The story. My Air Conditioning this year is not working. I had it
re-gassed last year and pre-checked for leaks using nitrogen(only using
a sniffer and not the dye test for leaks...wished I`d know about that!
- there were no leaks detected with the former method) The system
worked well all last summer and I excercised the A/C during the winter.
I had a new cam belt, A/C belt and Alternator belt fitted about 3
months ago. Is there anything I can check? Is there a fuse for this
system? The light comes on on the switch but there doesn`t seemed to be
any "load" on the engine when it is switched on  like it used to when
it worked. All belts look OK. Please, I know ultimately I`m going to
have to take it in to an expert, but anything obvious to check first???

"eevoob"  wrote in message
news:1119195919.103588.139480@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

> The story. My Air Conditioning this year is not working. I had it
> re-gassed last year and pre-checked for leaks using nitrogen(only using
> a sniffer and not the dye test for leaks...wished I`d know about that!
> - there were no leaks detected with the former method) The system
> worked well all last summer and I excercised the A/C during the winter.
> I had a new cam belt, A/C belt and Alternator belt fitted about 3
> months ago. Is there anything I can check? Is there a fuse for this
> system? The light comes on on the switch but there doesn`t seemed to be
> any "load" on the engine when it is switched on  like it used to when
> it worked. All belts look OK. Please, I know ultimately I`m going to
> have to take it in to an expert, but anything obvious to check first???
>


Checked one out last week, on that an ally pipe had corroded under a
securing clamp (uv dye checked out with a uv light)

In message , Angus McCoatup 
 writes

>
>"eevoob"  wrote in message
>news:1119195919.103588.139480@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>> The story. My Air Conditioning this year is not working.

<snip>
>>
>
>Checked one out last week, on that an ally pipe had corroded under a
>securing clamp (uv dye checked out with a uv light)
>
>


Aye, that's what happened to mine. A lot failed under warranty according 
to the parts bloke I spoke to, so I was lucky mine lasted as long as it 
did. I didn't bother fixing it as the pipe that went was 100 odd quid to 
replace (plus re-gas) and parts bloke reckoned the other pipes go 
shortly after, so probably more like a 4-500 quid bill by the end of it. 
You could probably get the pipes made up somewhere but you won't save an 
awful lot. Cheaper to wind the windows down for the few really hot days 
we get.

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

"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
news:pxh66PTNartCFwtF@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

> In message , Angus McCoatup
>  writes
> >
> >"eevoob"  wrote in message
> >news:1119195919.103588.139480@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> >> The story. My Air Conditioning this year is not working.
>
> <snip>
> >>
> >
> >Checked one out last week, on that an ally pipe had corroded under a
> >securing clamp (uv dye checked out with a uv light)
> >
> >
>
> Aye, that's what happened to mine. A lot failed under warranty according
> to the parts bloke I spoke to, so I was lucky mine lasted as long as it
> did. I didn't bother fixing it as the pipe that went was 100 odd quid to
> replace (plus re-gas) and parts bloke reckoned the other pipes go
> shortly after, so probably more like a 4-500 quid bill by the end of it.
> You could probably get the pipes made up somewhere but you won't save an
> awful lot. Cheaper to wind the windows down for the few really hot days
> we get.


LOL! I'd rather have the a/c working no matter (within reason) the cost of
keeping it working!

Alot of repairs can be done at home, and most parts are now available on the
public market via specialist firms or the internet. Most Hydraulic and A/c
specialists can re-make you a bust pipe either in ally or rubber with
appropriate fittings crimped on for not alot of money.

Admittedly removing front bumpers and / or the dash to get at leaky
components is the worst part.

Tim..

In message <d96es1$ist$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Tim.. 
 writes

>
>"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
>news:pxh66PTNartCFwtF@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...
>>
>> Aye, that's what happened to mine. A lot failed under warranty according
>> to the parts bloke I spoke to, so I was lucky mine lasted as long as it
>> did. I didn't bother fixing it as the pipe that went was 100 odd quid to
>> replace (plus re-gas) and parts bloke reckoned the other pipes go
>> shortly after, so probably more like a 4-500 quid bill by the end of it.
>> You could probably get the pipes made up somewhere but you won't save an
>> awful lot. Cheaper to wind the windows down for the few really hot days
>> we get.
>
>LOL! I'd rather have the a/c working no matter (within reason) the cost of
>keeping it working!
>
>Alot of repairs can be done at home, and most parts are now available on the
>public market via specialist firms or the internet. Most Hydraulic and A/c
>specialists can re-make you a bust pipe either in ally or rubber with
>appropriate fittings crimped on for not alot of money.
>
>Admittedly removing front bumpers and / or the dash to get at leaky
>components is the worst part.
>


Well my TD had done about 80-90k when the air con went, it's now on 
119k, and to be honest, spending 4-500 quid to fix the aircon doesn't 
really appeal to me, the whole car can't be worth more than 1500 quid, 
even though it's in excellent nick.

Anybody fancy guessing the value? S Reg TD, 119k, great condition, FSH 
(oil every 5k, service every 10k), all receipts, all tyres 5mm plus, 
regularly waxed and generally mint (apart from the air con!). I keep 
thinking of changing for something a bit quicker, but then I think - is 
any car I get in my budget (8-10k) really going to seem like an 8k 
better car?

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

> Well my TD had done about 80-90k when the air con went, it's now on 119k, 
> and to be honest, spending 4-500 quid to fix the aircon doesn't really 
> appeal to me, the whole car can't be worth more than 1500 quid, even 
> though it's in excellent nick.
>
> Anybody fancy guessing the value? S Reg TD, 119k, great condition, FSH 
> (oil every 5k, service every 10k), all receipts, all tyres 5mm plus, 
> regularly waxed and generally mint (apart from the air con!). I keep 
> thinking of changing for something a bit quicker, but then I think - is 
> any car I get in my budget (8-10k) really going to seem like an 8k better 
> car?


In that sort of condition with that history and the not-too-high mileage, 
I'd guess that it'd be worth around 2500 or so, so if you're considering 
keeping it for another 2-3 years at least (which it should easily last 
without problems, I reckon) then it'd be worth spending the money on fixing 
the aircon.  Just my twopennorth.

Peter

"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
news:96rPYRjkJ8tCFw$4@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...

> In message <d96es1$ist$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Tim..
>  writes
> >
> >"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
> >news:pxh66PTNartCFwtF@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...
> >>
> >> Aye, that's what happened to mine. A lot failed under warranty
according
> >> to the parts bloke I spoke to, so I was lucky mine lasted as long as it
> >> did. I didn't bother fixing it as the pipe that went was 100 odd quid
to
> >> replace (plus re-gas) and parts bloke reckoned the other pipes go
> >> shortly after, so probably more like a 4-500 quid bill by the end of
it.
> >> You could probably get the pipes made up somewhere but you won't save
an
> >> awful lot. Cheaper to wind the windows down for the few really hot days
> >> we get.
> >
> >LOL! I'd rather have the a/c working no matter (within reason) the cost
of
> >keeping it working!
> >
> >Alot of repairs can be done at home, and most parts are now available on
the
> >public market via specialist firms or the internet. Most Hydraulic and
A/c
> >specialists can re-make you a bust pipe either in ally or rubber with
> >appropriate fittings crimped on for not alot of money.
> >
> >Admittedly removing front bumpers and / or the dash to get at leaky
> >components is the worst part.
> >
>
> Well my TD had done about 80-90k when the air con went, it's now on
> 119k, and to be honest, spending 4-500 quid to fix the aircon doesn't
> really appeal to me, the whole car can't be worth more than 1500 quid,
> even though it's in excellent nick.
>
> Anybody fancy guessing the value? S Reg TD, 119k, great condition, FSH
> (oil every 5k, service every 10k), all receipts, all tyres 5mm plus,
> regularly waxed and generally mint (apart from the air con!). I keep
> thinking of changing for something a bit quicker, but then I think - is
> any car I get in my budget (8-10k) really going to seem like an 8k
> better car?
>



To be honest if you do come to sell it, you;ll find it is only worth ~1500
to most people with non functioning a/c but more like ~2-2250 with it
working.

(if the condition is as you say- well maintaned good nick 306 DT's are
holding their money very well still)

Tim..

In message <d992ck$510$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Tim.. 
 writes

>
>"mike. buckley"  wrote in message
>news:96rPYRjkJ8tCFw$4@toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk...
>> Anybody fancy guessing the value? S Reg TD, 119k, great condition, FSH
>> (oil every 5k, service every 10k), all receipts, all tyres 5mm plus,
>> regularly waxed and generally mint (apart from the air con!). I keep
>> thinking of changing for something a bit quicker, but then I think - is
>> any car I get in my budget (8-10k) really going to seem like an 8k
>> better car?
>>
>
>
>To be honest if you do come to sell it, you;ll find it is only worth ~1500
>to most people with non functioning a/c but more like ~2-2250 with it
>working.
>
>(if the condition is as you say- well maintaned good nick 306 DT's are
>holding their money very well still)
>
>Tim..
>
>

Hmm ok that's interesting, although as it's been unused for a couple of 
years it could be more than just the pipes that have gone I guess. I'll 
have a dig round locally for anybody that does aircon repairs. Cheers.

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

The message <wYTte.29026$cN2.16123@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>
from "AstraVanMan"  contains
these words:


> In that sort of condition with that history and the not-too-high mileage, 
> I'd guess that it'd be worth around 2500 or so,


Talking of how much cars are worth - between Welshpool and Shrewsbury
there's a garage with a Chevette on the forecourt.

I nearly crashed when I spotted the price.


950!

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

Guy King (guy.king@zetnet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying : 


> Talking of how much cars are worth - between Welshpool and Shrewsbury
> there's a garage with a Chevette on the forecourt.
> 
> I nearly crashed when I spotted the price.
> 
> 950!


Iss a classic, innit, squire?

The message 
from Adrian  contains these words:


> > Talking of how much cars are worth - between Welshpool and Shrewsbury
> > there's a garage with a Chevette on the forecourt.
> > 
> > I nearly crashed when I spotted the price.
> > 
> > 950!

> Iss a classic, innit, squire?


Classic joke, asking that much for it.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

Quick update, the cars being done tomorrow by an expert. Yesterday., he
put some dye in the system ,started regassing then pop! a hole
discovered and the UV liquid emerging......didn`t even need a light!
It`s the lower pipe from the compressor to the n/s of the car. Its a
comon place to go since it is so exposed and under  a clip......so
cost...£47 for pipe, £5 for dye, £10 fitting, £55 regas...not
bad....and no fuses gone....incidently,the loading on the compressor is
not there cos since there`s no gas in the system, the low pressure
switch stops it functioning.you learn something new every day!

In message , 
eevoob  writes

>Quick update, the cars being done tomorrow by an expert. Yesterday., he
>put some dye in the system ,started regassing then pop! a hole
>discovered and the UV liquid emerging......didn`t even need a light!
>It`s the lower pipe from the compressor to the n/s of the car. Its a
>comon place to go since it is so exposed and under  a clip......so
>cost...47 for pipe, 5 for dye, 10 fitting, 55 regas...not
>bad....and no fuses gone....incidently,the loading on the compressor is
>not there cos since there`s no gas in the system, the low pressure
>switch stops it functioning.you learn something new every day!
>


Same place mine went, and if Pug parts bloke was correct, expect the 
other pipes to fail in the next few months :-(

Mine's booked in for Monday....

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

To be honest, I`ve visually checked all the other pipes (that I can see
at least!) and all "look" fine. I can understand why this one had gone
because it is well exposed. Here`s to hoping though.............