Bonny's A/C Issue

[JamesT5]

Purely an optional repair this but I'd like to get it done at some point....

I've been rummaging round today having a look for any obvious reasons why the A/C is leaking on the D5. ATS did a pressure test on the system with O2 free Nitrogen and the machine detected a 'leak' (the reason for system not working then ). So, they were unable to charge it back up for obvious reasons (legal and common sense) and I wouldn't want them to if there was a leak even if they could. They did the UV wand test and couldn't see any dye leaking anywhere although I think it was a superficial look and they didn't charge me for the 'service'.

So before I cart it off to an A/C 'specialist' for the proper dye treatment, I thought I'd have a look in case the solution was smacking me in the face. I visually checked as much of the pipework as possible, I noticed what appears to be an A/C related pipe going along the bottom of the radiator, I/C, Condenser assembly to the Condenser itself and this looked rather rusty on the surface but nothing obviously rusted through.

I also noted the condenser has seen better days and on a side note, there is a bolt missing from the lower n/s that holds the 3 units together so I wonder if the assembly has been completely apart at some point in the past, and something damaged during reinstallation. Another thing I noted is that the condenser seems to be 'bowed' which may indicate that it's damaged and will need replacing, PFV sell them for around £165 although I imagine it's a bumper off job, radiator drain and complete disassembly to change the units over (in other words a PITA).

A photo of the bottom of the condenser, perhaps this is normal but it doesn't look right to me. By comparison, the unit on the T5 looks nearly new by the way!

[T5frankie]

why are you bothering? open the window and save your money

[claymore]

And so the spending begins

[JamesT5]

why are you bothering? open the window and save your money

Because I like my A/C..?

[JamesT5]

And so the spending begins

Don't start! Next thing we know, you'll be criticising me for spending money on oil, filters and brake pads.

[claymore]

Don't start! Next thing we know, you'll be criticising me for spending money on oil, filters and brake pads.

Yes I would, you bought that car to save money, but all you're doing is spending on a different car.

[JamesT5]

Yes I would, you bought that car to save money, but all you're doing is spending on a different car.

Coming from a man with at least 2 cars himself, I find you a hypocrite. Unless you have something positive to add to help solve my problem I suggest you get back to ploughing thousands of pounds in to your T10 project. Ta-ra.

[stribo]

Where's the popcorn panda when you need him?

[claymore]

Coming from a man with at least 2 cars himself, I find you a hypocrite. Unless you have something positive to add to help solve my problem I suggest you get back to ploughing thousands of pounds in to your T10 project. Ta-ra.

The differeence is James I can afford to have three Volvos and a Jaguar, and I can afford to plough hundreds of pounds into my project, you on then other hand could not afford to buy a £300 pound car without waiting a month and even then couldn't afford a battery for it.

[stephenevans99]

The GOOD news James is that a new condensor with a 2 year warranty can be bought for £78 inc Next Day Delivery:

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/car...t-16-6549.html

If you decide to change the condensor, it's highly recommended that you change the receiver drier at the same time (may invalidate the condensor warranty if you don't), they're cheap at £15. The receiver drier is attached to the condensor so no extra work involved.

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/car...t-31-1165.html

[S70T5Chris]

Air con problems can be a right arse to nail down sometimes. Just try not to get caught up in replacing parts, then finding you haven't fixed it, change something else, and so on. Bearing in mind everytime you 'think' you may have solved it, you'll need a regas. And before you know it, you've blown a fortune and it still doesn't work!

The car served Pedro well, and he treated it just as it was intended. As a cheap to run work horse. Try not to get stuck in the rut of making it a 'nice' car, and end up throwing a fortune at it. You have the T5 for that. Before you know it, it would have been much more sensible just to carry on using the T5!

Not having a go, just offering some sensible advice.

[volvokid]

Air con problems can be a right arse to nail down sometimes. Just try not to get caught up in replacing parts, then finding you haven't fixed it, change something else, and so on. Bearing in mind everytime you 'think' you may have solved it, you'll need a regas. And before you know it, you've blown a fortune and it still doesn't work!

The car served Pedro well, and he treated it just as it was intended. As a cheap to run work horse. Try not to get stuck in the rut of making it a 'nice' car, and end up throwing a fortune at it. You have the T5 for that. Before you know it, it would have been much more sensible just to carry on using the T5!

Not having a go, just offering some sensible advice.

I've got that attitude with my d5 as long as it's mechanically safe that's all I care about, it's a second car to safe me money and to save the miles on the R. I have done bits and Bob's but it has a broken stereo but that will stay that way

[JamesT5]

The differeence is James I can afford to have three Volvos and a Jaguar, and I can afford to plough hundreds of pounds into my project, you on then other hand could not afford to buy a £300 pound car without waiting a month and even then couldn't afford a battery for it.

Non of your business what I can and can't afford.

[MIKESC70T5]

Air con problems can be a right arse to nail down sometimes. Just try not to get caught up in replacing parts, then finding you haven't fixed it, change something else, and so on. Bearing in mind everytime you 'think' you may have solved it, you'll need a regas. And before you know it, you've blown a fortune and it still doesn't work!


The car served Pedro well, and he treated it just as it was intended. As a cheap to run work horse. Try not to get stuck in the rut of making it a 'nice' car, and end up throwing a fortune at it. You have the T5 for that. Before you know it, it would have been much more sensible just to carry on using the T5!

Not having a go, just offering some sensible advice.

Very tactful reply Chris, me I'd just say he's mad and will never learn. Claymore hit the nail on the head. The guy has very limited funds buy the sound of it but will no doubt not listen to sense but plough loads of money into it. Next month he will be asking for advice on what push bike to buy as they are cheaper to run than a car

Two people on this forum are total numpty's and James is one of them. That's not me being a bully, just the way I see it with all the stupid threads he starts.

[MIKESC70T5]

Non of your business what I can and can't afford.

Are you for real? It becomes our business when YOU tell us YOU can't afford a battery for it on a public forum.

[Jimmie]

The question I have for James is why are you spending money you don't seem to have?
But it is after all your money to do as you please but don't always get shirty when people try to give you advice!!
Pedro sold you what appears to be a workhorse why not just use it as that.
Would you be spending money on an old Vauxhall Astra works van?

[T5frankie]

Very tactful reply Chris, me I'd just say he's mad and will never learn. Claymore hit the nail on the head. The guy has very limited funds buy the sound of it but will no doubt not listen to sense but plough loads of money into it. Next month he will be asking for advice on what push bike to buy as they are cheaper to run than a car

Two people on this forum are total numpty's and James is one of them. That's not me being a bully, just the way I see it with all the stupid threads he starts.

and you're the other!!

[MIKESC70T5]

and you're the other!!

I thought I was on your ignore list shorty? You and James, are you related by any chance? You should start a garage up together and call it " Billy Bodge It Motors Are Us "

[T5frankie]

I thought I was on your ignore list shorty?

shorty? coming from you dwarf man lol and you are

[volvokid]

It's so cute watching Mike and Frankie talk dirty