Just bought a 2007 Scout and happy with it, the only issue was the Aircon didn't work on the test drive and the guy said he'd replace the compressor, which was more the likely the culprit. Having done the research on here, I agreed it probably would be.

 

Picked it up yesterday, Aircon works great in the sense that it blows ice cold but this is where the good news ends. As the video below clearly shows it's noisy, very noisy. Sounds like a train coming from a distance. And it stinks.

 

Any ideas?

 

http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v481/sat1983/IMG_2496_zpsvtjopi2h.mp4

That sound sounds to me like it is low on gas. The dealer probably didn't replace the compressor as it's very expensive. I could be wrong of course but he probably just slammed some gas in to make a quick sale and left you with the problem of a leaky system. If it does have a leak, then you should take it somewhere who will do a leak test rather than just getting it re-filled. Most likely culprit is a leaking condenser as it is a weak spot on these cars. If it were me I would complain to the seller and ask them to sort it as you pointed it out on purchase and they (allegedly) fixed it.

Edited 14 August, 20169 yr by adamal

I'd take out the pollen filter first and see what it's like.

That sound sounds to me like it is low on gas. The dealer probably didn't replace the compressor as it's very expensive. I could be wrong of course but he probably just slammed some gas in to make a quick sale and left you with the problem of a leaky system. If it does have a leak, then you should take it somewhere who will do a leak test rather than just getting it re-filled. Most likely culprit is a leaking condenser as it is a weak spot on these cars. If it were me I would complain to the seller and ask them to sort it as you pointed it out on purchase and they (allegedly) fixed it.

 

I trust he did what he says as he only deals with VAG- was very genuine, the  most genuine people I've dealt with in all the years I've bought cars. He was straight up with me on the test drive and said he would buy a compressor from a scrap yard and get it fitted. His email the other day said:

 

Good news on the Scout - the pump/compressor has been replaced along with some seals and re-gassed. The car is now back on site with us and the air con is functioning as it should! 

 

So it does sound like its been done but as you can tell sounds terrible, my only fear is that he says its an old car and as long as it works he won't go any further with it? But it's way too loud, and the smell is shocking!

I'd take out the pollen filter first and see what it's like.

Does the noise not sound more mechanical to you?

Well maybe I did him a disservice but it sounds very much like mine did when the condenser had a leak and most of gas had gone. So maybe it still has a leak.

Having said that tech1e knows a lot more than me and what he suggests is pretty simple, so worth ruling out a build up litter in the filter causing the sound, especially as you mention a smell.

Yeah I agree about the noise sounding low on gas. But the first part of diagnosis is check the basics. How many ABS modules have we seen replaced on a Fabia only to find it's a fuse?

I'd be interested in what was wrong with the compressor if that was faulty. If it was the solenoid then fair enough, likewise if it had been a Delco compressor and the drive bolt had come out. If it was a Sanden compressor that had seized then was the system flushed before the new compressor installed? Many many questions need to be answered before you can diagnose the issue sadly. How much gas was put in? How much oil?

Now all you can do is get the issue looked at. First step would be to check the fault codes with VCDS. See if there is a low pressure sensor fault logged which would indicate low gas. After that recover the system to see how much is in there. Then try a vacuum test and leave for 45 minutes to see if there is any decay. If there is use oxygen free nitrogen to locate the leak.

I did specifically ask for leaks to be tested after the work was to be completed.

 

This is actually the response I got:

 

Deposit received thanks.

 

I understand your concerns over the air con but I as mentioned I will make sure that it is fixed, this will include making sure it functions and has no leaks.

 

With it being a gas it would leak out pretty quickly if there was a leak! 

 

So you would have thought it had been done properly?

Def a leak as mine made the same noise after a few days after being regased by Kwik fit as it was leaking. A vcds should confirm this.

My leak took several weeks to lead to that sound after a regas. It was a very small one that didn't show up on the leak test prior to the regas so my mechanic thought it was just due a refill as it hadn't been done for the several years I had owned it for.

And  this afternoon I've run out of gas!! Doesn't blow cold at all!

 

Dealer email just now:

 

Hi xxxx, 

 

That is rather disappointing!

 

The guys who replace the compressor identified some seals which they replaced and this rectified leaks.

 

We had the car for a couple of days after it came back from repair and seemed to be fine, we can have it back from you for a day or so to investigate the noise from the video you sent, it is difficult to fully understand the noise without hearing it in the flesh!

 

Let me know when is best and we will get to the bottom of it!

 

So all should be good!

Edited 14 August, 20169 yr by sat1983

Fair enough, over to them!

Weird update

 

The noise was definitely there yesterday when I switched engine off. This AM, setting off to the garage the noise had gone-  with aircon on but obviously still not blowing cold. 

I get to the garage- show him above video- he obviously agrees it's not right, but there is no noise today. He has A/C machine to take remaining refrigerant out, there was 60g I think and there should have been over 500 so you would clearly think that there's a leak.

 

Machine finds no leak after 30 mins test, refilled with refrigerant, A/C now full with no noise. Works perfectly.

 

Clearly there is an issue and to be fair to him he said come back when or if noise reappears- but must admit he said he didn't quite know where to go next. And I can't say I blame him!

Problem is checking for leaks with vacum is it pulls all seals and joints closer so dont show. Could do with filling system with dye so the leak should show under pressure but i did hear that they band it from use. Must be another way to check for leaks.

Re-filling a system that's known to have leaked almost all its refrigerant in a few days, without fixing the leak seems rather unlikely to be a successful strategy (I hope to be proved wrong!). If the noise returns, you need to find somewhere that will test it under pressure with nitrogen as Tech1e suggests earlier.

Absolutely- but to be fair to the guy he didn't claim to have fixed it. But without the issue being apparent he wanted me to try it for a bit longer and see how it goes... We all know how it's likely to go but I guess so far it is a bit of a mystery!!

Re-filling a system that's known to have leaked almost all its refrigerant in a few days, without fixing the leak seems rather unlikely to be a successful strategy (I hope to be proved wrong!). If the noise returns, you need to find somewhere that will test it under pressure with nitrogen as Tech1e suggests earlier.

It's also illegal and if caught carries a £100k+ fine. If there is a leak suspected the AC system must be filled with oxygen free nitrogen and checked with a bubble solution. Makes you wonder if any of these AC technicians have their F gas certificate.

Shocking practice, the noise has stopped as all the gas has leaked out and the air con no longer working. It will starting making the noise again after a few days as he has done nothing apart from refill it with gas again.

Edited 15 August, 20169 yr by wiilydog

Shocking practice, the noise has stopped as all the gas has leaked out and the air con no longer working. It will starting making the noise again after a few days as he has done nothing apart from refill it with gas again.

And I will go back until fixed.

And surprise surprise.. Its at it again!!

I think its time to get your money back, they have tried to fix it twice, well, just refilled it and sent you on your way. It might be worth asking them to pay a dealer to sort it.

Sounds like a significant leak. Can't be hard to find for a reputable opetator...

My Audi actually failed the leak test when I had it regassed as it was not that cold, but here we are two years later and the AC is still working perfectly. The specialist put it down to the seals being pulled in the opposite direction to normal operation when under vacuum. He did add some UV dye to the refrigerant just in case, but no issues and its been fine since.

 

Just because the car can pass the vacuum leak test does not mean there are no leaks. They need to add a dye to the system, then go from there. When I had a leak on an older car it was traced to a leaking seal, again this car passed the leak test and it was only with the dye was the AC specialist able to find the leak.

My Audi actually failed the leak test when I had it regassed as it was not that cold, but here we are two years later and the AC is still working perfectly. The specialist put it down to the seals being pulled in the opposite direction to normal operation when under vacuum. He did add some UV dye to the refrigerant just in case, but no issues and its been fine since.

 

Just because the car can pass the vacuum leak test does not mean there are no leaks. They need to add a dye to the system, then go from there. When I had a leak on an older car it was traced to a leaking seal, again this car passed the leak test and it was only with the dye was the AC specialist able to find the leak.

As stated here and elsewhere by all means add dye so if there is a leak later on in life it can be traced. However if a leak is suspected filling the system with refrigerant and dye is not allowed (see Kyoto Protocol) and why anyone handling refrigerant had/has to attend an f gas course before they are allowed to service the systems.

Lost all my gas today Again. They are going to replace the compressor with another one and do thorough checks. It's getting frustrating!