No aircon 05 L319!

[Airmech953]

Hi, on Friday the AC failed 2hrs into a 5hr drive with a 39degree day. Before I rip into replacing parts I want to get the system tested. The local AC specialists (Diamond Creek) can't fit me in for a couple of weeks. Can anyone recommend someone who knows Disco AC systems in the Northern part of Melbourne who may be able to test/degas the system for me? Thanks

[cripesamighty]

Did it die completely or was it just blowing warm air? If it helps, mine of late has the air con running for a while and then blows warm air. I cycle through the air con on/off, auto, etc and it comes back online. I don't know if it is a portend of things to come, or I need to service something.

[jwb]

Had that a couple of years ago.
Aircon shop topped up refrigerant and it worked sort of for a while.
Needed compressor replaced.

[Airmech953]

Did it die completely or was it just blowing warm air? If it helps, mine of late has the air con running for a while and then blows warm air. I cycle through the air con on/off, auto, etc and it comes back online. I don't know if it is a portend of things to come, or I need to service something.

The fan runs but there is no cooling. I've cycled through all of the controls a number of times to no avail. The fuse - 51 in the main junction box - is ok, so there is a problem in the system.

[LuckyLes]

I've found Romsey British Auto very helpfull when travelling through a couple of times
Romsey British Automotive | Offering a full range of servicing for Land Rover & Range Rover vehicles, Romsey British Automotive helps customers from all over Victoria. (https://www.britishautomotive.com.au/)
Maybe worth a call if not too far out.
Cheers
LuckyLes

[BradC]

The fan runs but there is no cooling. I've cycled through all of the controls a number of times to no avail. The fuse - 51 in the main junction box - is ok, so there is a problem in the system.

Do you have a Gap tool? If so, have a look at the high side pressure. That'll at least tell you if there's any gas in there.

[RANDLOVER]

Did it die completely or was it just blowing warm air? If it helps, mine of late has the air con running for a while and then blows warm air. I cycle through the air con on/off, auto, etc and it comes back online. I don't know if it is a portend of things to come, or I need to service something.

Get it's gas topped up as a matter of urgency, as the gas helps carry the oil around, the lack of which will lead to an a/c compressor failure.

[Airmech953]

Do you have a Gap tool? If so, have a look at the high side pressure. That'll at least tell you if there's any gas in there.

thanks Brad, system pressure is 875kPa, so I guess that there's gas in the system.

[BradC]

thanks Brad, system pressure is 875kPa, so I guess that there's gas in the system.

It would appear so. 8.75 bar is ~34C. That's what you'd expect for a system not pumping on a day around that temp. Whats the ambient temp?

What about the compressor valve % (on my D3 it's listed as "compressor current")?

Did it die on the road or was it a "fail to start" after a rest stop?

[josh.huber]

I used to drive with one wheel off the road to get the compressor to shake into action. It'll likey be it had gone to God sorry..

[Airmech953]

It would appear so. 8.75 bar is ~34C. That's what you'd expect for a system not pumping on a day around that temp. Whats the ambient temp?

What about the compressor valve % (on my D3 it's listed as "compressor current")?

Did it die on the road or was it a "fail to start" after a rest stop?

Compressor valve (motor current on GAP tool?) was 235.0A, ambient temp 33.5C, Evaporator temp 41.5C. The system died on the road about 30mins after a lunch stop. Ambient temp at that time was 39C

[BradC]

Not good.
As Josh has already said, it sounds like the compressor. Hopefully it was a quick and catastrophic death rather than pumping the system full of aluminium powder.
Have a look at the compressor pulley while the car is idling and see if you can see if it has snapped the sacrificial coupling.

[Airmech953]

Not good.
As Josh has already said, it sounds like the compressor. Hopefully it was a quick and catastrophic death rather than pumping the system full of aluminium powder.
Have a look at the compressor pulley while the car is idling and see if you can see if it has snapped the sacrificial coupling.

I suspect it was the slow death scenario. There had been a strange whirring noise that I couldn't identify and that's no longer present. I'll have to find a method for flushing the system before I install a new compressor, drier and any other components. Looking at the compressor coupling won't be easy! but then neither will removing the compressor be.

[Airmech953]

Kar Air in Ferntree Gully are going to check out the aircon system on Thursday and hopefully confirm what's at fault. they were recommended by a local LR Specialist who sends all his aircon work to them.

[Airmech953]

The visit to Kar Air confirmed my suspicions. The compressor had seized and sheared the driveshaft. Now I have to find a new compressor, drier and condenser - should br fun!

[Airmech953]

The hunt for parts is on. Aircon compressors for D3s appear to be in short supply. I have sourced a couple in Melbourne but I don't know what brand they are. Condenser and receiver are similarly rare and seals for the pipes seem to be dealer only items.
So my questions are - is any brand of compressor to be avoided? What type of seals are best used in the aircon system and where to buy? Any recommended suppliers for aircon parts?
Any suggestions gratefully received.

[LuckyLes]

The compressor is model specific so you need to source like for like.

[josh.huber]

The hunt for parts is on. Aircon compressors for D3s appear to be in short supply. I have sourced a couple in Melbourne but I don't know what brand they are. Condenser and receiver are similarly rare and seals for the pipes seem to be dealer only items.
So my questions are - is any brand of compressor to be avoided? What type of seals are best used in the aircon system and where to buy? Any recommended suppliers for aircon parts?
Any suggestions gratefully received.

I believe they were a sanden compressor, call cool drive or Napa. I always buy orings genuine. It's just easier,

[Screamingkiw]

Had it topped up and worked for a few days but stopped. Tech said no leaks and it was compressor.

[Screamingkiw]

The compressor is model specific so you need to source like for like.

The A/C tech has sourced one for me but didn't want to install so I'll get it done.

[shanegtr]

The A/C tech has sourced one for me but didn't want to install so I'll get it done.
Funny that when I first had my A/C issues the tech I was chatting to didnt want to go near the compressor either. [biggrin]

[Airmech953]

The A/C tech has sourced one for me but didn't want to install so I'll get it done.

The Kar air people warned that it's not easy - but hey it's a Disco [tonguewink]

[RANDLOVER]

I hope it's not aircon, but more of a fan speed controller problem as my fan seems to run very slow no matter how much the fan knob is twiddled, and then eventually gets going at a decent speed. The air is cold out of the grilles just doesn't have the flow. Does anyone know if the fan speeds work off a good old resistor bank or just different resistor values telling the CANBUS which speed to use as mine must be about ten speeds, not like the old 3 or 4 speed units with resistors. Could also be the fan/bearing is seizing.