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The compressor was replaced for convenience while the body was off replacing the engine, as the orginal compressor had done over 300K kms and they're such a pain to replace with the engine in-situ.
The car is booked in for Friday with the mechaninc who gassed-up the new compressor a couple of months ago in the middle of winter, but now it's considerably warmer - well it was yesterday even though its winter again today.
I agree with Brad and DJ regarding a leak. IME most new install faults are due to poor installation including lack of cleanliness during installation, which is why on the large systems I'm familiar with they are pressure tested with nitrogen before being filled, so I still favour a gas leak.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graeme
This brings me to my theory of why it it worked, failed then worked again. In my basic understanding of a/c it requires two shut off points to separate the low and high pressure sides, which I'd expect to be shut at rest, so it ran, then leaked half the gas (in broad terms) from the LP or HP side, resulting in an LP fault which was reset, ran again, shut down and leaked the other half of the gas, and won't cool now as the system is below the minimum pressure.
There are no real shut off points. The compressor is a non-return valve and in theory the TXV might/can shut down while idle. In practice they both leak and a system will equalize in short order. Even refrigeration systems with pump-down solenoids have leak rate specifications for the solenoids. Everything leaks, even brazed copper pipe.Quote:
Originally Posted by RANDLOVER
In my case, I pumped out and re-gassed the car (it was 150g low) only for the missus to complain after a couple of weeks "The aircon is ****". Turned out to be the low side service valve that with hindsight I should have replaced while I had it open. I now just replace them as a matter of course any time I'm in there.
That reminds me, it has been about 5 years, I should probably do it again.
You raise an interesting point a few years ago I had my a/c pumped down measured and topped up as it was short of gas, after it stopped cooling a couple of times I'm not sure they replaced the schrader valves though, I'll have to ask my mechanic.
Regarding copper pipe leaking, the cheaper it is the better it leaks!
As it happens I’m replacing the compressor, condenser and dryer on mine soon DIY. Will get it degassed, so the work, get it regassed. It has done nearly 400,000km. Figure it’s due. I will use genuine new seals and will do the schrader valves as you suggest [emoji846]
Getting the parts trade through Josh, a former member here, and borrowing his AC knowledge.