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That old BIG Rattle

Shane Hodges

Shane Hodges

PCGB Member
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I posted some time ago on how to get access to the heating / ventilation system as I had a very bad vibration at higher speeds. I think I've found what it was but now have another question!

It appears that whatever I went over with the left wheel went straight up into the radiator behind the left wheel - I understand this is the aircon radiator rather than the oil cooler radiator?

It basically stripped an awful lot of fins from the rad which obviuosly went in all directions ... and are now dropping back out from the bottom of the PU.

Am I OK to run with gaps in the rad? I see no fluid leaks, so the system appears to be intact.

Any comments would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
Hi,

If it is the aircon rad you won't see any leaks. The gas will have escaped and the aircon will no longer work. So no actual harm in running the car, but in order to prove the point you will need to go to an A/C specialist and have the system checked for leaks.
As a self check put the A/C on full cold and with the engine running the A/C compressor should cut in and out. If not there is a leak because the compressor will not run if there is no gas. Safety measure.

Hope the rad is OK I expect it is expensive to replace.

Michael
 
Putting on the aircon no longer leads to the occasional little hisses of noise (I guess this would have been the compressor kicking in) so it sounds as though the system is kaputt.

Cheers for the ebay link Adam, but unfortunately I've missed the opportunity.

So is it off to an Aircon specialist (can anyone make a recommendation in the St Albans area ... or the London area generally) or is it an OPC/JZM check and quote first?

Cheers for the help so far,
 
My Condenser came from OPC and part cost £180 + vat if I remember correctly. Not easy to fit as I think they had to take off Wheel Arch Liner and pull Bumper Cover forward.

It comes without fan/resistors so hopefully yours may be ok to transfer.
 
ORIGINAL: Shane Hodges

Putting on the aircon no longer leads to the occasional little hisses of noise (I guess this would have been the compressor kicking in) so it sounds as though the system is kaputt.

Cheers for the ebay link Adam, but unfortunately I've missed the opportunity.

So is it off to an Aircon specialist (can anyone make a recommendation in the St Albans area ... or the London area generally) or is it an OPC/JZM check and quote first?

Cheers for the help so far,
Click to expand...

Yes, as John said to change the radiator you will have to remove the wheel arch liner and remove the front PU. Neither of these are difficult. Even to remove the radiator is easy only three nuts, plus the two hoses.
.
What really makes the whole job non DIY is the gas. If the system has had air in it, then when repaired the system has to be fully evacuated before it is re-gassed. I suppose you could do the job yourself if you wanted, then have one of the mobile people come round and do the re-gas, although I would check this first that they would be prepared to do this.

My Porsche a/c works fine, the reason I know something about a/c is because I have had lots of problems and much expense with my BMW a/c

Cheers
Michael
 
Mmm, thanks all. I'm guessing the front wheel needs to come off before you can get the wheel arch liners off too? .. and is my understanding correct that the condenser is part of the rad rather than a seperate bolt on?

Me thinks time and the regassing issue will lead me to a garage.

Can anyone make a recommendation in the St Albans / London area of an Aircon specialist or is it an OPC/JZM check and quote first?
 
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