AC failure - usual suspects

[Peter Palmer]

Citroen Dispatch van 2015 1.6HDI, are there any common failure points on the air conditioning system? it was working fine lasy year but this year didn't work at all, don't think we switched it on at all durning the winter. Its been in for a test and it leaked on both the vacuum test and the pressure test, it dropped 50PSI under the pressure test. The bloke at the garage sprayed around a few items with soap but nothing obvious showed up but he suggested start with the radiator at the front because he reckons they rot, it was gunged up with leaves and crap etc.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Peter

A purple dye is generally used to try and identify a leak as there can be lots of places - however one of the most common areas is indeed the condenser radiator at the front of the vehicle. These are particularly prone to stone chips - having had mine replaced last year. Your A/C compressor will shut down to prevent damage for various reasons if it detects an issue, like a low pressure / gas situation, overheating risk etc.

It did take my dealer 5 attempts to track my leak down - so it can be a bit of a swine. Shortly after that, the A/C compressor failed anyway, so a new one was fitted - probably as a result of the continual leaks in the system, being drained and refilled and the like.

Also, very important to operate the A/C a few times a month to ensure the seals are lubricated or that can cause issues in the system too.

[Peter Palmer]

Thanks for the reply, the mechanic pressure tested it with nitrogen but said he can only put the dye in with the refrigerant, but isn't allowed to fill it because its leaking. Seems a catch 22 situation.