Aircon compressor cutting in/out
Discussion
Having replaced the compressor (which I was told was the cause of the leak), the condenser (which was old, bent and corroded) and the seals I have ice cold aircon in my old 2010 mini.
However, every 40-60 seconds and only when driving, there is a click and the rpm blips up or down. Exactly the same as it would if you switch the aircon on or off.
When the car is sitting at idle its fine, rock steady rpm with the aircon on or off (about 700 or 900 rpm).
Its not really noticable driving but in traffic (which is most of its use) its very noticeable and irritating, gaining or losing power as you drive.
Before the new bits where put in and the system regassed it all ran smoothly albeit with lukewarm aircon.
Anything obvious to check? Am I right in thinking if it was pressure it would do it at idle as well?
However, every 40-60 seconds and only when driving, there is a click and the rpm blips up or down. Exactly the same as it would if you switch the aircon on or off.
When the car is sitting at idle its fine, rock steady rpm with the aircon on or off (about 700 or 900 rpm).
Its not really noticable driving but in traffic (which is most of its use) its very noticeable and irritating, gaining or losing power as you drive.
Before the new bits where put in and the system regassed it all ran smoothly albeit with lukewarm aircon.
Anything obvious to check? Am I right in thinking if it was pressure it would do it at idle as well?
21TonyK said:
Having replaced the compressor (which I was told was the cause of the leak), the condenser (which was old, bent and corroded) and the seals I have ice cold aircon in my old 2010 mini.
However, every 40-60 seconds and only when driving, there is a click and the rpm blips up or down. Exactly the same as it would if you switch the aircon on or off.
When the car is sitting at idle its fine, rock steady rpm with the aircon on or off (about 700 or 900 rpm).
Its not really noticable driving but in traffic (which is most of its use) its very noticeable and irritating, gaining or losing power as you drive.
Before the new bits where put in and the system regassed it all ran smoothly albeit with lukewarm aircon.
Anything obvious to check? Am I right in thinking if it was pressure it would do it at idle as well?
Probably cycling on and off as it's meant too as it's achieving temp due to airflow when moving.However, every 40-60 seconds and only when driving, there is a click and the rpm blips up or down. Exactly the same as it would if you switch the aircon on or off.
When the car is sitting at idle its fine, rock steady rpm with the aircon on or off (about 700 or 900 rpm).
Its not really noticable driving but in traffic (which is most of its use) its very noticeable and irritating, gaining or losing power as you drive.
Before the new bits where put in and the system regassed it all ran smoothly albeit with lukewarm aircon.
Anything obvious to check? Am I right in thinking if it was pressure it would do it at idle as well?
Panamax said:
21TonyK said:
Having replaced the compressor (which I was told was the cause of the leak), the condenser (which was old, bent and corroded) and the seals I have ice cold aircon in my old 2010 mini.
So how did you re-gas it? Have you got the right quantity and pressure in there?Link to their report/pics...
https://external.mycarsvhc.co.uk/kwikfit/20743117/...
The only -'ve on the report was...
Which wasnt mentioned and means nothing to me
Edited by 21TonyK on Monday 6th July 21:44
richhead said:
Most important question, is it blowing cold air?
An older type a/c will click in and out with a noticeable cut in rpm and power.
If its blowing cold then its probably ok, if not it will most likely be a blocked evaporator.
Blowing cold, 7C so thats not an issue. Its shortcycling (i believe thats what its called!) at idle unless the aircon fan is on more than one click (basically 20%+) and then shortcycles when driving at anything other than max fan.An older type a/c will click in and out with a noticeable cut in rpm and power.
If its blowing cold then its probably ok, if not it will most likely be a blocked evaporator.
Its had a new compressort and condenser. Before these were changed it was fine but losing gas slowly so had to be regassed every year. This time I replaced the bits before it was regassed. AFAIK its not leaking but I dont believe kwikfit have UV dye in their gas which is bloody annoying.
Plus... when it was regassed threre was no record of PAG being added although all the kwikfit blurb says this is added along with the gas.
I've got a refill hose and a UV dye injector, just waiting on a can of gas to be delivered so I can look myself.
I've got a bit of a feeling the pressure could be low?
21TonyK said:
Blowing cold, 7C so thats not an issue. Its shortcycling (i believe thats what its called!) at idle unless the aircon fan is on more than one click (basically 20%+) and then shortcycles when driving at anything other than max fan.
Its had a new compressort and condenser. Before these were changed it was fine but losing gas slowly so had to be regassed every year. This time I replaced the bits before it was regassed. AFAIK its not leaking but I dont believe kwikfit have UV dye in their gas which is bloody annoying.
Plus... when it was regassed threre was no record of PAG being added although all the kwikfit blurb says this is added along with the gas.
I've got a refill hose and a UV dye injector, just waiting on a can of gas to be delivered so I can look myself.
I've got a bit of a feeling the pressure could be low?
Take it to a decent garage, we had one in-this week we took 800g out and put in just under 600g, you really need to put the correct amount of gas in and you cannot get that from a can.Its had a new compressort and condenser. Before these were changed it was fine but losing gas slowly so had to be regassed every year. This time I replaced the bits before it was regassed. AFAIK its not leaking but I dont believe kwikfit have UV dye in their gas which is bloody annoying.
Plus... when it was regassed threre was no record of PAG being added although all the kwikfit blurb says this is added along with the gas.
I've got a refill hose and a UV dye injector, just waiting on a can of gas to be delivered so I can look myself.
I've got a bit of a feeling the pressure could be low?
We never add dye.
stevemcs said:
21TonyK said:
Blowing cold, 7C so thats not an issue. Its shortcycling (i believe thats what its called!) at idle unless the aircon fan is on more than one click (basically 20%+) and then shortcycles when driving at anything other than max fan.
Its had a new compressort and condenser. Before these were changed it was fine but losing gas slowly so had to be regassed every year. This time I replaced the bits before it was regassed. AFAIK its not leaking but I dont believe kwikfit have UV dye in their gas which is bloody annoying.
Plus... when it was regassed threre was no record of PAG being added although all the kwikfit blurb says this is added along with the gas.
I've got a refill hose and a UV dye injector, just waiting on a can of gas to be delivered so I can look myself.
I've got a bit of a feeling the pressure could be low?
Take it to a decent garage, we had one in-this week we took 800g out and put in just under 600g, you really need to put the correct amount of gas in and you cannot get that from a can.Its had a new compressort and condenser. Before these were changed it was fine but losing gas slowly so had to be regassed every year. This time I replaced the bits before it was regassed. AFAIK its not leaking but I dont believe kwikfit have UV dye in their gas which is bloody annoying.
Plus... when it was regassed threre was no record of PAG being added although all the kwikfit blurb says this is added along with the gas.
I've got a refill hose and a UV dye injector, just waiting on a can of gas to be delivered so I can look myself.
I've got a bit of a feeling the pressure could be low?
We never add dye.
Could it be anything to do with me not checking/adding PAG oil when I put the new compressor in?
When it cuts in and out its a hell of a jolt compared to the old one which was barely noticeable (and didnt cut in. and out all the time)
Also, you can hear the new compressor whirring which you didn't on the old one.
I've got three options.
Pay another 80 quid and find the new compressor is the problem.
Reinstall the new compressor making sure it has the recommended 110ml of oil before regassing and find out if the mmissing oil is the issue.
Reinstall the old compressor with the recommented 110ml of oil and hope it was the O-rings on the the pipes to the compressor failing and not that it was leaking from the drive shaft?
Meanwhile... the other R56 has a hole in the lower aircon hose big enough to see! New hose ordered so hopefully that one will be fixed soon as well
When it cuts in and out its a hell of a jolt compared to the old one which was barely noticeable (and didnt cut in. and out all the time)
Also, you can hear the new compressor whirring which you didn't on the old one.
I've got three options.
Pay another 80 quid and find the new compressor is the problem.
Reinstall the new compressor making sure it has the recommended 110ml of oil before regassing and find out if the mmissing oil is the issue.
Reinstall the old compressor with the recommented 110ml of oil and hope it was the O-rings on the the pipes to the compressor failing and not that it was leaking from the drive shaft?
Meanwhile... the other R56 has a hole in the lower aircon hose big enough to see! New hose ordered so hopefully that one will be fixed soon as well
Edited by 21TonyK on Tuesday 14th July 21:29
Hopefully all issues on both cars resolved.
First one with a new condenser and compressor. Compressor short cycling. Removed the compressor and drained the oil then filled with 150ml on PAG on the basis there would be some residual but not a lot. Then filled the gas from a can which was a mix of gas and oil.
It now doesnt short cycle and when it kicks in and out its more gentle. Not unnoticable like the original but not an issue. Main thing is its running as it should and its cold!
Second one has a new condenser but then discovered a hole in the lower coolant pipe so wouldnt hold gas at all. Replaced the pipe and regassed with gas/oil and its running cold and is as it should be.
So essentially the complicated bit was the oil in the compressor, lots of information on google about oil levels etc so went down the middle and seems to be fine (so far).
First one with a new condenser and compressor. Compressor short cycling. Removed the compressor and drained the oil then filled with 150ml on PAG on the basis there would be some residual but not a lot. Then filled the gas from a can which was a mix of gas and oil.
It now doesnt short cycle and when it kicks in and out its more gentle. Not unnoticable like the original but not an issue. Main thing is its running as it should and its cold!
Second one has a new condenser but then discovered a hole in the lower coolant pipe so wouldnt hold gas at all. Replaced the pipe and regassed with gas/oil and its running cold and is as it should be.
So essentially the complicated bit was the oil in the compressor, lots of information on google about oil levels etc so went down the middle and seems to be fine (so far).
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff