Air Con Leaking

[andy996tt]

My air con hasn't worked since I bought it. I bought it in February so didn't need to use it !

Anyway I went ot Kwik fit today to get it regassed and they said it was leaking and didn't charge me.

I got it home and could hear some hissing coming from the engine bay. On closer inspection I could see the thick sliver tube near the Battery was leaking. It was wet and near the bracket I could see air pushing the moisture.

Looks tricky to fix. Is it a DIY job ?

If not how much will toyota charge ?

Cheers

Andy

Avensis 2004 Diesel

[Myko]

If you can get access to it i'd think about using a pip sealant from a DIY store like putty but i'm no expert, its just something i'd think about doing!

[Darius28]

I have very similar problem. Mine re-gassed and they said that they have put something in case there is a leak and they will be able to see later. Guess what couple weeks later i found out its not working took it back and there is a leaking pipe which goes to the radiator. waiting them to call me back with the price.

[Thermal]

Car airco systems are filled with a refrigerant gaz under high pressure.

Also, some oil is added and a UV agent.

The UV agent enables finding leaks easier with the use of an ultra violet light.

Airco maintenance, apart from cleaning ducts and channels and replacing filters, are no DIY jobs.

[mariok]

Agreed, airco unit is under pressure, no DIY job. Instead of trying to sealing it, i would buy a whole new tube and let QuickFit replace it.

[roshan]

Agreed, airco unit is under pressure, no DIY job. Instead of trying to sealing it, i would buy a whole new tube and let QuickFit replace it.

Please let us know how much they charge you for this job cause i got the same problem with mine.

[andy996tt]

Agreed, airco unit is under pressure, no DIY job. Instead of trying to sealing it, i would buy a whole new tube and let QuickFit replace it.

Please let us know how much they charge you for this job cause i got the same problem with mine.

As I've seen the pipe with the leak and there's no pressure in the system. Why can't I replace the pipe ?

[Thermal]

As I've seen the pipe with the leak and there's no pressure in the system. Why can't I replace the pipe ?

Because... you can't be sure that that's the only leak.

Also, there is no way to know how much oil has been lost through the leak(s) and what unknown damage that has done, either on places in the system where it is needed or on places where it shouldn't be.

Sure, you can replace a broken pipe that's obviously leaking, provided you have the proper tools, sealing, torque values, etc.

Then you still have to go to a "filling station" to test-, recycle-, and pressurize it.

If it then still leaks, it's money wasted.

I recommend going to a specialist aircon station to get the job done, including a full inspection and maintenance.

That's not cheap, but then you know it's working properly again.

I know... by experience.

[dawesy]

i had to do my dads avensis.

brought all new seals for the pipe joints and a compressor overhaul kit cost about £30

unless the pipe is damaged no need to replace. if the pipe is damaged then get one from a breakers as they are quite expensive new.

also check the condition of the condenser (rad in front of the main engine rad.) if suspect then again get one from a breakers as they are about £250 new.

after doing the seals etc re-gassed fine.

as it was done at kwik fit it will have been de-gassed due to the leak. it is illegal for them to send a leaking A/C system out of the workshop

[Darius28]

My Avensis had a leak from condenser, so asked the garage to quote, and they came back saying £300 for it :ffs: , i thought thats nonsense, looked on internet and found one brand new with 18 months warranty, for £114 , took it to the garage and paid just for labour.

[Roker]

My Avensis had a leak from condenser, so asked the garage to quote, and they came back saying £300 for it :ffs: , i thought thats nonsense, looked on internet and found one brand new with 18 months warranty, for £114 , took it to the garage and paid just for labour.

I just had my system checked, it cost €100 It sounds a lot for 45 minutes work. They said that all the refrigrant must be drained so as they can tell the quantity to top it up. It definitley works better after topping up.

[Beagh1958]

To andy996tt,

I would stay well clear of your air-con system, refrigerent is highly toxic. The main reason for air-con failure is lack of use, the oil in the mixture keeps the seals supple & gas tight. Lack of use allows them to shrivel & results in gas escaping. Use your yellow pages for nearest air-con specialist if you do not like TOYOTA prices.

Regards, Beagh.

[Q.S.]

To andy996tt,

I would stay well clear of your air-con system, refrigerent is highly toxic. The main reason for air-con failure is lack of use, the oil in the mixture keeps the seals supple & gas tight. Lack of use allows them to shrivel & results in gas escaping. Use your yellow pages for nearest air-con specialist if you do not like TOYOTA prices.

Regards, Beagh.

Agree with Beagh on this one. Also if the system has been empty for some time (due to the leak) air and moisture may have entered the system. Moisture can cause problems with accumulators and compressors, so whilst changing the pipe may be fairly straghtforward, the system will still need to be vacuum tested, recharged and tested out with the specialist machine. All you will save is the labour charge for fitting the pipe.

[Thermal]

I agree with anyone who agrees with me: Don't mess with the airco yourself.

One small correction on the above: A major advantage of the R134a refrigerant is, that in itself it is relatively non-toxic.

It's still dangerous stuff though and can cause severe frost bite injury when it comes into contact with the skin, among other nasty things...

It really gets dangerous when R134a comes into contact with hot surfaces.

R134a then decomposes into highly toxic components.

Leave the airco to a trained and certified specialist.

[andy996tt]

Right. Went to Toyota today and got a price for the pipe. £43.30 + VAT. Not bad I thought.

They want two hours for the job so it cant be that involved. You need to remove the Battery and the airbox.

The part number is Y88706-05050.

There is no Pressure in the system at all. One end of the pipe has a bolt and the other is what I can only describe as a coupler. This joins the pipe in the car to a pipe going into the bulkhead. The only problem I forsee is detaching the coupler.

Has anyone had experience with these couplers ?

Cheers

Andy

[Darius28]

Go to independent garage, which is authorised to repair Air cons and ask them for the quote. i had radiator replaced and the garage charged for 2 hours. so i would assume its more serious job than replacing a pipe.

[andy996tt]

Just in case anybody has this problem in the future.

I had identified the correct pipe. I had to remove a lot of engine bay to get to it. A SPECIALIST would have charged me hundreds to replace it.

There was no gas in the system, like I thought. No need for a SPECIALIST.

Bought the pipe from Toyota. £160.

Installed it myself, no need for SPECIALIST tools or a SPECIALIST.

Once the pipe was fitted and everything put back together. £50 at Toyota got me some new gas and no leaks.

To clarify. It was a DIY job and thanks for all the great advice

[The Cav]

how come you say in 1 post £43.30 + vat for the pipe

then in the next post £160 for the pipe

one hell of a difference if i might say

what happened to the £43.30p pipe

BTW my 2006 avensis was gas less last summer ....totally devoid of gas

I was surprised when my a/c was able to be fully refilled

and is still fine today( a/c Man thought it would definatly have a leak somewhere in the system after it being so completly empty

he said to fear the worst)

i will get it rechecked again in the summer

[andy996tt]

The specialist at the Toyota garage first identified the wrong pipe which was £45. When they gave it to me I told them it was the wrong pipe and the correct pipe was £160.

[Gooli]

You are by now a SPECIALIST in air conditioning.

[andy996tt]

I think I am ;)