Air Conditioning Leak

[BillNick]

Hi all,

So after my Air Con stopped blowing cold and then started hissing, I took it to Kwik-Fit for a recharge at the weekend.

They told me they couldn't fill it as it had a leak and told me to see a specialist.

I wondered before I do go to a specialist and pay out for diagnostics, are there any DIY diagnostic checks I can perform myself?

A few things/events listed below leading up to this discovery which may help hint a diagnosis:

1) I DIY fitted a Grom Audio a couple of weeks before my Air Con started to lack cold temperature - is it possible I have damaged something whilst working behind the AC unit and stereo?

2) As mentioned above my air con starting lacking cold temp and now it starts hissing loudly through the vents if it is switched on.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bill :-)

[The Transporter]

It's unlikely that it is anything that you have done.. You need to find someone who can identify where the leak is... Thickfit.

[BillNick]

Yeh I wouldn't normally touch Kwik-Fit with a barge pole but as it is a simply job and the location was convenient I just went to them.

Course, I shall be seeking a specialist for diagnosis and repair. Was just hoping to DIY diagnose mysefl save a few pennies.

[The Transporter]

Doing it yourself is tricky unless you have the connectors and hoses to connect to the aircon service ports and a bottle of Oxygen free Nitrogen to pressurise the system and a garden sprayer full of soapy water... First place that I would look is the condenser (In front of the radiator) for stone damage, corrosion or the like... Are there any oily patches on the matrix or pipework leading to it

[BillNick]

Where about's is the matrix located? I can inspect the compressor I guess. May be worth calling a few specialists for a price to diagnose a system leak.

[The Transporter]

The condenser matrix is the radiator looking thing in front of the radiator... It is tricky to give a fixed price for a leak that you have no idea where it is but I'm sure someone may give you a quote.

[BillNick]

Hi,

Update incase anyone is following this thread...

I had a mobile independent AC guy come and diagnose my leak and have to say was very impressed with the service. I need a new condenser. Looks a stone has hit it at some point down in the bottom right hand corner. That collapsed a few of the fins which have now corroded through the matrix.

£24inc VAT for the diagnosis which took about 15mins with 'Aircon Direct' which are a family business (father and son) in the Kent area.

I explained I know my way around a car, and he proceeded to show me how to remove and replace the condenser! "Bloody nice chap indeed".

Anyone have any idea how much a genuine condenser is? I have seen a Nissen branded one for £96 delivered. Any other reputable brands?

[The Transporter]

That is an uncommonly good price, these are the guys who need our support rather than thickfit.... glad that it is a nice straight forward fix. Cant comment on the quality of the condenser, aftermarket condensers seem to be all made in the same factory with different stickers on