Hi all,

 

Last year I had the aircon regassed at Kwik Fit as it was no longer cold. I was under the impression this would also detect leaks in the system under the vacuum test, however it started to increase in temperature fairly soon after again! I replaced my front radiator a few months after and saw that the refrigerant was bubbling out at a fair rate from under the torque screw at the front. It's stopped bubbling now, and the air con doesn't work one bit anymore. Is it safe to say that the system will be depressurised, and that I can simply undo the screw and replace the O-ring, and re-tighten? 

 

Cheers,

 

VapourXR

Yeah. O ring must be the correct part (they aren't regular rubber) and must be lubricated with PAG oil.

Thanks Tech1e Interesting about the rubber... 

You wouldn't happen to know the part number by any chance? I've circled the culprit in green

 

What year is the car?

 

Taking a guess at 2004, it looks like item 11 here, 8E0 260 749.

Are you sure it's the o-ring?

It's a 2006, it looks the same as the diagram though. 

 

I'm pretty sure, from that diagram, it would be the o-ring(item 11) that seals the pipe to the condenser. It was bubbling out from there at a fair rate.

 

The plan is to reseal it, then get it regassed and see if it's solved the issue

Part number is the same for 2006.

Might be enough oil extruded by the escaping refrigerant to oil the new o-ring?

Ta, looks like its 63p from skodaparts, shame it's £5 delivery! I ordered rivets the other day :( .

 

That picture is quite old, and it doesn't look so green anymore so I expect it would have gone by now. Is the PAG oil similar to normal oil, or do extra precautions need to be taken when handling it?

Don't know anything about PAG oil, but google probably does. It won't be something that you can just substitute a bit of engine oil for, or Tech1e wouldn't have bothered pointing out that you need to oil it with that specific stuff.

I would push a screwdriver into one of the shrader valves before you take it apart to confirm the system is not under any pressure

 

Halfords sell an assorted packet of 'O' rings so you could look at those if you know the size on the off chance it has the correct one in the set. http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/air-con/halfords-air-con-o-rings

Edited 27 July, 20169 yr by SuperbTWM

PAG oil is OK to use on AC seal (it's the specific oil in the AC system)

Using regular oil will cause the seals to expand and deteriorate. PAG oil is pretty expensive though. You may have enough in the pipe to lubricate the seal.

I was concerned it will still be under pressure as I've read that it can detect when it's not pressurised and won't turn on the AC, but mine is happily turning on, just not cooling. I'll do the screwdriver trick and hopefully it won't be. 

 

I've done some research on the PAG oil and it appears it's PAG ISO 46 according to http://www.autototal.ro/dmdocuments/Catalog%20Behr%20Hella.pdf .

Will see what is in the pipe, as like you say there may be enough to seal it. It is expensive! There is cheaper stuff, but I haven't found anything on mixing it yet.

If you're worried about the system being gassed and to be on the safe side, you could ask a garage to evacuate the system for you before you do the work and promise you'll be back for a regas.

Edited 27 July, 20169 yr by Dazza95

Even if the gas has came out from a leak, the pipes will still hold gas, you will smell it when you unscrew the torx bit to replace the seal.

the o rings are green  HNBR   you can buy set on fleabay not expensive

And here is an unasked for fact, the strange oily/greasy stuff that gets used to stop rubber door seals from being noisy on VAG cars, can also be used on any of these fridge systems using that family of gases - only problem is, it also costs a lot, but I acquired some!

 

Edit:- just remembered its name Krytox.

Edited 28 July, 20169 yr by rum4mo