Ping: Ian J. - Air con recharge

Ken,

I have recently recharged the AC on a V70 as I have the gear - however as always the cause of the leak needs to be found first. Where are you based? - I may be able to help if near Bedfordshire. If the system is empty (confirmed by guages) then I usually fill with Nitrogen and some dye first to find the leak, and replace the faulty component or hose. Sometimes the pressure seems to hold OK, suggesting a slow leak, and I've had good success with the leak sealer products in small cans sold by autokool -

the system has been empty or open then a new reciever/dryer is recommended, not too expensive and sold by autokool also for most cars.As you may know the charging procedure is:Connect to vacuum pump, pull vacuum and confirm it holds for several minutes, Charge with refrigerant, to weight required by system in question (refrigerant bottle on scales to establish amount used) [optional] add leak sealer Test system is working properly.

You can go for a DIY approach using the small refrigerant cans, with the hose to pierce the can and connect to the AC system. Note however if there is a leak it could cost you to find it this way, and an old reciever/dryer won't function to remove moisture from the system resulting in it freezing, causing blockages.

HTH,

Alan.

Alan,

Thanks for all that - very informative, and for the kind offer. But I'm in Dumfriesshire and miles from the nearest aircon place. I know Ian J. is somewhere around here too and was recently asking about aircon so I was hoping for a recommendation.

I don't know if it's failed with a big leak or if it's a gradual loss. The car is a 53 plate diesel Mondeo, 82,000 miles and has never had any attention to the aircon, so it may be a case of "they often do that sir".

Thanks again,

Ken.

Volvo main dealer in the end. I took the advice about getting the receiver-drier changed as well, but on the V70 that's held on with a proprietary Volvo clip. So a local place replaced the pump, getting me mobile, and the main dealer took a cool (haha) hundred and seventy quid from me to fit the receiver (which I supplied) and regas the system.

Ian

There is an air-con place somewhere in Dumfries. The ex-filling station next to Dalbeattie Police Station advertises car air-con. I went to Robertson Gemini in Castle Douglas, who have everything except the special Volvo tools.

Ian

Thanks. The only one I've seen in Yellow Pages is just off Glasgow Street, so I'll try them next time I venture to town.

Ken.

Natural leakage is normal, so if it has never been serviced at that age, then it's overdue, and probably just needs a vac and re-charge.

However, gauges need to go on to look at the pressure of the system and go from there, you can't assume..

Tim.

That's the boys. I don;t know anything about them more than their existence, I'm afraid. I would happily recommend Roberston's, though, if you feel like venturing a few miles west ...

Ian