Air Conditioning Pipe Snapped

[Niall]

My air con hasn't worked since I got the car, and when it went in for some work at a specialist at the start of the year he mentioned one of the air con pipes being snapped. Thought I'd look into it at some later date, had bigger fish to fry with the car at that point.

A few months back I went to investigate and found the problem (see below pics). Obvious enough what the problem is there, so it's one of the pipes either into or out of the pump (I have no idea what is what with air con systems). When it was at @bloke's place a couple of weeks ago he had a brief look at it and said he thought it was a short one from memory (again, I have no idea, so if anyone can confirm this that'd be ace).


BG 182 by Niall97, on Flickr

The furthest one away of the two in this pic, just included this to give an idea of where it is (see the alternator on the right and radiator infront).

BG 182 by Niall97, on Flickr



Basically just need to know what I need to sort this. Assuming it's just a case of getting that pipe and then re-gassing? I've really missed the air con in this weather, about time I get it sorted.

 

[NorthloopCup]

The biggest concern I'd have is if the drier/accumulator has drawn in moisture. It needs to dry the air to stop ice crystals forming when the system is in operation. If it's full of moisture, it stops the ac system working correctly mate.

Only way you'll know is when you regas it unfortunately. You can watch the refrigerant burning off the moisture in the accumulator as well as it freezes the outside of it! Looks pretty cool tbh. Lol

 

[Niall]

The biggest concern I'd have is if the drier/accumulator has drawn in moisture. It needs to dry the air to stop ice crystals forming when the system is in operation. If it's full of moisture, it stops the ac system working correctly mate.

Only way you'll know is when you regas it unfortunately. You can watch the refrigerant burning off the moisture in the accumulator as well as it freezes the outside of it! Looks pretty cool tbh. Lol

I see! So if that has happened it's just a case of doing it twice so the refrigerant gets rid of the moisture first time round?

 

[NorthloopCup]

I see! So if that has happened it's just a case of doing it twice so the refrigerant gets rid of the moisture first time round?

Worst case scenario is that you would have to replace the accumulator mate as it would be too saturated for the refrigerant to boil the moisture off.

 

[Niall]

Worst case scenario is that you would have to replace the accumulator mate as it would be too saturated for the refrigerant to boil the moisture off.

Ah fair enough!


Any ideas what pipe I'm looking for anyone?

 

[Niall]

Anyone know what pipe it would be?

 

[NorthloopCup]

Small pipe is the high pressure pipe. Larger bore pipe is low pressure. That's as much as I can tell you though mate, so not sure if that's any use?

 

[Niall]

Small pipe is the high pressure pipe. Larger bore pipe is low pressure. That's as much as I can tell you though mate, so not sure if that's any use?

Cheers mate, I think it may just be a case of buying all of them when some come up anyway really since they're always sold as a complete set of pipes, so I've pretty much answered my own question there haha!

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Alright Niall .
I had a problem with my air con pipes . I noticed it wasn't getting cold anymore . So I took it to be regassed only to be told that 2 pipes had been rubbing together . On closer inspection it turned out it was just 1 pipe that that was doubled back on itself in a U shape . When I had a new alternator fitted they must have bent the pipes out of the way causing them to rub together and slowly make 2 holes , so I lost all the gas.
There's a guy on here called Sion , usename m2kdillon , he had a few sets of air con pipes for sale back in May . It might be worth messaging him and seeing if he still has some left .
In this thread you can see the pipe(s) that had been rubbing together . It looks similar to yours .
http://www.cliosport.net/threads/air-con-pipes-wanted.807312/
Once i got the pipe changed and regassed its been fine ever since , " touch wood " .

 

[Niall]

Alright Niall .
I had a problem with my air con pipes . I noticed it wasn't getting cold anymore . So I took it to be regassed only to be told that 2 pipes had been rubbing together . On closer inspection it turned out it was just 1 pipe that that was doubled back on itself in a U shape . When I had a new alternator fitted they must have bent the pipes out of the way causing them to rub together and slowly make 2 holes , so I lost all the gas.
There's a guy on here called Sion , usename m2kdillon , he had a few sets of air con pipes for sale back in May . It might be worth messaging him and seeing if he still has some left .
In this thread you can see the pipe(s) that had been rubbing together . It looks similar to yours .
http://www.cliosport.net/threads/air-con-pipes-wanted.807312/
Once i got the pipe changed and regassed its been fine ever since , " touch wood " .

Ah cheers mate! I'll drop Sion a message and see if he does, fingers crossed.