AC refrigerant leak - Peugeot 3008 2016

[508c5]

Hello,

I am experiencing an AC Refrigerant leak (Peugeot 3008, 2016, 1,6 petrol, 165BHP) - any advice re most probable/known cause/location will be welcomed.

thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

That's totally impossible to say. It needs a proper pressure test and leak detection check to ascertain whether it's the valves, the pipes, the compressor, the condenser etc...

I'd take it directly to an auto A/C specialist that can undertake the tests for you as part of an A/C service.

[508c5]

yes, of course but had you known the low level of these in my whereabouts you'd understand why i am asking

in some models there are known parts to fails more often, i was wondering whether this is the case.

In this regard, can a (suspected) worn out serpentine belt cause the compressor to work less efficiently and simulate such a condition ?

[xantia_v6]

A big leak will also leak compressor oil, so look carefully at all components, pipes and joints for oil stains.

[508c5]

A big leak will also leak compressor oil, so look carefully at all components, pipes and joints for oil stains.

not evident

[GiveMeABreak]

So you see the issue - we are guessing - it needs specialist tools and 'sniffers' that can check and locate leaks.

Pipes wear, condensers get chipped from stones on the road.....

[508c5]

yes, sadly this is usually the case with AC

can you spare a drawing of the inner AC/Ventilation system ? are these part accessible without taking out the entire dash...?

[GiveMeABreak]

Not really going to help - which is why the 'sniffers' they use along with some dye in the system can detect / trace leaks. They can probe inside the dash vents to detect for gas leaks - whilst under pressure. I would of thought thought that there would be plenty of A/C specialists over there with the weather being a hotter climate.

[508c5]

Thx

Mainly specialists Wannabees

Generally speaking, the "professionals" engaged in car maintenance here are of very low quality as well as overcharging and dishonest. This is also why i try to diy as much as possible

[508c5]

I suppose getting to the evaporator requires dismantling of the dash "big time"?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, but may not even be necessary!

[ozvtr]

Does the system still have some sort of pressure?
If it doesn't you don't have much of a chance.
You need to pressurize it to about 100psi. Or at least to as high as you can. The higher the better. Ideally you need to pressurize it with dry nitrogen. If you pressurize it with air you MUST change the descant pack in the receiver dryer. Air has moisture (water) in it which forms acids when combined with synthetic gasses (R134a, R1234YF, R12). The "vac-down" (when re-commissioning the system) should also be extended to remove as much moisture as possible.

Warning, danger, do this at your own risk!!!!! The system can be pressurized with LPG (barbecue gas). At 30'C LPG has a vapor pressure of 160psi. So you don't need much to get to 100psi. OH! and for you snow flakes out there, Yes in some Countries and states it is legal to use LPG mixtures (R600a and R290) as a refrigerant in vehicles!!! But do it at your own risk...right?

Fortunately the evaporators in the dash don't tend to fail that much but you could look for oil in and around the water drain under the car.

Look for areas where the aluminum and flexible pipes could rub on another part of the car. Concentrate on joints. Joints that are bolted together. Joints that are crimped together (like where the flexible pipes are crimped to the aluminium pipes).
The main shaft seal of the compressor (behind the clutch) is a common failure point.
The condenser at the front of the car is exposed to rocks and the flexing of the chassis. Look for dints from rocks and cracks from stress.

The schrader valves of the service ports (usually capped) are another source of leaks. Remove the caps and look for oil.

I use a mixture of water and dish washing liquid. About 20-25% dish washing liquid to water. Use an old "squirt" bottle to apply it LIBERALLY to all the places mentioned above...and wait and watch. Bubbles may not be big or appear instantly.

[PaulC5]

On our C5 the air con leak was the front condenser, it was not much of a leak but was found by the uv dye put in by the garage to show up leaks but without this nothing could be seen.

[508c5]

Yes, but may not even be necessary!

Hi, i have no luck in retrieving the removing-refitting evaporator sensor instructions (my software crushes all the time) - can you share these?

thx

[GiveMeABreak]

I'll put a guide up in the members Resources section shortly. Check back here in 10 minutes or so and I'll provide a link.