Milos Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Hi all, working through my 2006 S and finally reached the lack of aircon. Diagnostic tool reports zero system pressure. I've checked the condensers (one original seems OK and the other a recent replacement). Are there any other common spots to check? I'm aware pipes run under the floor to the compressor which can make diagnosis more tricky. Can anyone recommend an a/c fault finding service in the Manchester or East Lancs area? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tozerman Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Get an ultraviolet torch and check in front of the OSR wheel under the rear undertray. Also check the condensers old and new. Any leaks should glow in the uv light. Good luck 🤞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milos Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 Thanks for the reply Tozerman 👍 I didn't realise the system oil had UV "dye" in it. I'm guessing that's also where the pipes turn upwards towards the engine bay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tozerman Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 14 hours ago, Milos said: Thanks for the reply Tozerman 👍 I didn't realise the system oil had UV "dye" in it. I'm guessing that's also where the pipes turn upwards towards the engine bay? That's correct mate. It is where the 2 pipes from the compressor meet the long fixed pipes that run under the car front to back. The pipes themselves are ali on each end and rubber in the middle. The larger bore pipe is the return pipe and the thinner one is the pressure pipe - this is the usual culprit, they leak where the rubber and ali are crimped and you will see UV dye running down this pipe. Replacement is not for the faint hearted and can be expensive (see my thread) I ended up doing it for £25 + the re gas I would imagine a specialist would charge 2-3 hours labour (took me a full day) the pipe from an OPC was about £230 from memory. As I say a UV torch is your friend here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milos Posted April 19, 2021 Author Share Posted April 19, 2021 Excellent info. I'm happy to tackle it myself since I have alternative transport if it all goes a bit Pete Tong. Just discovered a broken rear spring too so I'll add that to my list...🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tozerman Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Good luck mate 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milos Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 Well I finally got around to checking the hoses from the a/c compressor to the underbody pipes. Pulled the various covers (2x engine and 1x undertray) and waited until dusk. Armed with my cheapo UV torch I had a rummage around and found...nothing. There was no apparent leak in any of the crimped ends, bolted o-ring joints or pump. So I suppose the logical thing now is to remove the undertray covering the pipes running back to front and work my way towards the radiators... Is UV dye added at the factory or is it something added retrospectively to trace leaks? I might be looking for traces of dye which aren't there... Fingers crossed I find an obvious leak somewhere otherwise I might actually have to pay someone who knows what they are doing 😁. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennym1984 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 On 15/04/2021 at 16:38, Milos said: I've checked the condensers (one original seems OK and the other a recent replacement). I know that you say that you have checked the condensers but in my experience it can sometimes be difficult to see a slow/small leak here. I recently replaced one of mine which looked fine for all intents and purposes but wasn't holding pressure. Once it was off the car, you could just about make out where it had been leaking but it was nowhere near as obvious as it has been when I have done condensers in the past. Personally, for the cost and effort of replacing the other original condenser, I'd just start there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milos Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 Cheers for the input. Yeah, I suppose I'll go down the route of renewing o-rings and have a very close look at the older condenser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennym1984 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 21 minutes ago, Milos said: Cheers for the input. Yeah, I suppose I'll go down the route of renewing o-rings and have a very close look at the older condenser. If you are going to the hassle of renewing o-rings, I'd just buy a new condenser. You can pick them up for less than £50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craiglm68 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Just put 2 new condensers in, £90 for 2, went in without issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milos Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 I replaced the one original condenser and put a new receiver/dryer in. Regassed a week ago and touch wood it's still holding pressure. Happy days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteor_CR Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 How easy is it to replace the condensers chaps, and do you know if they are the same between gen 1 and gen 2? Anyone care to share a link to where to purchase from? My passenger side one has gone and I have no aircon, so would like to fix myself if possible. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milos Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 The condensers are pretty easy to swap out once you have got to them. For me, bumper removal involves taking the wheel arch liners out, frunk front trim side repeaters and headlights. A couple of hidden clips and electrical connectors also so YouTube videos are great for that. Once the bumper is off, then the radiator shrouds. One of the bolts holding the ac line into the rad had corroded so needed some persuasion. Refit is reverse of what you've just done. Nothing too difficult if you take your time. If the system has been empty for a while or open to the atmosphere it's recommended that you put a new receiver / dryer on as well (all with new o rings). Definitely doable yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennym1984 Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 13 minutes ago, Meteor_CR said: How easy is it to replace the condensers chaps, and do you know if they are the same between gen 1 and gen 2? Anyone care to share a link to where to purchase from? My passenger side one has gone and I have no aircon, so would like to fix myself if possible. Cheers Dead easy! I helped @Cito do his recently (I have done the job a few times now) and I think it took us less than 2.5 hours in total. I bought my condensers from eBay for £35.47 inc. postage. You'll need new o-rings and it is good practice to replace the drier (2 minute job - it'll take you longer to get the old o-rings off than anything else). In terms of compatability, I'd guess they are the same from 987.1 not 987.2 but you'll need to do your own research. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteor_CR Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Thanks for the responses gents. Will do some research and see what I can find out. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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