306 Air Con, saga continues

The compressor is more than likely fine, looks like the new pipe they fitted hasn't been done properly. There are rubber washers each end of the pipe, one at the compressor end and where the pipe continues. Both of these should be new when refitting. I know from my experience that the washer at the compressor end certainly doesn't come supplied with the pipe and must be bought separately. They've either not replaced that or damaged one or the other of these seals.

Your refrigerant won't leak out - it's a gas. The leakage will normally come from the oil used to lubricate the compressor. I had a garage refil my A/C. they also assured me they used dye. When mine leaked I didn't see it either.

Usually the dye can only be seen by ultra violet light.

mrcheerful

In message , snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes

Yeah sorry, bad description on my part. When it leaked before I had a few pools of green dye oil on the drive, but this time it's dry, and apart from a bit around the new pipe it's dry in the engine bay too.

I hope it is the pipe, as it means I won't have to shell out again.

Yes, and no- it can be seen on the skin as a yellowish tint, which wont wash out- rather like getting iodine on your skin.

Tim..

In message , snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes

Bugger - again.

One new condenser and a recommendation to replace the other pipe. Booked in for next Friday, but it's a 4 hour job as the bumper etc etc has to come off for the condenser change.

Well it'd better bloody work after that....

Sorry, hit the wrong button last time.

I can't see how there is anything wrong with your compressor when it was working fine before the gas escaped. How did they evaluate your compressor needed changing?

Remember, this is the garage that didn't even fix it properly in the first place. Do you trust their analysis?

In message , snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes

Did anybody mention a compressor?

Sorry, condenser. That's what happens when you spend too much time in front of a computer, you end up going word blind!

In message , snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes

To be fair the leak is bloody hard to spot (right behind the fan) and would only have ended up in the same puddle as the bigger leak from the pipe I knew about. They didn't charge me for the second diagnostic, so really it's just a bit of inconvenience, car is booked in for next Friday when I'm not at work anyway, so no big deal, apart from the bill. arrgh.

Have they suggested what it might cost? I ask because the symptoms sound similar to my wife's 306.

In message , Keith Willcocks writes

Total will be over 500 with the two visits.

Condenser - 100 quid plus 4 hours to fit (all and sundry from front of car has to be removed) First pipe (already replaced) 75 quid plus an hour to fit Second pipe (to be done with condenser) 45 quid

Plus one diagnostic test and two re-gas, and the dreaded VAT.

Hourly rate is 47 quid inc, which is about par for the course in Brum centre.

Have read your "story" with great interest. I have a similar problem with my 306. Leaks sometimes some fluid (water I suppose) under and on passenger seats mat when hot weather and long drive. Can't find the leak. Have been to service for this three times. Is ok for a while and then it comes back again.

Did your last trip to the service cure all problems?

Rgds Lars

Your aircon drain hole is blocked. Dunno where it is on the 306, but aircon systems have a drain to let out the condensation. Yours is blocked, so instead of escaping onto the road, it's escaping into your footwell.

That's assuming it really is just water. If it's got coolant in, then your heater matrix is shafted. Good luck :)

I think I saw an earlier thread where water on the passenger mat was traced to the heater matrix (or its 'O' rings).

Thanks for the price. I think I will buy her one of those little dash mounted fans instead ;o)