Air Conditioning diagnosis

natnifnolnacs

I have an air con problem with a car I just bought. I have a diagnosis for the problem, but I would like a second opinion just to be sure as the current diagnosis will turn out to be a very expensive fix. Can anyone recommend someone decent with the proper gear to do a leak test?

Mugser

SP heat transfer out beyond Ferrybank did a service on the a/c on a previous car of mine a few years back.

http://www.cylex.ie/company/s.p.+heat+transfer-11009537.html

lassykk

I got this done only a couple of weeks ago in Fast Fit for €40. They are down near Superquinn. They check for leaks, etc and won't fill it with gas or anything unless the system is right. Don't think they offer mechanical work if there's something wrong though. You would probably have to go elsewhere for that.

They were sound out too so would recommend them.

The kit I was going to buy to do it myself in Halfords was €45 so I was happy :-)

natnifnolnacs

Thanks folks, that gives me a few options anyway.

razor_ryan

natnifnolnacs wrote: »

I have an air con problem with a car I just bought. I have a diagnosis for the problem, but I would like a second opinion just to be sure as the current diagnosis will turn out to be a very expensive fix. Can anyone recommend someone decent with the proper gear to do a leak test?

What was the diagnosis of your a/c leak ?

natnifnolnacs

razor_ryan wrote: »

What was the diagnosis of your a/c leak ?

The evaporator. A very expensive part, and a dash out job. They are not known for failing and apparently a few people with this make of car have had problems like this misdiagnosed before...not by this garage or anything, just in general.

Bensmyth

An Evap is not a common fault on any car and hard to diagnose.
What is the Make Model and year of your car?
Also were you talking with whom ever it was that diagnosed the problem and what equipment did they use?

A DIY kit is a waste of time as it only fills the system with gas.
Most garages cannot check for a leak even though they will tell you they can.
When servicing the AC system a vacuum is essential to the longevity and efficiency to the system as it removes harmful moisture from the system. Garages use this for leak checking as you cannot pull a vacuum if the AC is not sealed properly (ie a leak).
However here is the catch. A vacuum pulls a negative atmospheric pressure and in turn can cause a crack or hole to close tight. (Thus no leak detected)

The correct equipment is to pressurise the AC with nitrogen and monitor the system for pressure drop.
UV dye is also very effective if used correctly and if the gas is escaping the dye will emit from the system at the location of the leak. This dye can then be detected under a UV lamp.

If you give me more info about the car I might be able to offer some help.

natnifnolnacs

Bensmyth wrote: »

An Evap is not a common fault on any car and hard to diagnose.
What is the Make Model and year of your car?
Also were you talking with whom ever it was that diagnosed the problem and what equipment did they use?

A DIY kit is a waste of time as it only fills the system with gas.
Most garages cannot check for a leak even though they will tell you they can.
When servicing the AC system a vacuum is essential to the longevity and efficiency to the system as it removes harmful moisture from the system. Garages use this for leak checking as you cannot pull a vacuum if the AC is not sealed properly (ie a leak).
However here is the catch. A vacuum pulls a negative atmospheric pressure and in turn can cause a crack or hole to close tight. (Thus no leak detected)

The correct equipment is to pressurise the AC with nitrogen and monitor the system for pressure drop.
UV dye is also very effective if used correctly and if the gas is escaping the dye will emit from the system at the location of the leak. This dye can then be detected under a UV lamp.

If you give me more info about the car I might be able to offer some help.

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the reply, some good info there. It's a 2002 Saab 9-5. The main dealer diagnosed it as an evap problem several years ago before I owned it (I have full service history for the car.). Heater works perfectly well, it just doesn't get cold so 18 degrees on the climate control is exactly the same as the 15 degree/low setting. If you could recommend somewhere to get it properly checked I'd appreciate it.

Bensmyth

I know of a company in the Midlands who specialise solely in Air Conditioning. Air Con Automotive.
They have a web site if you google it you should find it. Give them a call see what they say.