[Mr_G]

My aircon doesn't work. I want it to work. It was re-gassed in August '15 and at that time they were only able to recover 80gs of refrigerant. They also added a dye as they suspected a leak. Today I've had the car to an automative air-con specialist who has, from the sections of the system that he can access, confirmed that there are several leaks, some worse than others. I was told that to replace the faulty parts and lengths of pipe would be close to £1000. Wonderful. However, an alternative would be to repair a handful of the leaks by combination of replacing 0-rings and repairing sections of pipe (not sure how they would do this tbh). Including labour (bumper removal, etc) they quoted £300. Still a lot I thought given that I will still have a leaky system. Having said that it shouldn't require re-gassing as often. Maybe every 12 months instead of every 6. Who knows...

What do you guys think? Does this sound familiar? What would you pay to have working aircon?

 

[Alan Walker]

My aircon doesn't work. I want it to work. It was re-gassed in August '15 and at that time they were only able to recover 80gs of refrigerant. They also added a dye as they suspected a leak. Today I've had the car to an automative air-con specialist who has, from the sections of the system that he can access, confirmed that there are several leaks, some worse than others. I was told that to replace the faulty parts and lengths of pipe would be close to £1000. Wonderful. However, an alternative would be to repair a handful of the leaks by combination of replacing 0-rings and repairing sections of pipe (not sure how they would do this tbh). Including labour (bumper removal, etc) they quoted £300. Still a lot I thought given that I will still have a leaky system. Having said that it shouldn't require re-gassing as often. Maybe every 12 months instead of every 6. Who knows...

What do you guys think? Does this sound familiar? What would you pay to have working aircon?

Hi,

It really depends how deep your pockets are, how much time you spend in the car and how long you intend to keep it. The greater the value of each of these factors, the further towards the full solution you will be propelled. Only you know the answer to those questions.

Personally, I intend to keep my GT 3.2 indefinitely so I would not hesitate to get it fully sorted.

 

[alfabeat]

Are they sure the compressor is not leaking? That's £300 on its own. My worry would be that they "carry out the £300 repair" then the compressor also needs changing.

 

[SLM3CFC]

I would replace all o rings that have signs of leakage. Why do pipes need to be replaced?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[jurdy1]

I had a load of work done on one of my GTV's , new compressor, condenser, a bit of pipe work and I think the bill was nigh on a grand. To be honest I don't care so much in the summer but it's invaluable in the winter.

 

[Spiritof76]

Do it once & do it right ! It's painful but sometimes you've got to soak up the big bills
Just make sure you use it regularly once sorted !

 

[jwq]

..... To be honest I don't care so much in the summer but it's invaluable in the winter.

Except the aircon doesn't work anymore below +3 degr.C ......

 

[Pud237]

Do an A/C delete, more space in the engine bay, less weight over the front wheels, less drag on the auxiliary belt, better airflow over the coolant radiator - what's not to like?

 

[frankxq]

First thing I had done when I bought my 166 couple of weeks ago was had the air-con checked out. It had only 200-odd grams versus 700 full, so obviously a slow leak somewhere. Also it was slow to cool the air. Authorised a service of the compressor and it was when they got to it they discovered a couple of leaks at the compressor itself. No sign of leaks elsewhere. Upshot was replacement of these parts (see pic) and a regas. Cost: the parts @ 220 Bulgarian leva (= GBP94.40), labour @ 70 leva (GBP30.00) and gas @ 50 leva (GBP21.50). So all up, GBP146.00. And now working a treat. One of the benefits of living in the 3rd World.

 

[goremohekan]

My 166 had lots of small leaks all over the place. It would hold gas for about a month.

I had the system re-gassed (again) and added this for a £25 punt. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0049MM...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=87YDASBSW4KG8DGBSV3P


That was two years ago...the aircon is still going strong....

 

[Mr_G]

Thanks all (except "sweaty pits" Daniel!) for your helpful replies, as per the general consensus I think it needs doing properly. Oh god, another massive bill. When will it all end... *headinhands*

I would replace all o rings that have signs of leakage. Why do pipes need to be replaced?

Yeah that's a good question, I don't honestly know. I will ask them.

Edit. I've uploaded the print out showing where all the leaks are supposed to be. Like you say, I don't understand why a section of pipe can be leaking, fair enough if it's at a joint but these don't appear to be.

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo1/Birtybasset/airconp1.jpg
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo1/Birtybasset/airconp2.jpg

 

[frankxq]

The refrigerant gas is carried thru the pipes - aluminium or rubber - under very high pressure and if a portion of pipe is weakened somehow - eg by vibration and contact with some metal part of the car - tiny fissures can form which ultimately allow gas to escape. At least, that's what they told me.

 

[REDGAZ]

My 166 had lots of small leaks all over the place. It would hold gas for about a month.

I had the system re-gassed (again) and added this for a £25 punt. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0049MM...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=87YDASBSW4KG8DGBSV3P


That was two years ago...the aircon is still going strong....

Just to be clear, is it ok to use this after the system has recently been re-gassed?. I've just had my GTV re-gassed but it only lasts for about six months. This stuff maybe worth a go.

 

[goremohekan]

Just to be clear, is it ok to use this after the system has recently been re-gassed?. I've just had my GTV re-gassed but it only lasts for about six months. This stuff maybe worth a go.

I added it a couple of days after a re-gas, obviously the pressure in the system had dropped slightly as it was leaking out at a rate of knotts.

I had some negative stick from some in the 166 lounge who believed I would damage my aircon system by using this. However, my aircon system had minor leaks all over the place....£1000 at least to repair....in other words it was nicely damaged already....anyhow, this stuff worked...it is not to be confused with older "repair" kits that crystallise in the system and damage the compressor.

 

[amclean]

I had to have aluminium alloy pipes replaced at around 8yrs old. I also had the dryer replaced - a dessicant based filter that draws water out the refrigerant. It was pretty good after that.

 

[REDGAZ]

I added it a couple of days after a re-gas, obviously the pressure in the system had dropped slightly as it was leaking out at a rate of knotts.

I had some negative stick from some in the 166 lounge who believed I would damage my aircon system by using this. However, my aircon system had minor leaks all over the place....£1000 at least to repair....in other words it was nicely damaged already....anyhow, this stuff worked...it is not to be confused with older "repair" kits that crystallise in the system and damage the compressor.

Thanks for the reply, I wondered if the can would have enough pressure to get the stuff in against a pressurised system.

 

[115686]

My GTA aircon fixing adventures here:

Alfa GTA Sportwagon - Page 1 - Readers' Cars - PistonHeads

Thankfully mine was simple, a visible hole in the radiator, which cost £80 for a new one. I was doing the main radiator anyway, so it was an easy fix. If you are remotely handy with spanners, replacing this stuff is not hard - new parts and new o-rings. The hardest bit is taking the bumper off.

 

[Mr_G]

My 166 had lots of small leaks all over the place. It would hold gas for about a month.

I had the system re-gassed (again) and added this for a £25 punt. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0049MM...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=87YDASBSW4KG8DGBSV3P


That was two years ago...the aircon is still going strong....

Aircon re-gassed and "goop" added!! Thanks for the heads up on that. :thumbup: Let's see what happens... As you say, the entire system is pretty much knackered so a £25 punt is worth it in my book.

 

[alfabeat]

I put a new radiator and compressor on mine then had it re-gassed. i have never had the air con so good in the 8 years I've owned it. Mind you I don't really use it enough to warrant spending that amount on it, and should have done what Dan suggested and just get rid of the whole system...

 

[Mymatemarmite]

I put a new radiator and compressor on mine then had it re-gassed. i have never had the air con so good in the 8 years I've owned it. Mind you I don't really use it enough to warrant spending that amount on it, and should have done what Dan suggested and just get rid of the whole system...

Now that you've spent that money on the system use the air con for a little while each time you drive the car...just to keep the gases flowing through the system and to help to ensure that the oil maintains lubrication of the o rings.