Broken Aircon Advice

[JonDonkin]

How best to fix this problem? (long post, sorry)

 

I purchased a Ford Galaxy 2.3 a few weeks ago (1997 R), I knew the aircon was not working (Still a great deal).

 

Had the gas checked by a specialist, there was about 32psi instead of 40psi (Not to bad I am told for 6 years no maintinance) but still no cold air, compressor was not 'clicking' in.

 

Having lowered the engine tray to fault find I can see that the Aircon compressor is there but it is missing the electronic cluch assembly for it (Removed), a shorter drive belt has been fitted to bypass this. :( Suprise suprise, the compressor seems to be seized solid :( (I guess skipping the re-charge does not save money after all then).

 

So as far as I can tell I have 2 options.

 

Option 1: Have it 'done' (you have been! :( ) at the aircon specialist, new parts I am told are; Compressor, dryer, valve, flush+regas for a bargin price of

[Andrew T]

Had the same with our 2.3. By the Dryer do you mean the condensor ? why is the garage changing this if the system is holding pressure ? The comp' and its clutch seem to be a weak point of the 2.3s system. IIRC a new (Hella) comp' is around

[johnb80]

I'd be tempted to buy a new compressor from the cheapest source, in my experience go to a trade aircon supplier (not necessarily an automotive one). When the work is done go and find your nearest large argricultural machinery supplier e.g. Massey Ferguson dealer or similar and take it there to have the system flushed, cleaned, gassed etc, they've been doing it a lot longer than garages, their knowledge seems superior and their prices much lower. Last year I was chaged

[JonDonkin]

Thanks for the swift replys.

 

It is definately called a dryer, part no RD19216, it apparently filters out moisture from the system and ensures that only liquid only is fed to the . . um . . somthing valve (Hella site says replace every 2yrs?).

 

I will buy a new compressor though I think, but only if I can get one cheap enough. The one I need is the part: CA10203

 

Only place I have found so far is www.vacs.co.uk, RRP on the site is

[Ivor_E_Tower]

There is the "official" Ford breakers, called something like "Environ sales" but their details are on my other computer; could possibly pick up second-hand aircon bits from them but of course, compressor and evaporator may be worn out :( as they are not the most robust bits fitted to the Galaxy.

[Guest vr6galaxy]

try here

[ridway]

This is straight off the TIS disk, Hope it helps.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Air Conditioning

 

The air conditioning system is controlled by an thermostatic expansion valve. R134a refrigerant is used.

 

There are three different variants available:

Front air conditioning system with manual temperature control

 

Front air conditioning system with automatic temperature control (Climatronic)

 

Front and rear air conditioning system with automatic temperature control (Climatronic)

 

Depending on the engine variant, two different air conditioning compressors are used:

 

Constant-displacement Ford FS10 compressor for the 2.0L DOHC and 2.3L DOHC engines

 

Variable-displacement Sanden compressor for the 1.9L TDI diesel engines and the 2.8L VR6 engine

 

In order to prevent icing up of the evaporator core, all vehicles except vehicles with 2.8L or 1.9L Diesel engine with automatic temperature control (ATC) are equipped with an de-icing switch on the evaporator core. This switch measures the surface temperature of the evaporator cooling fins using a thermo switch. If the measured temperature drops below about +1

[Andrew T]

 

It would be interesting to hear dealer price parts from the various franchise around the country.

Ford Dealer in Lancs quoted

[JonDonkin]

OK, prices I got for the compressor (with electronic clutch, CA10203)

 

Ford wanted

[johnb80]

Yes, please keep us posted, when are you hoping to do the job ?

 

Good luck, have a good Christmas.

 

Regards - JB

[Guest Tosh]

Cheers guys, found this topic a great help.

 

Its no fun in 38 degree sun without air-con.

 

I am out in Perth Australia and my air-con is forever breaking down and being patched up. :huh: On boxing day it finally packed in altogether. i think i am the only Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra owner in Oz and as usual ford doesnt want to know so i need to source a compressor and a reciever/dryer unit from the UK and find someone willing to send me the parts.

 

Hopefully after the conversation i just had with the people at www.vacs.co.uk they should fix me up but i have a query about the part number they are telling me i need compared to the part number my auto electrician gave me to source so any clarification on this would be a help before i comitt to having parts sent out to Oz that may be the wrong ones.

 

i have a 1999 1.9tdi zetec galaxy and the part number i have is SDV7AB compared to vacs SD7V16

 

I am assuming the number i have is just a typo and vacs know their stuff.

 

 

Not such a canny scotsman after all!!

 

best regards Steve McIntosh

[JonDonkin]

OK, I have done all the work now (It's working) so here is the update on the task as promised.

 

I removed the old parts and fitted the new compressor and dryer, these were both VERY easy to fit and only took about 20 minutes (Note: do the pressure switch OUT of the car), I am sure you could even do this just by jacking up the driver side wheel a bit (Did mine on a ramp tho).

 

Didn't change the expansion valve though as this looked tricky, not technically (3 bolts) but it's damn difficult to get to AND see at the same time, and if you try it will be with one hand only.

 

However, upon getting the system pressure tested with nitrogen, there was a small leak :o After more checking it was discovered to be one of the pipes had corroded :( , it was the thinner pipe from the expansion valve to the dryer, it had corroded/cracked in the middle of a little rubber clamp, little bit past the dryer (A common problem I am told, in fact the aircon man told me about this exact bit before he had even looked at the car when asked about Galaxy problems, the parts I had fitted were 'a good job' apparently)

 

The pipe was a Ford only part of course at about

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Well done! You have the satisfaction of having done what you could do yourself, and saving a packet over getting a dealer to do the work, plus you now have a system that works. Many congratulations.