Aircon re-gas

[SimonKD]

Hi All

Having carried out loads of checks on my aircon wiring I'm now narrowed down to either low gas or faulty pressure switch on the drier bottle.
Have any of you folks ever had to change the pressure switch or are they quite reliable?
Also is it possible for an aircon specialist to measure how much gas is in the system and only re-gas if needed?
I've also read 2 conflicting amounts of gas required which were 600g and 900g, which is right. Are aircon systems on all models and years the same?
I've also read PAG46 oil should be used as lubricant, is this correct?

Sorry about all the questions again just want it sorted as it's getting warmer each day.

Regards
Simon.

[ridds]

Apparently the switch can stick and might need a tap.

I've heard from a TVR main dealer tech that the fill of a Cerb is 950g. Tuscans are apparently 650g odd. However I'm not sure. I'm having mine filled today (fingers crossed) and see what it takes to activate the switch.

I'll post up if I find out.

[Byker28i]

Factory told me last year that my 97 4.2 cerbera was 600g and Pag46 oil. That's waht I had mine filled to/with and it worked great (for some time)

[cerby 4.2]

had mine filled to 600g as well, it works fine

[Ireland]

SimonKD said:

.....is it possible for an aircon specialist to measure how much gas is in the system and only re-gas if needed?

Yes.

SimonKD said:

I've also read 2 conflicting amounts of gas required which were 600g and 900g, which is right.

Start at the lower end and add more if necessary.

Too little gas won't cause any major problems.

Whoever is filling it should be able to work out when it's charged from the gauges that'll be connected to it while charging.

[ridds]

Hmmm Mr TVR Tech was ceretain that it was 900g to 1000g for the Cerb and 600g for the Tuscan.

Just had 940g put in mine and all works fine when the pump was over ridden with a 12V feed.

Bugger, might have to just bypass the pressure switch.

[SimonKD]

Thanks for all the info Chaps.

If only I'd have looked properly in the first place in the engine bay I'd have seen the small metallic sticker saying:

Refrigerant - R134A
Charge - 1.00kg
Oil Type - PAG Oil SP-10
Oil Amount - 150ml

Been quoted £70 +vat so far, does that seem about right. Just hope it is low gas now otherwise the pressure switch fun will begin. I've already had the inspection panel under the n/s wheelarch off and give the bottle, switch a good tapping. Plug is spotless, no water or corrosion at all. Fingers crossed.

Once again thanks for the help.

Regards
Simon.

[Byker28i]

SimonKD said:

Thanks for all the info Chaps.

If only I'd have looked properly in the first place in the engine bay I'd have seen the small metallic sticker saying:

Refrigerant - R134A
Charge - 1.00kg
Oil Type - PAG Oil SP-10
Oil Amount - 150ml

Been quoted £70 +vat so far, does that seem about right. Just hope it is low gas now otherwise the pressure switch fun will begin. I've already had the inspection panel under the n/s wheelarch off and give the bottle, switch a good tapping. Plug is spotless, no water or corrosion at all. Fingers crossed.

Once again thanks for the help.

Regards
Simon.

Hum interesting. Price is about right - I think I paid about £85 in all

[ridds]

£20

I'm hot wiring my low switch tonight to get it working for the next fortnight.

[SimonKD]

Thanks again for all the advice and info.

Got mine regassed today at Motor Climate UK LTD located in Birmingham close to the football ground. Excellent service and very knowledgable people even on Cerbs. My system was found to contain only 70g of refrigerant. Anyway, system was drained and vacuumed out, fresh oil and 750g of new refrigerant injected. Aircon worked straight away and colder than it's ever been and all for the sum of £47 inc VAT.

Couple of things though. My low pressure fan is not working so it's relying on the other fan keep cutting in and out. Should one fan be on all the time on Cerbs as long as the aircon is on or not? Also no leaks found with the UV lamp and yellow sunglasses so great.

The guy said system should be regassed every 2 years so She's not done bad to manage just over 4.

Just got to get this fan sorted now, any info appreciated.

Regards
Simon.

[Byker28i]

Mine needs regassing and checking again I think. However I'll get a bulk deal and get the mx-5 done at the same time.

[hugepiece]

got someone coming to gas and oil mine tomorrow for 65quid - just hope thats all that is stopping it working! Nearly melted in the sun the weekend.

Word of warning though - spoke to a mate who works in air-con (but not really cars), he advised that some places will gas up the system but not re-oil. Apparantly if the gas is empty moisture sets in and wrecks the oil, within a week or two the compressor can seize, shredding the belt with the obvious consequences - just a thought!

[SimonKD]

Hi All

Any advice or info on checking the operation of my faulty fan? Apparantly the low pressure fan is not working and the system is relying on the second fan which keeps cutting in and out when aircon is on. Should the one fan be on all the time when aircon is on.

Any help/advice much appreciated.

Regards
Simon.

[SimonKD]

Anybody?

[Tvr_Edd]

Sorry can't help Simon, but that's a good price for the aircon, i got charged £75 plus VAT for my aircon when i had to have my engine out (i presume they had to recharge aircon) so at least I know where to go in the future

whereabouts in the midlands are you, your car is beautiful

Edited by Tvr_Edd on Thursday 7th June 15:48

[JensenA]

No the air-con fan doesn't come on when the air con is switched on. No 1 fan comes on first, it will cut out when the temp drops to normal, but if the temperature keeps rising, then No 2 fan cuts in to give it a hand till the temperature drops back to normal.

[southendpier]

Got mine regassed today for 70 exc vat. For those gas was empty, so clutch not working etc etc. No obvious leaks, so should be good now for the summer.

[SimonKD]

Hi Edd

I'm from a small area 2 miles east of Dudley called Oakham. Thanks for the compliment nice coming from a fellow 2003 owner.

The chap at Motor Climate UK was very good and was knowledgable about Cerb aircon as well as other aspects of the car. Proper wing protectors were used at all times and they don't mind if you stand and watch their every move.

Their website is here http://www.motorclimate.co.uk 

Regards
Simon.

[JensenA]

JensenA said:

No the air-con fan doesn't come on when the air con is switched on. No 1 fan comes on first, it will cut out when the temp drops to normal, but if the temperature keeps rising, then No 2 fan cuts in to give it a hand till the temperature drops back to normal.

Correction! I've just been adjusting the idling speed on mine, it was stalling at idle when I switched air con on. I noticed that as soon as I switched on the Air Con, the offside fan switched on immediately, and switched off when I turned the Air Con off.

[SimonKD]

Thanks for the info JensenA

Regards
Simon