C5 X7 AC issue

[xf1ref]

Hi All,

From last year I have some problems with the AC and I have some questions about this.
Long short story, just after I finished to clean the DPF I noticed a strange smell inside the car, this was last summer. Then some oil stains on the both pipes from the compressor and on the high pressure pipe end on the condenser. I changed the o-rings but the vacuum test is not passed.
With contrast substance there are no leakage on the pipes, condenser radiator, condense pipe from evaporator...just nothing can be seen with uv light.

The strange thing is that the gas escape until at some point, the AC is working with lower efficiency and I hear a whining noise from the compressor because of low level of gas. The garage said that could be the compressor seal because it can not keep the vacuum but is keeping some pressure. Also they said that the condenser has low efficiency to cool the gas because with cold air on maximum the pressure inside installation is too high.

And my questions..
The condenser can be changed without removing the bumper? I have the RHH engine with the fan inside engine bay and manual gearbox.
If in the worst case is the evaporator I know I have to change the whole housing, does anyone encountered this case ? Hoping that is not like heating radiator from Xantia

Thanks!

[GiveMeABreak]

The official procedure requires removal of the bumper, cooling radiator and you'll need a kit to plug the system to prevent air / moisture from getting into the system.

I had the dealer do mine under warranty, after the constant leaking, which they failed to find until they finally did - right at the top of the condenser, a small nick. Shortly after replacing that, the compressor finally failed - so that was replaced too!

[xf1ref]

Seems that the condenser was fine. Went today to the garage and again it failed the vacuum test. On Monday they will change the compressor seal...I think the shaft seal is about.
Should I keep the old condenser?

[citroenguy]

I assume there is leak dye in the system.
Check for that in the AC-drain

[xf1ref]

No leak in the AC drain. After changing the compressor shaft seal it passed the vacuum test and seems that everything is ok now. Just some minor leaks on the aluminum pipes attached to the compressor because were affected by corrosion.