Since a refrigerant recharge last summer my air con had all but lost all effectiveness and the system hissed loudly inside the cabin, the usual sign of low refrigerant charge.
When I checked the pressures, I found the low side pulling down to 0 psi and the high side was really low for a 134a system.
The system was recharged once again and this time I included 10ml of fluorescent PAG oil.
My plan is to wait for a few weeks then cast a UV torch about to try and locate the leak. Whilst i am waiting for the torch to arrive I noticed some suspect patches on the compressor itself, right at the part where two parts of the compressor housing meet:
Time will tell if this is the source of the leak when the UV torch arrives but I thought I would ask if anyone would find these patches suspicious first.
X7 Compressor refrigerant leak
Moderator: RichardW
- moizeau
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Re: X7 Compressor refrigerant leak
Did you do the recharge yourself Elis or was it done with garage equipment and vacuumed first? When mine was done at Citroen the chap could see a problem straight away because it wouldn't empty properly. Turned out to be the condenser. That was a fun bumper off afternoon! Got the rad out from the engine bay side and would have managed the condenser if it were not for the lower pipe connecter being inaccessible.
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
- EDC5
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Re: X7 Compressor refrigerant leak
I did the recharge myself. I have a vacuum pump, but didn’t want to empty it all out whilst it still worked (at least a little bit).
I added some refrigerant, but that was mainly to push the dyed oil into the system.
I am fully expecting it to be the condenser, judging by the state of it; but after seeing those patches on the compressor I thought it would be worth querying as they do look suspicious.
I added some refrigerant, but that was mainly to push the dyed oil into the system.
I am fully expecting it to be the condenser, judging by the state of it; but after seeing those patches on the compressor I thought it would be worth querying as they do look suspicious.
- moizeau
- Donor 2024
- Posts: 1590
- Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
- Location: France 36
- My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped) - x 317
Re: X7 Compressor refrigerant leak
Yeah, when I took mine out it pretty much disintegrated in my hands. A condenser is probably easier and cheaper than a compressor at least, if it is that.
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone