Air conditioning refresh

[Mr Squashie]

Right, my aircon hasn't worked since I bought the car and seeing as we get proper summers here in Poland I really would like it to work.

My only clue is that it's missing? some seals or something, which a mechanic noticed when he pulled my engine out to do the belts and a clutch.

Something happens when I press the A/C button in the car so I presume something is engaging.

I've got myself what I think are all the correct seals to replace everything, and also some oil which is apparently required. Obviously I'll take it somewhere to have it pressure tested and re-gassed afterwards.

Explain to me like I'm an idiot (which shouldn't be hard) which pipes need taking off, how I remove them, is removing the bumper enough to access them all, how I check the oil level, and where do I fill up the oil?

 

[Louis]

Be prepared for a fucked condenser

 

[Mr Squashie]

Be prepared for a fucked condenser

I'm prepared for anything

 

[Martin_172]

As above id get a condenser for it as they are cheap.

You have 2 lines coming from the bulkhead to the compressor and condenser and then one pipe linking the 2.

There are various size oring seals on each joint (I just use universal kits with loads of seals in a box)


Id replace the condenser and the onrings on those pipes, then just leak test the rest as very rarely have I seen one leak, it's always holes in condensers.

A garage will then leak test it using nitrogen by pressuring the system and spraying soapy water over all the joins looking for bubbles, if good they will then vacuum and recharge the system

 

[MLB]

I've reinstalled the whole airconditioning system again myself on my Clio and it's pretty easy.

As above make sure to have a seal kit handy and some pag 46 oil. Clean connections, oil seals and put everything together as it came out. Don't over torque the bolts that hold pipes together.

Replace condenser and dryer at the same time which does require bumper to be off.

I believe a new pump comes prefilled with 150ml of oil and part replacements come with specific oil amounts (30 for condensor and 15ml for dryer rings a bell). I think I just dropped 200 ml in and bolted it all up.

Reinstating air con

My 182 had its air con / climate control removed by its previous owner. I’ve been told that the compressor etc are still all there and it just needs the rad and pipe work connecting back up (which I’ll need to source). Is it as straightforward as that? Never worked on air con before so any...

cliosport.net

My last post in there has some additional info.

 

[Louis]

Oil is automatically added during gassing.

 

[Mr Squashie]

Oh yeah, we're cooking with gas now 😎

 

[Martin_172]

Pieces D'origine - Good work sir

 

[Bluebeard]

Oh yeah, we're cooking with gas now 😎
View attachment 1699956

Hopefully you’re not still cooking and you’ve now fitted this?

 

[Mr Squashie]

Hopefully you’re not still cooking and you’ve now fitted this?

Lol
Lmao even

 

[Mr Squashie]

Maybe tomorrow 🤣

 

[Mr Squashie]

Took this bolt out but the thing won't budge 🤔
I've tried hitting it with my handbag to no avail

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Took this bolt out but the thing won't budge 🤔
I've tried hitting it with my handbag to no avail
View attachment 1703173

Should just pull out once the bolt is out. Get a bit of heat on it

 

[JamesBryan]

Get something in there to break the seal, flat head screwdriver or similar.

 

[Mr Squashie]

Success! Tempted to just take it to a garage now 🤣

 

[JamesBryan]

Have you got new o rings for the pipes?

 

[Mr Squashie]

What seals go where then? I've got these ready.

There don't appear to be any seals to replace on the pipes I just disconnected 🤔

 

[JamesBryan]

The top packet are ones from the AC compressor i think.

The others are for the various pipes.

Those pipe have got seals on, they just look like metal 😂

Have a dig at them and they'll come off.

 

[Mr Squashie]

Those pipe have got seals on, they just look like metal 😂

I was expecting crumbly rubber, I assumed they were bits of the pipe or something 🤣

 

[Mr Squashie]

I think I'm fighting a losing battle here

 

[JamesBryan]

I think I'm fighting a losing battle here
View attachment 1703181

Hmm, that one definitely looks like metal now you've scraped away at it

 

[JamesBryan]

Mine looked like that but a seal came off eventually.

Is there a seal stuck inside the rad?

 

[Mr Squashie]

Yeah, apparently pliers aren't a substitution for mole grips 🤣

 

[Mr Squashie]

Mine looked like that but a seal came off eventually.

Is there a seal stuck inside the rad?

No, nothing at all. I'm starting to think these were the missing seals mentioned earlier lol

 

[JamesBryan]

No, nothing at all. I'm starting to think these were the missing seals mentioned earlier lol

Suprised that held any gas at all with no seals 😂

 

[JamesBryan]

Apologies, it does have that metal lip which the seal then sits against.

Was convinced mine never, but i must be wrong.

 

[Louis]

Isn't that the oring?

 

[JamesBryan]

Isn't that the oring?

View attachment 1703185

That's the bolt hole, no?

 

[Louis]

That's the bolt hole, no?

 

[JamesBryan]

View attachment 1703186

Like the time i was asking you which side the pipe went in and out the dryer 😂

 

[Mr Underhill]

I think I'm fighting a losing battle here
View attachment 1703181

 

[Mr Squashie]

Well the good news is it's all back together. I filed away the evidence of me trying to remove the metal ring with rusty pliers and stuck some o-rings on there, coated in a bit of PAG46 oil. Also replaced the compressor seals while I was there, which were actually still attached which made a nice change. All lubed up and reinstalled.

The only casualty was this bolt which fell out when I was loosening one of the bottom brackets, as the radiator had turned to dust at that point. Ah well, 3 bolts is better than none 🤷🏻

Also found what I think is the cause of my oil leak, or at least one of my oil leaks 🙃 (what is this by the way?)

Bit annoyed that my phone died before I finished, so you'll just have to trust me that I put everything back together and didn't just throw everything in the boot and go back upstairs 🤣

 

[JamesBryan]

That bit leaking is the power steering pressure switch/sensor.

If you clean it all off, you should be able to tell where it's leaking from.

 

[Mr Squashie]

That bit leaking is the power steering pressure switch/sensor.

If you clean it all off, you should be able to tell where it's leaking from.

Does that mean I've got a power steering fluid leak as well 🤣

 

[Mr Squashie]

One step forward, two steps back

 

[JamesBryan]

Does that mean I've got a power steering fluid leak as well 🤣

Pretty common tbh

 

[Mr Squashie]

Am I right in thinking the compressor won't engage on an empty system?

 

[Brigsy]

Yep compressor wont cut in unless pressured up.

 

[Mr Squashie]

Right, fingers crossed then 🤞🏻

 

[Mr Squashie]

Pissflaps. Still leaking from somewhere.
What other seals are there? I did the ones in the compressor and the condenser. What did I miss?