are not cheap and often don't know what their talking about.

[chrispb123456]

The pipes that run through the O/S wheel arch suffer corrosion especially around the pipe clips these pipes are tucked away and are difficult to see without removing arch liner and bumper.

[airbox]

I have got it booked in at the dealers I bought it from next week and they are going to sort it for me. So hopefully I will be sorted and happy. Thanks for help and advise!

[airbox]

Took it to the car traders that I bought it from and they took it to their garage to do the work. Phoned me the next day to say all fixed. Picked the car up and the aircon was nice and cold. Next day I took the bumper off to change the fog light and saw that the condenser/drier had not been touched. Phoned up the traders to ask what they did and if they had been charged for a new condenser. He phoned me back later to say that two cars had gone in with aircon problems and they had got them muddled up. Sounds like bullshit to me. All the garage did was to regas it again and they said they could find no leaks. It still seems to be working at the moment but I am expecting it to stop very soon and then I will be phoning them up again. I explained that a leak from the top of the drier would probably not be picked up with a detector. This is very annoying as I bought the car as I have just started up my own private hire business, Part time at the moment only, this could mean 4 days of lost earnings if they have to do it again properly which I think they may have to.

If it does carry on working then it must mean that the 1st regas people didn't put enough in and so it tripped out on low pressure. I think it will end up going back though to get done properly. It really annoys me this incompetence!!!