After a discussion on urcm recently, I decided to book my 306 TD in to 
have the known leaky front air con pipe replaced. They checked the 
system, no other leaks, and they fitted the new pipe and a replacement 
drier as well.
No problems, apart from the bill. So I hop in the car and have a lovely 
2 mile drive before it all goes warm, and then hot. Bugger.

No leaks anywhere, except some clear liquid around the new front pipe, 
no drips onto the ground at all. After a couple more miles the 
compressor stops cutting in, so presumably I have a leak somewhere. It's 
booked in again on Thursday afternoon, and when I spoke to them they 
said they do put dye in all re-gasses, so not really sure what the clear 
liquid is around the pipe, it was a little more viscous than water.

So, where could the refrigerant go? I also had a kind of gas noise from 
the dash as it was getting warm, googling leads me to believe this is 
just part of the system running out of refrigerant.

Baffled, hope this isn't a major failure like a compressor :-(

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

mike. buckley wrote:

> After a discussion on urcm recently, I decided to book my 306 TD in to
> have the known leaky front air con pipe replaced. They checked the
> system, no other leaks, and they fitted the new pipe and a replacement
> drier as well.
> No problems, apart from the bill. So I hop in the car and have a lovely
> 2 mile drive before it all goes warm, and then hot. Bugger.
>
> No leaks anywhere, except some clear liquid around the new front pipe,
> no drips onto the ground at all. After a couple more miles the
> compressor stops cutting in, so presumably I have a leak somewhere. It's
> booked in again on Thursday afternoon, and when I spoke to them they
> said they do put dye in all re-gasses, so not really sure what the clear
> liquid is around the pipe, it was a little more viscous than water.
>
> So, where could the refrigerant go? I also had a kind of gas noise from
> the dash as it was getting warm, googling leads me to believe this is
> just part of the system running out of refrigerant.
>
> Baffled, hope this isn't a major failure like a compressor :-(


The compressor is more than likely fine, looks like the new pipe they
fitted hasn't been done properly. There are rubber washers each end of
the pipe, one at the compressor end and where the pipe continues. Both
of these should be new  when refitting. I know from my experience that
the washer at the compressor end certainly doesn't come supplied with
the pipe and must be bought separately. They've either not replaced
that or damaged one or the other of these seals.

Your refrigerant won't leak out - it's a gas. The leakage will normally
come from the oil used to lubricate the compressor. I had a garage
refil my A/C. they also assured me they used dye. When mine leaked I
didn't see it either.

wrote in message 
news:1119960774.245174.250040@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

>
>
> mike. buckley wrote:
>> After a discussion on urcm recently, I decided to book my 306 TD in to
>> have the known leaky front air con pipe replaced. They checked the
>> system, no other leaks, and they fitted the new pipe and a replacement
>> drier as well.
>> No problems, apart from the bill. So I hop in the car and have a lovely
>> 2 mile drive before it all goes warm, and then hot. Bugger.
>>
>> No leaks anywhere, except some clear liquid around the new front pipe,
>> no drips onto the ground at all. After a couple more miles the
>> compressor stops cutting in, so presumably I have a leak somewhere. It's
>> booked in again on Thursday afternoon, and when I spoke to them they
>> said they do put dye in all re-gasses, so not really sure what the clear
>> liquid is around the pipe, it was a little more viscous than water.
>>
>> So, where could the refrigerant go? I also had a kind of gas noise from
>> the dash as it was getting warm, googling leads me to believe this is
>> just part of the system running out of refrigerant.
>>
>> Baffled, hope this isn't a major failure like a compressor :-(
>
> The compressor is more than likely fine, looks like the new pipe they
> fitted hasn't been done properly. There are rubber washers each end of
> the pipe, one at the compressor end and where the pipe continues. Both
> of these should be new  when refitting. I know from my experience that
> the washer at the compressor end certainly doesn't come supplied with
> the pipe and must be bought separately. They've either not replaced
> that or damaged one or the other of these seals.
>
> Your refrigerant won't leak out - it's a gas. The leakage will normally
> come from the oil used to lubricate the compressor. I had a garage
> refil my A/C. they also assured me they used dye. When mine leaked I
> didn't see it either.
>


Usually the dye can only be seen by ultra violet light.

mrcheerful

In message , 
daddyfreddy@gmail.com writes

>
>
>mike. buckley wrote:
>> After a discussion on urcm recently, I decided to book my 306 TD in to
>> Baffled, hope this isn't a major failure like a compressor :-(
>
>The compressor is more than likely fine, looks like the new pipe they
>fitted hasn't been done properly. There are rubber washers each end of
>the pipe, one at the compressor end and where the pipe continues. Both
>of these should be new  when refitting. I know from my experience that
>the washer at the compressor end certainly doesn't come supplied with
>the pipe and must be bought separately. They've either not replaced
>that or damaged one or the other of these seals.
>
>Your refrigerant won't leak out - it's a gas. The leakage will normally
>come from the oil used to lubricate the compressor. I had a garage
>refil my A/C. they also assured me they used dye. When mine leaked I
>didn't see it either.
>

Yeah sorry, bad description on my part. When it leaked before I had a 
few pools of green dye oil on the drive, but this time it's dry, and 
apart from a bit around the new pipe it's dry in the engine bay too.

I hope it is the pipe, as it means I won't have to shell out again.

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

"mrcheerful ."  wrote in message
news:Mnbwe.57962$G8.6041@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

>
>  wrote in message
> news:1119960774.245174.250040@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> >
> >
> > mike. buckley wrote:
> >> After a discussion on urcm recently, I decided to book my 306 TD in to
> >> have the known leaky front air con pipe replaced. They checked the
> >> system, no other leaks, and they fitted the new pipe and a replacement
> >> drier as well.
> >> No problems, apart from the bill. So I hop in the car and have a lovely
> >> 2 mile drive before it all goes warm, and then hot. Bugger.
> >>
> >> No leaks anywhere, except some clear liquid around the new front pipe,
> >> no drips onto the ground at all. After a couple more miles the
> >> compressor stops cutting in, so presumably I have a leak somewhere.
It's
> >> booked in again on Thursday afternoon, and when I spoke to them they
> >> said they do put dye in all re-gasses, so not really sure what the
clear
> >> liquid is around the pipe, it was a little more viscous than water.
> >>
> >> So, where could the refrigerant go? I also had a kind of gas noise from
> >> the dash as it was getting warm, googling leads me to believe this is
> >> just part of the system running out of refrigerant.
> >>
> >> Baffled, hope this isn't a major failure like a compressor :-(
> >
> > The compressor is more than likely fine, looks like the new pipe they
> > fitted hasn't been done properly. There are rubber washers each end of
> > the pipe, one at the compressor end and where the pipe continues. Both
> > of these should be new  when refitting. I know from my experience that
> > the washer at the compressor end certainly doesn't come supplied with
> > the pipe and must be bought separately. They've either not replaced
> > that or damaged one or the other of these seals.
> >
> > Your refrigerant won't leak out - it's a gas. The leakage will normally
> > come from the oil used to lubricate the compressor. I had a garage
> > refil my A/C. they also assured me they used dye. When mine leaked I
> > didn't see it either.
> >
>
> Usually the dye can only be seen by ultra violet light.


Yes, and no- it can be seen on the skin as a yellowish tint, which wont wash
out- rather like getting iodine on your skin.

Tim..

In message , 
daddyfreddy@gmail.com writes

>
>
>
>The compressor is more than likely fine, looks like the new pipe they
>fitted hasn't been done properly. There are rubber washers each end of
>the pipe, one at the compressor end and where the pipe continues. Both
>of these should be new  when refitting. I know from my experience that
>the washer at the compressor end certainly doesn't come supplied with
>the pipe and must be bought separately. They've either not replaced
>that or damaged one or the other of these seals.
>
>Your refrigerant won't leak out - it's a gas. The leakage will normally
>come from the oil used to lubricate the compressor. I had a garage
>refil my A/C. they also assured me they used dye. When mine leaked I
>didn't see it either.
>


Bugger - again.

One new condenser and a recommendation to replace the other pipe. Booked 
in for next Friday, but it's a 4 hour job as the bumper etc etc has to 
come off for the condenser change.

Well it'd better bloody work after that....

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

> Bugger - again.
>
> One new condenser and a recommendation to replace the other pipe. Booked
> in for next Friday, but it's a 4 hour job as the bumper etc etc has to
> come off for the condenser change.
>
> Well it'd better bloody work after that....
>


Sorry, hit the wrong button last time.

I can't see how there is anything wrong with your compressor when it
was working fine before the gas escaped. How did they evaluate your
compressor needed changing?

Remember, this is the garage that didn't even fix it properly in the
first place. Do you trust their analysis?

In message , 
daddyfreddy@gmail.com writes

>
>> Bugger - again.
>>
>> One new condenser and a recommendation to replace the other pipe. Booked
>> in for next Friday, but it's a 4 hour job as the bumper etc etc has to
>> come off for the condenser change.
>>
>> Well it'd better bloody work after that....
>>
>
>Sorry, hit the wrong button last time.
>
>I can't see how there is anything wrong with your compressor when it
>was working fine before the gas escaped. How did they evaluate your
>compressor needed changing?
>
>Remember, this is the garage that didn't even fix it properly in the
>first place. Do you trust their analysis?
>


Did anybody mention a compressor?

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

mike. buckley wrote:


> Did anybody mention a compressor?
>
> --


Sorry, condenser. That's what happens when you spend too much time in
front of a computer, you end up going word blind!

In message , 
daddyfreddy@gmail.com writes

>
>
>mike. buckley wrote:
>
>> Did anybody mention a compressor?
>>
>> --
>
>Sorry, condenser. That's what happens when you spend too much time in
>front of a computer, you end up going word blind!
>


To be fair the leak is bloody hard to spot (right behind the fan) and 
would only have ended up in the same puddle as the bigger leak from the 
pipe I knew about. They didn't charge me for the second diagnostic, so 
really it's just a bit of inconvenience, car is booked in for next 
Friday when I'm not at work anyway, so no big deal, apart from the bill. 
arrgh.

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

"mike. buckley"  wrote in message 
news:bKLGUlCVyUxCFw5$@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

> In message , 
> daddyfreddy@gmail.com writes
>>
>>
>>mike. buckley wrote:
>>
>>> Did anybody mention a compressor?
>>>
>>> --
>>
>>Sorry, condenser. That's what happens when you spend too much time in
>>front of a computer, you end up going word blind!
>>
>
> To be fair the leak is bloody hard to spot (right behind the fan) and 
> would only have ended up in the same puddle as the bigger leak from the 
> pipe I knew about. They didn't charge me for the second diagnostic, so 
> really it's just a bit of inconvenience, car is booked in for next Friday 
> when I'm not at work anyway, so no big deal, apart from the bill. arrgh.
>


Have they suggested what it might cost?   I ask because the symptoms sound 
similar to my wife's 306.
-- 
Keith Willcocks
(If you can't laugh at life, it ain't worth living!)

In message <da3uc3$qfg$1@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Keith 
Willcocks  writes

>
>"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
>news:bKLGUlCVyUxCFw5$@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...
>> In message ,
>> daddyfreddy@gmail.com writes
>>>
>>>
>>>mike. buckley wrote:
>>>
>>>> Did anybody mention a compressor?
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>
>>>Sorry, condenser. That's what happens when you spend too much time in
>>>front of a computer, you end up going word blind!
>>>
>>
>> To be fair the leak is bloody hard to spot (right behind the fan) and
>> would only have ended up in the same puddle as the bigger leak from the
>> pipe I knew about. They didn't charge me for the second diagnostic, so
>> really it's just a bit of inconvenience, car is booked in for next Friday
>> when I'm not at work anyway, so no big deal, apart from the bill. arrgh.
>>
>
>Have they suggested what it might cost?   I ask because the symptoms sound
>similar to my wife's 306.


Total will be over 500 with the two visits.

Condenser - 100 quid plus 4 hours to fit (all and sundry from front of 
car has to be removed)
First pipe (already replaced) 75 quid plus an hour to fit
Second pipe (to be done with condenser) 45 quid

Plus one diagnostic test and two re-gas, and the dreaded VAT.

Hourly rate is 47 quid inc, which is about par for the course in Brum 
centre.


-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

"mike. buckley"  wrote in message 
news:m3QZr3V67cxCFwdY@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

> In message <da3uc3$qfg$1@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Keith 
> Willcocks  writes
>>
>>"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
>>news:bKLGUlCVyUxCFw5$@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

>>
>>Have they suggested what it might cost?   I ask because the symptoms sound
>>similar to my wife's 306.
>
> Total will be over 500 with the two visits.
>
> Condenser - 100 quid plus 4 hours to fit (all and sundry from front of car 
> has to be removed)
> First pipe (already replaced) 75 quid plus an hour to fit
> Second pipe (to be done with condenser) 45 quid
>
> Plus one diagnostic test and two re-gas, and the dreaded VAT.
>
> Hourly rate is 47 quid inc, which is about par for the course in Brum 
> centre.
>


Thanks for the price.   I think I will buy her one of those little dash 
mounted fans instead ;o)
-- 
Keith Willcocks
(If you can't laugh at life, it ain't worth living!)

Well, double buggery :-(

They tried taking the condenser and pipe out, but all the bolts were 
badly corroded and started snapping off. So short of removing the front 
valance and drilling out the snapped bolts there's no chance of me 
getting my air con working. They were also concerned about the state of 
the radiator and didn't want to risk creating a coolant leak. They 
thought that car had been sat in the sea for a couple of weeks, in fact 
it's just been through some hard motorway winters.

Typical, did 300 miles yesterday in boiling heat :-(

In for full service and cam belt change next week, I'll get them to give 
me a second opinion while it's on the ramp.

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
news:c583oMFdPm0CFwTf@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

> Well, double buggery :-(
>
> They tried taking the condenser and pipe out, but all the bolts were
> badly corroded and started snapping off. So short of removing the front
> valance and drilling out the snapped bolts there's no chance of me
> getting my air con working. They were also concerned about the state of
> the radiator and didn't want to risk creating a coolant leak. They
> thought that car had been sat in the sea for a couple of weeks, in fact
> it's just been through some hard motorway winters.


Its the salty spray driven into the condensor and rad thats caused the
corrosion...

Tim..

In message <datp7k$jql$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Tim.. 
 writes

>
>"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
>news:c583oMFdPm0CFwTf@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...
>> Well, double buggery :-(
>>
>> They tried taking the condenser and pipe out, but all the bolts were
>> badly corroded and started snapping off. So short of removing the front
>> valance and drilling out the snapped bolts there's no chance of me
>> getting my air con working. They were also concerned about the state of
>> the radiator and didn't want to risk creating a coolant leak. They
>> thought that car had been sat in the sea for a couple of weeks, in fact
>> it's just been through some hard motorway winters.
>
>Its the salty spray driven into the condensor and rad thats caused the
>corrosion...
>
>Tim..
>
>

Yeah I guessed, 110 miles a day Hull<>Leeds might preserve engine 
internals but it's not done a lot for the aluminium at the front!

-- 
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2
GSF600S
http://www.toastyhamster.org
BONY#38

"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
news:uqVL82J4zm0CFwVU@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

> In message <datp7k$jql$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Tim..
>  writes
> >
> >"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
> >news:c583oMFdPm0CFwTf@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...
> >> Well, double buggery :-(
> >>
> >> They tried taking the condenser and pipe out, but all the bolts were
> >> badly corroded and started snapping off. So short of removing the front
> >> valance and drilling out the snapped bolts there's no chance of me
> >> getting my air con working. They were also concerned about the state of
> >> the radiator and didn't want to risk creating a coolant leak. They
> >> thought that car had been sat in the sea for a couple of weeks, in fact
> >> it's just been through some hard motorway winters.
> >
> >Its the salty spray driven into the condensor and rad thats caused the
> >corrosion...
> >
> >Tim..
> >
> >
> Yeah I guessed, 110 miles a day Hull<>Leeds might preserve engine
> internals but it's not done a lot for the aluminium at the front!
>


Having the luxury of a power washer, I always try to remember to swill out
the radiator / condensor once or twice a year when its car wash time at
home.

Tim..