Air Con. not working

[Bowlerwell]

I've just enquired about an S2. Looks very nice, but the owner says that the guy who had it before him never used A/C. Either did he. So now, when he turns on A/C, he can hear the compressor pumping, and the fans blowing, but it's not cold.

I'm no A/C expert, but he reckons that it just needs 'filling up'. Is this correct?

JB

[dan_b]

What age is the S2?
If it's not been used in what sounds like quite a few years, then the least that has happened is that all the refrigerant has leaked out. Trouble is, that probably means all the seals are now dry as a bone so you run the risk that even if you re-charge the system (with R134a) it'll just leak out again, or worse, the chassis seal on the compressor has died and you'll need at least a new compressor.

A proper air-con shop will be able to re-gas it for you and pump in some leak detection fluid as well, so if it does leak then they'll be able to diagnose where the leaks might occur.

Where are you based?

Why don't people use aircon when they've got it? I personally wouldn't go back to having a car without aircon...

[Rusty]

Mine's never worked from when I had it. Had it regassed and it blew a pipe after working for about 5 minutes. Cost me £50 to find it out too. I didn't buy an S2 cos it had AC, it was just an added extra. I've never really given a toss that it doesn't work as I've either had more important things to spend the money on (like suspension and Samcos) or it's just not been hot enough. Please excuse the rant!!

[philip walker]

If the clutch on the pump is switching on when operated, it may be as suggested low on gas. Have it recharged with dye as above first.

The systems have a high pressure and a low pressure switch, this does was they suggest. When low on gas it will cut the pump when the pressure builds if there is insuficiant air flow over the evaporater or on very hot days it will also cut the pump

If you change any component or open the a/c line you should change the reciver/drier as moisture in the air will contaminate it.

[S2central.net]

If its low on gas, then there must be a leak in the system. The suggestion above to fill the system with dye to locate the leak is spot on.

The most common source of a leak on the S2 aircon is the hose which enters the front right (UK drivers side) wheel arch from the engine bay.

When the leak is repaired it is very advisable to get the system fully evacuated to remove any traces of old oil and moisture in the system. Then renew the filter/dryer as Philip suggest. Its also wise to renew the orifice tube (seriously) as this is a serviceable component. Then evacuate the system one more time before refilling with new gas and oil. A final pressure test will confirm things are OK and you'll have ice cold air - just in time for winter

Get the work done by a reputable AC specialist who knows the S2 - it has some weird things like the lack of a low pressure test port which can cause confusion.

If you need the details on how much oil and gas are required for an R134a system then let me know - I have the factory info at home. However a good AC man will also have that info in his books.


Cheers,

Paul

[dan_b]

What Paul says here is spot on.
Aircon is still good in the autumn though with all this damp air around!

Where are you based? If you're in the London area I can recommend VACS for servicing the S2 aircon as they've done a good job with mine. No connection with company, they just did a good job at a good price and know the car and its quirks.

[~Delta]

@ Paul: Is it possible to charge an R12 system with R134a? I've enquired from 2 seperate place, they say yes, they'll need to fit "adaptors" to the high and low ports to enable their connectors to fit. One of the places has a 1991 Toyota Hilux Surf that has been converted to R134a and it seems to work well.

BTW, my car is a 1991 100 Avant QT.

[dan_b]

My S2 is a 91 so had R12 and now runs on R134a so yes it's possible to convert.

[Sidspud]

Air Con is not just the summer toy that most people think it is. Its most useful in wet weather for demisting windows. If you're driving along with all the windows steamed up, just switch AC on and within a minute or two all your windows will be cleared.

[dan_b]

I don't switch my ac off now it works again

[philip walker]

You cannot replace the R12 gas with 134A. To convert to 134a is a fair job, pump, drier and all the seals.
Most places add a "replacment" gas (cannot remember the name) into the R12 system. It was needed by all the Jap imports that ran on R12.

[S2_Dave]

The air-con specialist I went to told me that R134a will damage an R12 system and the system must be converted to take the new gas. The total bill was £615 , but my pump was knackered anyway so I was expecting £400+ just for that.

[dan_b]

Yes the key word in my post was "convert". It's not cheap, but it can be done.

[s4_rider]

Conversion of the parts is not necessary anymore.
They should use a kind of fluid seal.
I don't know the name.


My pump was replaced recently ; 550 euro excl fluid seal, refill and work.
It was blocked (and was smokingggggg)
Very expensive these aircon repairs.

[horvathg]

The last reapair action I had on my car was the aircon compressor. They said that its not repairable...Only S2 and Rs2 pumps would fit and one guy at the Swiss forum suggested that its about 350 euro in Germany. So I left it at that.