AC System lost gas..........again
Discussion
Evening everyone.
Been to the Lotus Festival today, very good it was to see so many of us in the same place. If anyone went hope you had a good day (baring the patchy rain).
On the way back it was hot so flicked on the AC and absolutely no cool air coming out, AC comp’ clutch kicked in but just no gas in the system I assume.
The system was recharged due the same fault only 6 weeks ago and at the time I asked the dealer to check for leaks, they assured me they had and there was none (funny that as it was just before the warranty ran out)
Anyway, now I’ve got to get the system re-gassed again except this is pointless without tracing the leak. What I want to know is if there is a commonly faulty joint or weak point in the system that is the likely cause? Has anyone else had the same issue?
I want to know in advance as I am sure both clams will have to come off to investigate the fault and that’s going to cost me a substantial sum no doubt. If there’s something worth looking at that’s relative low cost before I go down this road then I’m willing to try it.
All advice welcome.
Been to the Lotus Festival today, very good it was to see so many of us in the same place. If anyone went hope you had a good day (baring the patchy rain).
On the way back it was hot so flicked on the AC and absolutely no cool air coming out, AC comp’ clutch kicked in but just no gas in the system I assume.
The system was recharged due the same fault only 6 weeks ago and at the time I asked the dealer to check for leaks, they assured me they had and there was none (funny that as it was just before the warranty ran out)
Anyway, now I’ve got to get the system re-gassed again except this is pointless without tracing the leak. What I want to know is if there is a commonly faulty joint or weak point in the system that is the likely cause? Has anyone else had the same issue?
I want to know in advance as I am sure both clams will have to come off to investigate the fault and that’s going to cost me a substantial sum no doubt. If there’s something worth looking at that’s relative low cost before I go down this road then I’m willing to try it.
All advice welcome.
How old is the car? K series engine cars had notoriously crap a/c. It got a bit better with the Toyota cars but tbh it's still rubbish compared with your average eurobox. If it's a K take the roof off and live with it. If it's later than that I believe the sills are a good place to start looking for leaks but someone might be along with some more precise help soon. If no one does, try seloc.
Mine does this. Had it recharged numerous times and the system is dead again a couple of weeks later with no evidence of where the leak could be. All the research I've done points to the pipes in the sills needing to be replaced with uprated flexible ones - there's a similar thread on SELOC at the moment where the estimate to fix is c1k for parts and labour. Don't know if the clams have to come off, but I'm going to get it done next year anyway. If it's a clam off job I'll get the radiator uprated (plastic end caps eventually crack) and the towing eye replaced as well.
I could live with a £1K fix but anything over that and it might be ignored until the panels were coming off for another reason. Keep me posted on your results and where you get the repair carried out as I may do the same. I've heard the compressors are know to fail also so I don't want to put too much effort into fixing it and then that blows.
If I have to have the front clam off I would also do the heater resistor mod as well as the rad. That cost approx. £1500 if it fails but only about £50 if the clam is already off.
Where do you go for maintenance in Essex? you might be close to me. I see a blue and white Sprint quite often.
If I have to have the front clam off I would also do the heater resistor mod as well as the rad. That cost approx. £1500 if it fails but only about £50 if the clam is already off.
Where do you go for maintenance in Essex? you might be close to me. I see a blue and white Sprint quite often.
TheTalentedMr said:
I can't answer that regarding the dye, I didn't ask and they didn't say.
So are you saying the AC clutch doesn't engage at all if the system is totally empty?
Yes, the AC clutch doesn't engage if the system is totally empty. You can hear it pretty clearly at start up when it's working. So are you saying the AC clutch doesn't engage at all if the system is totally empty?
I'm in the Colchester area, you? I use Hangar 111 in Woodbridge, they are about half an hour away from me. Good point on the heat resistor mod, if the clam comes off I'll get that done as well.
I'm in Wickford so that Sprint can't be you then.
As I mentioned the clutch is clicking on and off so the system can't be that low. You would have thought something would be coming out the vents then even if it wasn't that cold. It's either a very small leak which will be a nightmare to locate or something else in the HVAC unit perhaps.
I can see me going without AC for the foreseeable.
As I mentioned the clutch is clicking on and off so the system can't be that low. You would have thought something would be coming out the vents then even if it wasn't that cold. It's either a very small leak which will be a nightmare to locate or something else in the HVAC unit perhaps.
I can see me going without AC for the foreseeable.
I had the dreaded sill pipe problem with my 2009 Exige a couple of years ago. The garage arrived at this conclusion when the system was re-gassed and completely empty again a few days later, with no trace of any dye on the visible pipes. The cost for the repair was £975 at Bell and Colvill. And yes, it was a clam off job!
Apparently these new flexible pipes should not corrode in the same way as the original pipes fitted at the factory, so in theory it shouldn't happen again.
Apparently these new flexible pipes should not corrode in the same way as the original pipes fitted at the factory, so in theory it shouldn't happen again.
daz1001 said:
I had the dreaded sill pipe problem with my 2009 Exige a couple of years ago. The garage arrived at this conclusion when the system was re-gassed and completely empty again a few days later, with no trace of any dye on the visible pipes. The cost for the repair was £975 at Bell and Colvill. And yes, it was a clam off job!
Apparently these new flexible pipes should not corrode in the same way as the original pipes fitted at the factory, so in theory it shouldn't happen again.
Are they an aftermarket part then or is this a Lotus supplied item in response to all the problems? It would be handy to know as if I use a garage that hasn't come across the problem before I want to point them in the right direction. I generally use Stratton Motor Co in Norfolk for service and repairs and they seem pretty good. Apparently these new flexible pipes should not corrode in the same way as the original pipes fitted at the factory, so in theory it shouldn't happen again.
Also, what was the outcome? did it fix it?
Edited by TheTalentedMr on Monday 18th August 15:22
Someone recommended this to me today
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluid...
Anyone seen or used it before? Sounds risky as the details state it seals so quickly it can close up the re-fill port. Worth a try or not?
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluid...
Anyone seen or used it before? Sounds risky as the details state it seals so quickly it can close up the re-fill port. Worth a try or not?
Well I bit the bullet and tried this stuff, needed extension hose as well, but all went well. Had to put some gas in to bring on the compressor, then put in sealant and topped up with gas. All appears to have gone well, only time will tell I suppose. Just 1 question though. The air still does not feel that cold, just wondering if there is a flap thing that changes from cold to hot air when the temp control is moved? I do get hot air when it is set to hot, but only tepid air when set to cold. I have all speeds of fan, the compressor cuts in and out, but not really what you would call cold. Just wondering if there could be something else wrong. Maybe is was down to the fact that I was stationary in my garage, maybe some cool air flow is required?
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Yeah was easy enough. Needed extension hose due to location of ports. Might be able to do without if you remove o/side cooling vent. Supplied hose is v short, so check it out. But if not you need 4 items, gas,sealant,pressure gauge, and extension hose. PITA cos halfords 3 for 2 offer is good. Especially as there is a £10 deposit on the gas. Read instructions on sealant twice, as not really intuitive, in fact opposite to how I had imagined with regard to screwing in the cap puncture device.
No problem charging the system after sealing, does not fill quickly, have to keep shaking canister to fill, keep trigger pressed for 5 seconds or so to get good increase in system pressure. Just have gas canister ready to go, as soon as sealant is in. Did spill some as I disconnected, so have rags ready too. Have checked today, still functioning OK. Will keep eye on it over the next week or so. Had to put gas in first to get compressor to cut in, then put in sealant, then topped up gas.
No problem charging the system after sealing, does not fill quickly, have to keep shaking canister to fill, keep trigger pressed for 5 seconds or so to get good increase in system pressure. Just have gas canister ready to go, as soon as sealant is in. Did spill some as I disconnected, so have rags ready too. Have checked today, still functioning OK. Will keep eye on it over the next week or so. Had to put gas in first to get compressor to cut in, then put in sealant, then topped up gas.
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