Aircon Condenser

[kop77audi]

So I have my B5.5 a week now and I knew the aircon wasnt working when I bought it,

I'm guessing this is why...... ?

29918

[zollaf]

aye, that could be why.. can you see a leak there though ?

[kop77audi]

I cant see anything, it looks dry... but to be honest I'm not even sure what I'm looking for!! lol

an elderly gentleman owned the car before me and aircon was the last thing he used,

is there anything else related to the aircon that could be causing my problem?


not sure if this matters but it had a new radiator fitted before I bought it and a new heater matrix fitted just today!! (under warranty)

all I need now is my aircon working and I'll be happy....

[Rob69]

You might see some oily residue round the damaged area, it was bright green when mine bust on a ford i once had (once was enough!) but it could also have been washed off years ago. Find the two air con vac/charging points and remove the caps, you will see the top of a schrader valve, press the valves in slowly and see if there is any pressure in the system, dont let it all out though. If it has pressure your condenser is probably holding. A recharge might be enough to get it working. If not chances are the condenser is holed and needs replacing, you should do the filter drier as well if you want to be precise. You'll need the bumper off to change the condenser. The compressor clutch was knackered on my b5.5 passat so worth checking that as well. Make sure it actually has a belt fitted as well.

[kop77audi]

Thanks.. is the compressor clutch at the very bottom of the engine,

[Rob69]

Yes, bottom drivers side at the front, should have a pulley and belt on the front.

[kop77audi]

Looks like everything is where it should be... and, I pressed both valves for a mili second and a shot of air/gas came out from both!

[Rob69]

I'd suggest a pressure check to see if its low on gas and if so, vac test then recharge. I think the pressure switch can also fail on these as well though, so it could be that. Don't go to a certain kwik place though, use a decent indie.

[kop77audi]

Will do, I was thinking about maybe using a Halfords type recharge kit but I'll bring to an aircon specialist ...

[micheal balbrig]

If the damage in photo is the air con. unit, you should possibly think of replacing it first as a precaution,before it does spring a leak.
As you only have the car a short while,are you aware that the air condition works when the red light is off.(I still get confused with it)

[kop77audi]

If the damage in photo is the air con. unit, you should possibly think of replacing it first as a precaution,before it does spring a leak.
As you only have the car a short while,are you aware that the air condition works when the red light is off.(I still get confused with it)

no, where is the red light?? :D

I don't see one coming on at all!!

[micheal balbrig]

It is the econ button that you press to turn system on/off

[kop77audi]

Oh I know that..., its the red light that I'm confused with, I don't see one at all?


EDIT: I did notice something else unrelated... the switches for adjusting up & down the head light position and dash light brightness are not working at all!!

hmm...

[kop77audi]

I got talking directly to the mechanic in the garage I bought the car from who replaced the heater matrix yesterday...

he told me that there was gas in the system before he replaced the matrix,

I then told him I could hear a hissing noise when I pressed both valves last night when I got the car back and he said that this would be normal even if its nearly empty,

he advised me to get it gassed up and checked for leaks etc!!

so I'll do that with a proper aircon company but if it doesn't work he said he'll take the car in & check for fault codes and go from there...

[Rob69]

Yes you would get a hissing if it's 'nearly' empty but none if it is completely empty from a hole in the condensor or any where else in the system. I'm no expert, but there is a pressure switch that holds the compressor out if pressure drops below a certain level to avoid damaging the compressor through lost oil / refrig charge. I have read that this switch can fail and hold the system out even if the charge is ok.
An air con guy will see you right, don't DIY with a bottle from Halfords !

By the way what spec is your 5.5, mine is highline and has the AUTO or ECON options to either let the climate control bring in the AC or have it switched off in ECON mode, no red light in mine.

[kop77audi]

Yes you would get a hissing if it's 'nearly' empty but none if it is completely empty from a hole in the condensor or any where else in the system. I'm no expert, but there is a pressure switch that holds the compressor out if pressure drops below a certain level to avoid damaging the compressor through lost oil / refrig charge. I have read that this switch can fail and hold the system out even if the charge is ok.
An air con guy will see you right, don't DIY with a bottle from Halfords !

By the way what spec is your 5.5, mine is highline and has the AUTO or ECON options to either let the climate control bring in the AC or have it switched off in ECON mode, no red light in mine.

Mine is a Comfortline and also has AUTO or ECON option (no red light), if my memory is correct its the same set-up as the 2002 B5 that I owned about 4 years ago...

[kop77audi]

a few final questions before I go and book it in with an aircon specialist... and this is me been paranoid!!! :D


1. if the compressor clutch was shot would it be noisy even if the aircon wasn't working or out of gas?

2. to stop it been noisy could a previous owner disconnect or foul a sensor or something so they wouldn't have to by-pass the clutch?

[micheal balbrig]

OOps! thought I was replying to Audi query, which has a red light in the econ button,sorry for error.
I suppose the clutch could be disconnected from its 12v supply,but I think its unlikely that the clutch itself would be faulty.

[Rob69]

Depends how it is shot, an electromagnet pulls the drive plate onto the driven compressor shaft plate, if there is no supply thenno clutch engagement or noise. There is a rubber bush between the belt pulley and drive plate (on my Denso compressor anyway) I've seen diaphragm plates on others, this lets the drive plate move axially a mm or so to engage. This bush had shredded on mine and let the drive plate rattle round. That was obviously noisy with AC off, as my wife found one wet night and a 200 mile relay trip later (but AA man couldn't find !) It required a replacement pulley assembly off a breaker. The default position for the clutch is disengaged, so previous owner could have disconnected the clutch supply if the compressor is knackered, but it would be easier to just cut the belt, which is what my missus did the next day.

[kop77audi]

Had a friend run a scan with his laptop (Delphi software) and it threw up quiet a few error codes but the one we think related to the AC is;

18080 - Cooling fan 1: Short circuit to ground or open circuit
- Permanent

he cleared the others and they didn't show up on the second scan but 18080 remains,

bad earth, cut/damaged wire?

to be honest the cold air through the aircon is not that bad!... just not as cold as what it could be compared to my sisters 2008 Passat.