Xantia Aircon

fatbugger · Post by **fatbugger** » 29 Dec 2002, 01:35

Help any one
The aircon pump on my 97 Xantia 1.9TD LX sounds like it has a bearing gone. If you remove the belt and spin the pump there is a lovely mettalic tnikling noise. Are any bearings replaceable? If not does anyone know of a good source for recon pumps (non Citroen dealer).
Mike

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 29 Dec 2002, 02:23

Hi Mike, unless I'm very much mistaken the failed bearing will be in the pulley of the magnetic clutch, and not in the actual pump its self, the only time these bearings aren't rolling while the engine is running is when the aircon is actualy being used, at all other times the pulley is just idleing on the bearings, with the compressor shaft motionless.
If this is the case then I would think it possible that the repair could be done by your self, providing you can dismantle the pulley/clutch assembly and remove/replace the offending bearing(s) and would think removal of the compressor unnecessary, but give it a good dose of looking at before deciding on any action because I could be talking total crap<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I wouldn't expect the bearing's to be anything special, they ought to be readily available without the need to pay Citroen type big money for them.
Dave

fatbugger · Post by **fatbugger** » 29 Dec 2002, 03:12

Hi Dave
I suppose it is worth a go at a repair. I can either buy a pump now or maybe fix it. If I knacker it whilst fixing it I am no worse off as I am back to buying a pump again.
It's all a learning process.
Mike

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 29 Dec 2002, 05:40

Mike,
I'm a fridge mechanic by trade & Dave would be pretty spot on with his diagnosis I'd reckon.
With the types of hoses they use these days I'd imagine you should be able to access without doing a total disconnect. A word of warning though; just be careful not to upend the compressor in the process of doing the job or you may have problems with oil getting into the head and the rest of the system.
Alan S

fatbugger · Post by **fatbugger** » 29 Dec 2002, 21:05

Thanks Alan
I shall have a go next week and let you know how I get on!<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
Regards and Happy New Year
Mike

AV · Post by AV » 24 Jan 2003, 01:32

I've got a problem with my aircon too, i've twice had it charged and everythings's cool for around 2-3 months then it stops being cool. I've had it checked for leaking dye ,but none was found. The mechanic said there could be an internal leak in the evaporator. when it stopped cooling a whining noise could be heard coming from the glove box area when the AC was on. Any suggestions?

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 24 Jan 2003, 03:03

That whining sound "may" be a leak but it can also be a few other things including it just simply being down a bit on its gas charge. As a rule of thumb, if it is leaking out slowly it should be on the suction side, and quickly, on the discharge (or high pressure) side. The biggest tell tale sign at any time is an oil stain and whilst it could be a leak on the evaporator, that I would suggest is highly unlikely unless it has been stressed when fitted or has something rubbing a hole in a pipe.
I can't speak for a Xantia, but on a BX it is normally on the TX valve which (in the case of the BX) is easily accessed by removing the glove box & taking an inspection plate off the side. I recently found the leak in my system which turned out to be a split in the bellows fitted to the TX. An oil vapour stain as quite evident inside the cover plate. If in doubt, once the cover plate is removed, pour a bit of water in it & look for the rainbow colours on the surface of the water.
Alan S

Post by **RichardW** » 24 Jan 2003, 13:35

My mate's had both these problems in a 93 VSX TD.
Leaking refrigerant turned out to be a punctured condenser (it's pretty exposed at the front of the car!).
He ran the compressor until the bearing fell apart (oops!). He found some info on the web about servicing the compressor - you need to make a special puller to get the clutch off. There's not much room to get at it, being as it is right down at the bottom. He changed the compressor for a S/H unit, which was about £80 from a company called French Connection. Note that it's about a 4 hour job as you have to take the alternator and HP pump out to get to the compressor.
Richard

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 25 Jan 2003, 06:35

isn't there a pressure sensor on that black cylinder thing behind the r/h headlamp (cant remember what its called) that stops the compressor if the pressure gets too low (i.e. a leak) so that it cant run dry ??

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 25 Jan 2003, 07:42

Different countries seem to have different legislation on this one. Some do have an LP protector which prevents the compressor running on vacuum & helps prevent oil being sucked through the compressor & slugged into the system, others have a HP safety overload which turns the fans onto full speed in the advent of the head pressure getting too high and some have both.
For anyone who may be inteested in knowing a bit more regarding this air/con topic, I recently had a discussion with an aircraft fitter/BX owner on the subject in Australia and a lot of very interesting points were raised & discussed.
Anyone interested can have a look at:
http://members3.boardhost.com/citroen/msg/6202.html
and follow the string right through; I think the nature of the debate caused us to follow up points made by each other & it became quite an informative discussion. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
Alan S
Edited by - alans on 25 Jan 2003 02:47:50