Yaris Aircon

[sproutdreamer]

The aircon did not work so well but when I asked a local car shop to fill up the refrigerant they said the condensor had failed the vacuum test and had a leak so could not do it. I did not want to spend on a car with a doubtful MOT history so just left the aircon OFF. This was about a year ago when I was about to fix it or forget it. (Thanks to Stantheman 1 for the 2 sets of diagrams he sent that I have only just got down to examining) but now wirth a good MOT it is worth having the aircon, so to fix.

My question is whether not having fluid in the aircon system could have caused damage by running aircon "dry" until we realised there was a fault. I would hate to replace the condensor unit and fill up, about £120 worth if I fit the condensor myself and then find out I have buggered the compressor. Any advice is welcome on this?

 

Edited March 29, 2020 by sproutdreamer
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[Stivino]

It won't run if there's no gas in the system.  You can switch it on, the switch might light up, but it won't be running.

[bathtub tom]

I would think that if it's been run with a leak in the system, then air would have circulated and that means water vapour. You could be looking at a new dryer too.

Best consult an A/C specialist.

 

[Stivino]

5 minutes ago, bathtub tom said:

I would think that if it's been run with a leak in the system, then air would have circulated and that means water vapour. You could be looking at a new dryer too.

Best consult an A/C specialist.

 

If there's a leak in the system, the pressure will drop and the system won't run.

[Auris James]

All AC systems have a pressure switch. when gas is low, prevents the compressor from running to prevent damage.

On my Volvo I was able to see if the compressor worked by turning temp to cold, ac switched to on, fan on and unclip the pressure switch wiring and short the 2 contacts with a bit of wire. This then fired up the compressor. Only do it for a few seconds! You would need to confirm if shorting the 2 wires in the connector would work like my Volvo and not do anything untoward.

I would replace condenser and drier, then get a pressure test done. Pour in the correct compressor oil lubricant and amount and get it re gassed.

Hope the compressor works.

Mine on my 1996 Volvo 940 worked but was goosed as leaking like a sieve like the condenser. I managed to buy a used compressor for £35 off eBay. Sadly a year later have a leak on the AC clamp which I now have a clamp in better condition. Was going to repair this summer!

James.

[flash22]

Change the condenser then get the system vacuum checked and filled by a pro as the system needs to have the refrigerant weighed in, correct pressures and oil added, They have the correct tools for the job and know what they are doing

don't mess with the cans of refrigerant as they can cause more damage

[Stevie J]

I had Kwik Fit re-gas my 2006 Yaris earlier this month while it was having its MOT. They said they wouldnt go ahead with the re-gas if the machine detected a leak in the system. Nevertheless they did do it and the a/c was wonderful - for a week or so, and then it started getting less cold out of the vents, and now its not working at all. Wasted 30 quid having it done. I had a look in the engine bay yesterday, and saw a load of fluid all sitting in the drip tray under the radiator, at the end nearest the drivebelt. Turns out the a/c pipe joint to the condenser on that side of the engine is leaking, and is wet with fluid when I put my fingers under it. So it doesnt always follow that having it done by the professionals is going to be successful as obviously the a/c recharging machine they use does not always detect slow leaks in the system.

Every car I have owned over 10 years old has had problems with the a/c not working, so I think that as mine is now 14 years old, I will just deem the a/c as useless and not bother with it. A/c is just too unreliable in older cars unless you pay a fortune to have the entire system and its seals overhauled.

[scannerman]

1 hour ago, Stevie J said:

I had Kwik Fit re-gas my 2006 Yaris earlier this month while it was having its MOT. They said they wouldnt go ahead with the re-gas if the machine detected a leak in the system. Nevertheless they did do it and the a/c was wonderful - for a week or so, and then it started getting less cold out of the vents, and now its not working at all. Wasted 30 quid having it done. I had a look in the engine bay yesterday, and saw a load of fluid all sitting in the drip tray under the radiator, at the end nearest the drivebelt. Turns out the a/c pipe joint to the condenser on that side of the engine is leaking, and is wet with fluid when I put my fingers under it. So it doesnt always follow that having it done by the professionals is going to be successful as obviously the a/c recharging machine they use does not always detect slow leaks in the system.

Every car I have owned over 10 years old has had problems with the a/c not working, so I think that as mine is now 14 years old, I will just deem the a/c as useless and not bother with it. A/c is just too unreliable in older cars unless you pay a fortune to have the entire system and its seals overhauled.

Is having your Aircon fixed by Kwik Fit, getting it done by the professionals?

[sproutdreamer]

Thanks for replies - consensus from those who have insight into aircon seems it does not run if pressure low so should be no damage. Next step is to source a condensor/drier unit second hand. I must have a good look around with a torch to be sure it is the condensor leaking not a pipe, which was the case with my Avensis with the pipe under the Battery having cracked. With that one I fitted a new pipe section with compression joints and all then well.

[Stivino]

I would try to get a new condenser.  Unless the second hand one was in new condition I'd feel safer going new.  It's a lot of faffing about only to discover that it isn't 100%.

[sproutdreamer]

You are probably right about a new one-I will look around.

[Auris James]

32 minutes ago, sproutdreamer said:

You are probably right about a new one-I will look around.

On my Volvo, Lexus IS220D I found Nissens make fitted perfectly. Try eBay. That's where I bought mine. £65 for Volvo. Lexus £150.

James.

[flash22]

LOL i wouldn't let Kwik Fit touch a lawn mower let alone a car

before throwing parts at it, get it dye tested - The system is pressurized and injected with a dye they can the use a black light or a sniffer to find any leaks

Don't mess with used parts or you will be back in the same place a few weeks/months down the line

£60 for a budget condenser £100-120 for a decent aftermarket unit (includes dryer)

[Madasafish]

Aircon seals dry out with lack of use..It is likely the entire system may have leaky joints..As Flash22 says, get it tested before spending anything..

It may be FUBAR in which case you are pouring money into a hole..

 

 

(and yes Kwikfit recharged yaris's system about 8 years ago and it is still working)...

[Stivino]

Air-con machines are simple enough to use.  Most places use a Robinair machine or something similar.  It's not rocket science so whether it's a Kwik Fit fitter or a Toyota fitter the system is exactly the same.

[mrpj]

17 hours ago, flash22 said:

LOL i wouldn't let Kwik Fit touch a lawn mower let alone a car

All they will do, like anywhere else, including a main dealer, will connect a machine to the high and low pressure points in the pipework. That does everything once the correct parameters are inputted.

However, when it comes to proper diagnosis and repair, no, not them! Not even a wind up toy.

[Madasafish]

1 hour ago, mrpj said:

All they will do, like anywhere else, including a main dealer, will connect a machine to the high and low pressure points in the pipework. That does everything once the correct parameters are inputted.

However, when it comes to proper diagnosis and repair, no, not them! Not even a wind up toy.

Kwikfit do all our MOTs and have done for years.. Discounted as I am retired and they are efficient. Never had an issue with them ..since I returned in the early 2000s

 

But then I diy and they recognise me as a prior customer - my only connection with them.

Twenty years ago, however, a different story..

[sproutdreamer]

17 hours ago, Madasafish said:

Aircon seals dry out with lack of use..It is likely the entire system may have leaky joints..As Flash22 says, get it tested before spending anything..

It may be FUBAR in which case you are pouring money into a hole..

 

 

(and yes Kwikfit recharged yaris's system about 8 years ago and it is still working)...

From what you say this is a clasic Catch22 situation. Until I fix the known leak, say the condensor the system will not hold pressure/vacuum whatever but even if I replace the leaky condensor the seals may be dry and leak. I cannot know whether the system is worth spending money on......until I have spent some money on it?

[flash22]

I had friends like yourself that used them for years, They had the rear drums done, the work was done for no charge = no paperwork, they then told them they need to get the car recovered on a flat bed, The 🤬 had stripped the thread on the stub axle - requiring a complete rear beam at just over £1000 (used part plus labour) - writing the car off

An acquaintance had brakes fail after a caliper replaced resulting in a crash - brake line banjo wasn't done up to spec

Another one had a wheel fall off as the nuts where finger tight - resulting in £500 in repairs

[Stivino]

43 minutes ago, flash22 said:

I had friends like yourself that used them for years, They had the rear drums done, the work was done for no charge = no paperwork, they then told them they need to get the car recovered on a flat bed, The 🤬 had stripped the thread on the stub axle - requiring a complete rear beam at just over £1000 (used part plus labour) - writing the car off

An acquaintance had brakes fail after a caliper replaced resulting in a crash - brake line banjo wasn't done up to spec

Another one had a wheel fall off as the nuts where finger tight - resulting in £500 in repairs

I've seen lots of similar horror stories in main dealers.

[stantheman1]

4 hours ago, flash22 said:

I had friends like yourself that used them for years, They had the rear drums done, the work was done for no charge = no paperwork, they then told them they need to get the car recovered on a flat bed, The 🤬 had stripped the thread on the stub axle - requiring a complete rear beam at just over £1000 (used part plus labour) - writing the car off

An acquaintance had brakes fail after a caliper replaced resulting in a crash - brake line banjo wasn't done up to spec

Another one had a wheel fall off as the nuts where finger tight - resulting in £500 in repairs

I'll never use them again 12 months ago after having 4 new tyres fitted they managed to strip 2 studs on 2 wheels when torquing them up with a cordless impact wrench, they offered to replace them foc but I didn't go back as I lost trust in them.

[Madasafish]

22 hours ago, sproutdreamer said:

From what you say this is a clasic Catch22 situation. Until I fix the known leak, say the condensor the system will not hold pressure/vacuum whatever but even if I replace the leaky condensor the seals may be dry and leak. I cannot know whether the system is worth spending money on......until I have spent some money on it?

What is the car worth to you?  

Can you drive it happily without aircon or is it a must have?

 

If it is a must have, woork out roughly how much the likely costs are: new condenser, pipes etc..  It may total  (say) £500.. But IF the rest of the car is sound and it is not terminally rusty especially near the rear sills/subframe mounting, and the replacement cost for another car is (say £2,000) - and even that may need money spending on it- then you may be better off keeping it and repairing it.

 

Of course, if you don't want to spend that kind of money or can't - then the above is futile...

 

Hope that helps in decision making...

[sproutdreamer]

I can get a condensor for about £75 and I will fill up refrigerent myself for £40.That should test out if there are any leaks and if there are I should see whereabouts and possibly fixable. I am aware that the pipes are very expensive from when I repaired a broken Avensis aircon pipe.

I have done a lot of work and wish to keep the car as a runabout for some years.

It is likely that when/if the virus problem is over many people will have little money and are financially damaged and it may be that car prices crash but entry level cheap and small cars are more in demand!

Thanks for advice I will feedback how it works out.

[Yaristotle]

This response fron Honest John might be worth a read. Good luck. 🙂