Hi,

my aircon has a leak in the system somewhere, its been refilled with gas 3 times and works for about a week before it stops blowing cold, the place that have been recharging it cant see a leak [its had dye in it each time] but think it may be leaking from the back of the condenser. Can anyone tell me if this is A likely ? and B does it entail taking the radiator out to change the condenser? I have a [probably ill founded fear] of getting an airlock in the cooling system and cooking the engine!

 

                                                               Thank you.

My aircon stopped working this winter, so I can't really tell how abruptly as I wasn't using it much but I think it was quite sudden. I took it to VW (I have contacts there) to get it checked out and it turns out the gas was completely empty and it was caused by a faulty valve.

 

Where have you been getting it gassed? If it is the valve and they haven't found it then it could explain the constant leaking of gas.

Have been taking it to a local aircon speicialist. Where are the valves located?

Have been taking it to a local aircon speicialist. Where are the valves located?

 

Hello,

 

Don't know where the valves are located I'm afraid but it's definitely worth getting them to check the high pressure sensor. Mine had a very small leak - it was refilled in April as it was starting to grumble & hiss and then the symptoms returned a fortnight ago.

 

The local specialist who filled in back in April added dye to the gas at the time & thus was able to trace the leak to the aforementioned sensor - apparently they are a fairly common failure point (on the pre-facelift model at least).

 

All now (seemingly - touch wood) cool & lovely again now the sensor's been replaced.

 

Just a thought anyway - good luck.

The radiator does not need to be removed when changing the condenser.

The valves are located in the o/side/coolant header tank/fuel filter area. One is high pressure and the other is the low pressure valve. They both have a Schrader (tyre valve)  under a black valve cap. One is  larger than the other.

 

These can leak sometimes and when on a machine it does not show as the machine stops the leak . Then they only leak when not connected up.

Thank you, guess thats the first place to look, think i will drop it into my local independent rather than the aircon people.