Mondeo Ghia X 1996 I had the refridgerant replaced 2 years ago and been ok since. I again had it replaced last week, it was ok driving away, today the compressor clutch is not coming on at all. What is the likely cause? Seals? and how difficult is this for diy replacement?
Correct air con repair is not diy, take it to a specialist, they will charge the system and found out where the leak is (if any) they can then repair the problem and all will be well.
mrcheerful
If you had it replaced last week why not take it back? The compressor usually doesn't come on because there's not enough pressure in the system.
Z
They'll repair it by throwing new parts at it. So probably not cost effective on a car this age. It would be interesting to know if things like compressor seals are DIY replaceable once the system is depressurized and safe to work on.
Shurely if the compressor seals *need* replacing it's depressurised anyway?
Cobblers. If it's that big a leak it should be fairly easy to spot the oily residue. Trying moving all the flexible pipes and listen for leaks as well. As you long as you're quickish changing whatever needs changing then there's no problem, just get it recharged quickish.
John
Many thanks for the responses, I am going to frig the low/high pressure switch on the system later today; and if the compressor clutch comes in, the system should start cooling if there is refrigerant. If there is cooling, it probably means that the refrigerant pressure is either too low or too high, but importantly; that there is refrigerant. I can then go back to the garage and complain and ask them to do a pressure test. They tell me that their refilling unit is automatic and foolproof; but SISO!, I think that they weigh the refrigerant but I don't know how critical the exact weight is, there is a plate at the engine, with some technical details including the weight and type of refrigerant. This is a garage and this service is a sideline for them. BTW, the mileage on the Mondeo is only 55000 and in top condition.
Only run the compressor breifly- 20 seconds max! If there is no gas in it, you'll frig the compressor running it 'dry'.
or too high,
The recharge machine does what it says on the tin, however you need to measure the correct amount of gas into it by weight according to the info sticker on the car!
Ensure they first pull vacuum, then charge with nitrogen and leak detector and leak detect it first. You have definatley lost gas somewhere, and its bad practice to charge it with refrigerant just for it to leak out cos they are too lazy to use N2 first!
When the system is leak free, again insist on some dye for future leak detection.
Tim..
IIRC it illegal to charge a system that has a leak. You or they have to find and fix the leak first using nitrogen and a UV leak detection system first.
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