[alfabeat]

Well the aircon is still working as well as it ever did (just been regassed in last service 300 miles ago), but when it is on, and I'm driving slowly and not accelerating, I am hearing a "chink" noise every second and it is as if the brakes are being dabbed on then released. Turn the Aircon off and it goes away, so it is definitely related to that.

Getting annoying seeing as it is at least 50 degrees here today......

Any ideas?

 

[Joss]

The chink is the clutch engaging on the pump. Sounds like it's run low on gas and is engaging and then stopping as they won't pump with low charge to protect the pump.

 

[alfabeat]

oh what a pain. It was only just re-gassed as part of a service, having worked fine for years.....should have left it alone.....!

Thanks Joss.

 

[Joss]

Can't be 100% mate. You need to get it checked to see how much charge is in it. Just redid mine and it only had about half left and that was done last year. But mine had a burst pipe when I bought it 2 years ago. Check the pipe that goes down the left side of the rad when you look at it from the front. That one is fairly common as is leaking from the valves

 

[olly6969]

It's possible it was overgassed which is only a problem now the weather has got hot. Need to check the pressure on the low pressure side of the system with the engine running and climate control on "lo". Too much or too little gas will show up that way.

 

[will01]

I just went to get mine re gassed and found couldnt charge, but also pump not kicking in and out. Decided to try relays and swap them around with inj an car run very badly coughing and spluttering but ac then was working ish. I take it my relays need changing? Where is a reliable place to purchase? Going away in car for holiday next week and we are going to need ac I reckon. Thanks for any advice

 

[alfabeat]

It's possible it was overgassed which is only a problem now the weather has got hot. Need to check the pressure on the low pressure side of the system with the engine running and climate control on "lo". Too much or too little gas will show up that way.

That would possibly make more sense, seeing as it has been working for years, then gets re-gassed and then has a problem straight after.

I presume a proper air con place is best to go to for checking?

 

[olly6969]

That would possibly make more sense, seeing as it has been working for years, then gets re-gassed and then has a problem straight after.

I presume a proper air con place is best to go to for checking?

I recharged the aircon in my Skoda. Didn't work when I bought the car but I decided to chance a refill. Bought a kit online which comes with a dispenser with a guage. To my pleasant surprise it now works perfectly. Even without a gas cylinder attached, you can measure the pressure. Mine is like this one from Halfrauds (but cost half as much online!)

Halfords | EZ Chill Auto Airconditioning Reusable Trigger Dispenser & Gauge

I would lend it to you, but Herefordshire is quite a way from here! Probably a cheaper option to take it to a garage, unless you are planning to do any aircon charging yourself in the future..

 

[AYAT]

I need to get mine checked I had both pipes replaced on both gtas and regased in the winter saloon is fine but the sportwagon Is blowing hot air which is a pain as its the daily driver and the saloon had been parked up, pipe I replaced was about 80 from the dealer which was the longer pipe, Any ideas? Ill Check the pipe joss mentioned as it is a proper arse not having air con in this weather. In comparison the wife's x5 we have had for over 5 years and its still blowing ice cold.

 

[olly6969]

Hmm, just realised I am talking borrox I think. The gauge I have only reads the correct pressure when the aircon compressor is RUNNING. If your clutch keeps disconnecting I don't think that approach will work.... Take it to a garage..

I recharged the aircon in my Skoda. Didn't work when I bought the car but I decided to chance a refill. Bought a kit online which comes with a dispenser with a gauge. To my pleasant surprise it now works perfectly. Even without a gas cylinder attached, you can measure the pressure. Mine is like this one from Halfrauds (but cost half as much online!)

Halfords | EZ Chill Auto Airconditioning Reusable Trigger Dispenser & Gauge

I would lend it to you, but Herefordshire is quite a way from here! Probably a cheaper option to take it to a garage, unless you are planning to do any aircon charging yourself in the future..

 

[alfabeat]

Will do - thanks for the advice

 

[bluematt1]

Well the aircon is still working as well as it ever did (just been regassed in last service 300 miles ago), but when it is on, and I'm driving slowly and not accelerating, I am hearing a "chink" noise every second and it is as if the brakes are being dabbed on then released. Turn the Aircon off and it goes away, so it is definitely related to that.

Getting annoying seeing as it is at least 50 degrees here today......

Any ideas?

When I done a regas on mine I put a little over on the gas and when the weather got warm the compressor clutch was going mad cutting in and out its a safety feature as the system is over pressurising .
I took a small amount out and sorted it , what sort of condition is your condenser in if tatty it won't be efficient and cause excessive heat /or you have a blockage in the refrigerant circuit .
Driers in AC systems are also meant to be changed every 5 yrs

 

[GTA_Nigel]

The drier could be the problem, that was an issue on mine. I had it regassed and that did not solve the problem, as bluematt says this is supposed to be changed at a specific service interval. Once the drier was changed, the system was fine.

 

[alfabeat]

When I done a regas on mine I put a little over on the gas and when the weather got warm the compressor clutch was going mad cutting in and out its a safety feature as the system is over pressurising .
I took a small amount out and sorted it , what sort of condition is your condenser in if tatty it won't be efficient and cause excessive heat /or you have a blockage in the refrigerant circuit .
Driers in AC systems are also meant to be changed every 5 yrs

Is it a DIY job to remove some of the gas?

 

[Autolusso]

Is it a DIY job to remove some of the gas?

Hi Rowan, it is not possible to over gas with our machine

Sounds like you could have a leak

Very difficult to comment on what has happening without looking

Ned

 

[alfabeat]

Oh ok Ned - I'll find a local air con specialist and see what they can find....

cheers

 

[Maser3200]

I had mine regassed (as part of the engine rebuild) but it was not very cold, given that it was off the road for six months some of the seals may have dried out. NJS in Pershore normally sort out these issues , pipes etc but its the first time I have heard about the driers needing to be looked at.

 

[alfabeat]

Further investigation......air con works fine when it is cooler, only starts playing up when gets very hot. So, seeing as it probably isn't over gassed (Ned says their machine can't over gas it), then what else could it be? Its not getting cool enough, so is there a cooling fan for it or something which could have stopped working?

 

[bluematt1]

Further investigation......air con works fine when it is cooler, only starts playing up when gets very hot. So, seeing as it probably isn't over gassed (Ned says their machine can't over gas it), then what else could it be? Its not getting cool enough, so is there a cooling fan for it or something which could have stopped working?

It could still be over gassed and the ambient heat when the system is working is causing the pressure to exceed its pressure parameter .
Is your condenser in good condition this is where the system gets Hot as such and the engine cooling fans cool it down is there an air flow issue or your fans not running at full speed ?
On a high temp day systems on high side can go to 15 or 18 bar ,systems tend to shut down on safety at 25 bar if not just before .
If you can't read the pressures it hard to see what's happening

 

[Mathias]

Ac rad sits in front of regular rad so uses same fans. It could of course be full of bugs and other crap or have all the fins bent, but that should have been noted and mentioned during ac service.

My guess would be a leak developed somewhere when it was re-gassed (weak part lasted while pressure was low but sufficient to cool, but gave up when pressurized to correct level).