Too Hot - Need To Fix A/c

[Yozza]

I believe this is a common problem with these motors (leaking, dryer replacement, etc).  I need to have a drains up and resolve this problem before the missus gets behind the wheel.

 

I suspect a leak because it's way too warm.  How is it best to tackle this type of problem, can I find the leak myself or will I need an A/C specialist to detect/repair/refill?

 

Do I need to get the front bumper and grill off to access the dryer?

 

Sorry to fill this forum with more of my woes, once I've resolved this I'll go on holiday and give you all a break :-)

 

Cheers,

Yozza

[gregers]

kwik fit used to charge about 25 quid to do a refill and say if it isnt colder you dont pay,just wondered if you pay a visit to them they may be able to tell you where its leaking from??

[chrispb123456]

A quick fix would be to get a mobile specialist out he would test the system for leaks and if the condenser/dryer is the problem he will supply and fit a new one, he will then vacuum the system and if OK refill with gas usually about 3 to £400 all in, do not consider a secondhand unit.

[sparky Paul]

Is your car a mk.I or II car? Dryer/condenser arrangement is different.

 

On the mk.I the dryer is separate from the condenser and is mounted in front of the offside wheel arch. You can replace it without removing the bumper, and they cost around 20 quid for a new one.

 

On the mk.II, dryer is part of the condenser, as Chris says above.

 

Most common failure on the mk.I is the pipe which crosses under the chassis leg at the front of the offside wheelarch, and on the mk.II the condensor/dryer.

[Yozza]

Thanks, it's the Mk2.  I've been up the local 'trusted' garage who do refills and detection (using a dye).  They quoted £60+ to fill the system including a dye to see if and where it's leaking, sounds reasonable to me.  He did say if it's the evaporator in the dash it's a ball ached of a job, but also mentioned the condenser as a possible culprit.

 

Is there anyway I can determine if the condenser is leaking before I take it up the garage.  Would the old trick of using soapy water around the joints be viable?

[sparky Paul]

Right, ignore the stuff about the mk.I, the mk.II pipework was improved. 

 

Evaporator very rarely fails on the Galaxy. First thing to check is the condenser, it's a common failure on the mk.II. Have a read at the following thread, there are pics on page 2...

 

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php/topic/13221-aircon-leaking-gas-difficult-to-locate-fault-found

[Yozza]

Thanks fella, that is a great thread with lots of useful info AND pics - forum power!

[xavier]

Might have to take a look at my aircon too, though a bit stunned at the price of parts now!

 

ECP no 233440050 - 18 quid 6 years ago, now 144! Also 2 condensers : 222440590 - 210 quid vs 222440591 - 84 quid.

 

Galaxy's a mobile greenhouse at the moment in this weather, got away with it the last couple of years but now considering putting some grow bags in the back this weekend.

[sparky Paul]

You should get some lovely tomatoes. B)

 

I'm in the same boat. Having repaired the aircon several times in the past, I gave up in the end. I'm now in danger of being cooked when stood in traffic.

[v6mikey]

When I got my sharan the ac did not work. Went to quick fit who recharged the system but still did not work.

 

It was Diagnosed as a faulty compressor so I bought a second hand compressor (ebay for £29 delivered) and a new dryer. I had read about the leaky cap on the condenser, so when I changed the dryer I cleaned the cap and its socket and lightly greased them. Recharged the ac and its still working today. I did this over 3 years ago.

 

I always leave the climate on auto so the gases circulate and lubricate the seals. It doesn't make too much difference on the amount of fuel a v6 drinks.

[Pemo]

You may ask the garage to put in some UV refrigerant leak detector if yoiu cannot find the leak. After a day or two you can easily see the leak with a UV lamp.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/uv-light-leak-detector

[xavier]

Looking through the plethora of docs I got from the previous owner, there's no mention of anything being done to the air con, so going to have a look at the condenser and take it from there. Not prepared to spend loads of cash on it but might spend a bit. No doubt I'll get it working just in time for aux heater season!

[billywizzo]

Common failure is the pipe that goes from the compressor and runs into the r/h wing with the divers side fill port on it.

They split on the bend near the compressor.

I did a repair on mine and seems to be holding pressure, only time will tell.

The pipe is about £200 so i decided to try and repair it first.

 

Bill

[Adam1]

Common failure is the pipe that goes from the compressor and runs into the r/h wing with the divers side fill port on it.

They split on the bend near the compressor.

I did a repair on mine and seems to be holding pressure, only time will tell.

The pipe is about £200 so i decided to try and repair it first.

 

Bill

This is exactly where my pipe split. There is a join by the drivers wheel arch so I disconnected there and got that section from a scrappy for £20. You do need some sort of special tool tho to release the joint.

[nexsuperne]

Just had mine fixed. After spending some time looking for the bright yellow dye from the pipes and not being able to see it, we regassed it and listened for the hiss. Hidden behind the air box, drivers headlamp and whatever else lurks on that side of the engine bay are 2 air con pipes. The smaller one had a tiny hole in it, but leaked out in 10 minutes. Never would have seen it! Repaired with an aeroquip hose unit and regassed. I also had track rod end, both drop links on the anti rollbar, pollen filter, water temp sender and tracked for £275. Lovely and cold, even when it was 32C outside!

[Yozza]

Just had the front grill off mine tonight to have a look at the infamous cap on the condenser.  Took the angled plastic cap off and squirted some water on the seal and alu cap, guess what.....bubbles.  Not a huge amount, and could be one of many leaks???

 

If I remove this alu cap (to replace o ring) will I be releasing all the gas in the system or is this literally just a cap that has trapped gas under it.  If this is the case then am I right to assume the condenser has a leak around the drier unit which will need rectifying?

 

What is under that cap?  I would have a look but I'm concerned I'll de-pressurise the system.

[SilverBeast]

You will release any remaining gas if you take off the cap.  The drier cartridge is underneath it.  It is fairly common for the tube to be corroded and to not be able to get a seal again (you get a new cap with seals with the drier if I recall).  I was lucky as mine had been greased around the lip and was able to be replaced when I had a pipe repaired.  I even got a reduced price on the drier cartridge as the mobile aircon specialist I used had had it some time and didn't think he'd get to use it as all mine was the first he could get the cap off!

[Yozza]

Thanks, that saved me losing all the gas.  I'll contact a a/c specialist to get an idea of price and potentially have a new condenser on standby if required???

 

I've read in the manual that the gas required to fill the system varies if you also have rear a/c, how can I tell if I have.  I think I just have a blower in the rear???

[chromedome]

If you have dual a/c you will have vents in the roof above the second and third row of seats.

[Yozza]

Excellent tip, no vents, so that's sorted - thanks.

[Yozza]

Just thought, should the rad fans come on when the a/c is switched on?  Mind don't or is there a fan switch somewhere?

[Yozza]

If I want to replace the condenser, I assume I'll lose all the gas.  Is the 'best' option to take it to have all the gas removed safely, take the car away, fit the new condenser, then take it back to be re-filled?  (Two trips)

 

Could I take the condenser off and lose the gas, then refit a new condenser and take it for a air con service to filled and lubed?  Ideally I only want one trip to the a/c service centre (to keep costs down).