Air con condenser replacement guide

[HenrysCat]

Hi all, had the air con gassed in our 2002 estima 2.4 worked for 24 hours now all gone, went back to the shop they tested and zero pressure now, got a refund from them but they had no idea where the leak could be, worked great last summer, so I'm gonna take a chance and replace the condenser, can't find any youtube videos on it which is unusual, has anyone done this before?

[Stivino]

If it lost a lot of gas in a 24hr period, it shouldn't be too hard to find where it leaked from.  You need to check every inch of every pipe, and have a good look at the condenser too. Use an inspection mirror if you have one.

[RUToyota]

Would it not be better to find out just where the leak is.?

You'll certainly find that on Youtube.!

An aircon specialist would use a leak detection agent.

[HenrysCat]

I thought they put a dye in that shows up under UV light, I have a 365nm UV flashlight and went all over couldn't see anything anywhere.

[RUToyota]

You said the garage you used had no idea.?..so I assumed they didn't use a dye/agent.?

[HenrysCat]

I guess not, I assumed it was standard practice.

[JohnGW]

It is standard practice and they are supposed to pressurise the unit and check for leaks at least with the manometer gauges.  They are not supposed to allow leaks as the gas is not likely to be CFC free in an older vehicle. Sound like cowboys.

[HenrysCat]

It was Kwik Fit

[paul9]

Possibly bad Schrader valves in the service ports, which didn't seal properly once the aircon refill pipes were taken off.

[oldcodger]

As said, find somewhere that knows what they are doing !

If you search online you will find places in your area that specialise in car /wagon air con and charge a fair rate for the work.

We  used a local mobile service , basically a van with an air con recharge unit in the back,  but did a thorough job using a sniffer device in preferance to the usual UV dye and torch.  Also he was happy to talk us through and let us watch the procedure and give a printout to prove whats been done.

His first check was for any leak and would not  attempt a recharge if any was found, after recharging he still used his Sniffer to be 100% sure all was ok.

Don't be certain there is no Gas left in the a/c system, if You start disconnecting things you might get a face full of something harmful.

[HenrysCat]

Kwik Fit assured us there was absolutely zero pressure, how much did your local service charge?

[JohnGW]

1 hour ago, oldcodger said:

His first check was for any leak and would not  attempt a recharge if any was found,

The correct and legal thing to do, unplanned escapes are not allowed F gas regulations.

[HenrysCat]

5 minutes ago, JohnGW said:

The correct and legal thing to do

Ah, found the forum lawyer, excellent!

[JohnGW]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/checking-f-gas-equipment-for-leaks

[RUToyota]

12 hours ago, HenrysCat said:

It was Kwik Fit

say no more...one place I would NOT take my vehicle.

I used a trusted and experienced independent who knew what they were doing and what they were supposed to do.

Mine costs a little more because the Estima has to be put on a ramp to access the low pressure point, which means taking off the engine under covers.

[HenrysCat]

Well this has been the most unhelpful forum I have ever used, Thanks all

[Paul john]

Does this video help?
 

 

i had to replace the compressor on my prius 2005  but i took that into a local mechanic with the replacement part . Cost me £75 in beer vouchers .

perhaps you have a mechanic you trust to diagnose where the leak might be.

it could be as simple as a perished hose … easy and cheap to replace..

btw i have used kwik fit a couple of times to top up the ac and not had an issue with their guys or pricing.

 

 

[HenrysCat]

17 minutes ago, Paul john said:

Does this video help?
btw i have used kwik fit a couple of times to top up the ac and not had an issue with their guys or pricing.

Thanks, that's a mk III ours is a mk II, maybe they similar who knows, looks like he pulled the condenser by detaching the bumper a little, bit of a random video really.

Yes I agree about kwik fit, and the first know-all to reply is............................