Air Con (again) Condenser - Common Prob ?

[Guest ratherhaveanewone]

No gas, Air Con not working. Independant Air Con guy came out and and reckoned there were two common problems with the Shalaxy range

 

1) Cracked pipe the one with the refrigerant value (high pressure side - the one most visible when you open the bonnet).

2) Leaking Condenser

 

So mine is, predicably, the more costly of the two i.e. a new condenser

[Masked Marauder]

The condenser is the one on the front of the radiator and it can fail by physical damage from debris. Indeed FOD is the most likely cause of a condenser failure.

 

As for the compressor issue, there is a pressure switch that should turn the compressor off if there is too much or too little gas pressure.

[Guest ratherhaveanewone]

I've had FOD before and it causes total gas loss not a slow leak, the problem with this one is a slow leak 2/3 weeks, also the leak isn't from the radiator looking bit its near the rhs inlet.

 

The IS reckons it was a generic fault with the factory conderser fitted late 2000; the design of which has now been changed so the one he fits won't have the same problem.

 

Could I claim on the car insurance for FOD ?

 

John

[Masked Marauder]

There is a product available that will seal small leaks, but I don't know how effective it would be in your case.

 

I guess the only thing stopping a claim for FOD to your car is proving it to be FOD. If a big bit of metal were to fall off the back of a unmarked scrap tipper and end up sticking out the evaporator then it would be obvious it was accidental damage due to FOD.

 

If something like that did happen to someone then the best thing to do would be ring your insurers and ask them what the situation is.

[Andrew T]

Your problem sounds identical to mine, including (I'm sorry to say) the cost. The additional issue with the compressor was because the Aircon had failed months before and had therefore seized through lack of use. The Ford dealer who diagnosed it got the compressor running but reckoned it was on it's last legs. The Aircon specialist who did the repairs reckoned it might be OK but because the vendor was paying for the repair I didn't want to chance it breaking in a few months time and me having to pay.

 

There do seem to be a number of people on this site who have had problems with the condensors on 2000 models which supports the theory of a dodgy batch of items.

[seatkid]

Yes, there was a batch of condensors circa 2000 which all leaked around one of the pipes (IIRC the one connected to the receiver dryer)

 

But, No, compressor failure is, in my opinion, almost always due to lack of lubricant. Any major component change (e.g. condensor), they MUST change receiver/dryer and refill lubricant.IMO they should remove the compressor, empty and measure the lubricant there and refill the system with the total amount calculated as per Ford TIS instructions. (a very clear and specific calculation).

[ghr]

Slight digression but when I start my 2002 Galaxy the LCD display for the a/c starts flashing for about 10 seconds or so and the a/c blows hot and continues to do so when 'lo' is selected.

 

Warranty is just up so have a feeling there's not going to be much change out of a grand so grateful for any ideas.

[Guest ratherhaveanewone]

Found this on the TIS I guess the warranty company will now just walk away :( ...

 

 

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN No.112/2002

Car and Light/Medium Commercial 28.11.2002

 

 

Section: 412-03

 

Model: Galaxy 2000.75, built up to and including 21.07.2002 (build code 2M)

 

Markets: All

 

Subject: Air conditioning system inoperative or inadequate cooling power; leaks in the air conditioning system

 

Summary

 

Should a customer express concern that the air conditioning system is inoperative or there is inadequate cooling power and there are leaks in the air conditioning system, the probable cause is a corroded/damaged aluminium cover on the air conditioning condenser or a damaged O-ring. To rectify this concern, a new air conditioning condenser should be installed.

[seatkid]

You evidentally expressed no concern..... :(

[Guest FlyingDutchMan]

What ratherhaveanewone is saying is exactly what happened to me; i was lucky enough that it was still in warrenty so the dealer fixed it all (condenser and compressor replaced) and we were having a nice cool breeze again! And the dealer said 'it happened before' (.....) and I sometimes wonder if there has been any Galaxy without aircon problems???

[graemer]

Has every galaxy had an air con problem: just look at the number driving around with the windows open!! Mind you - Aston Martin DB9s also seem to be having a lot of failures so we are in good company!

 

Mine failed on corroded condensor - post 2000 is definately a bad year.