Summer fun

[mattjevans]

Just had aircon regassed at HRO. Was playing up a bit beforehand. Worked until I was halfway home. Yesterday it was blowing hotter air than outside (noting it was 30 degrees outside), so that was fun. Worked briefly this morning then back to a fan cook oven...

Then on the way to school pick up noticed the temp gauge in the red zone. Nursed it the last 1/2 mile. Parked in the shade 20 mins then nursed it home. No increase in temp. When I got home realised that temp gauge was still reading 75 with car switched off.

“Italian reset” and that seems sorted. Will get coolant looked at but strongly suspect there was no issue, just electrical playing up after being parked in the sun all day at the station

The A/c is another matter... I feel a bill coming

 

[RobinL]

If it helps any my recent troubles with my Bentley and A/C will make any bills you get seem reasonable.
The A/C didn't work. I hadn't noticed as it was November when I bought it.... So checked out by Bentley in Edinburgh. Told me there was a leak. And I needed new compressor/drier. Trouble is previous owners had used leak detecting dye/fluid and for the Bentley that's a huge issue as in some convoluted way this fills the system with fluid which then can't be drained?!?
So only way to get that out was repeatedly vacuum drying the whole system. Several cycles later and around £3500 in parts and labour and it worked.
Worryingly the next step would have been to drain the heater matrix, which would need the dashboard removing. Bentley dealer said ' we've never done one of those' it'll have to go to Crewe. Initial quote was around £6k to take the system out - didn't include repairing and putting back!!
A/C is an invention of the devil/banking system!

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[Lozzer]

 

[mattjevans]

I really hope it is simpler than that ...

 

[RobinL]

I think possibly every car is simpler than the Bentley. My 4200 is just fine.

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[mikem]

I really hope it is simpler than that ...

Last year I was having similar problems. It required a new compressor, a second hand dryer and condenser (couldn't fit new because delivery was beyond time I was setting off on holiday). Anyway total cost with labour and recharge was just under £3000. So I hope you have some good news and it's something simple.

 

[conaero]

Aircon issues are a pain in the butt. I have found that if the system is not leaking and compressor is not shot, its usually down to one of three things?
1. Pressure sensor
2. Soaked dryer
3. Fan not kicking in

 

[mattjevans]

I just had (2 weeks ago?) the aircon recharge done at HR Owen and would hope (since they did a "health check") while it was in that they would have picked up either a busted compressor or system leaks - I figured sensors or stuck mixer maybe. I've got a couple of small items to deal with from the health check and it will go back in so lets see what they say. £3000 isn't in the budget for this year so it might just be driven windows down until October (I'm SORNing over winter this year, Taxed it last year and drove it 4 times over winter...) then sort it in the major service in March. Planning to do a bunch of other work for that one anyway so was expecting to be laying down £10k.

That said, the aircon worked fine this morning...

 

[CatmanV2]

I think Matt has the right of it. Rather feels like the compressor is not firing. Can you hear the clutch? Aren't these known to be a bit weak?

C

 

[mattjevans]

From what I have read, yes they aren't great. I'm not sure what I should be listening for unfortunately

 

[CatmanV2]

From what I have read, yes they aren't great. I'm not sure what I should be listening for unfortunately

The clutch should sound like a metallic snapping noise IME. If you imagine a large magnet suddenly grabbing something......

C

 

[conaero]

If you cant hear the clutch kicking in, put 12v directly to the compressor terminal and earth the body. If it does kick, then its a sensor telling the system not to fire which is where I would bridge the hi and low pressure sensors to get the clutch to kick in...then you know your on the right track.

 

[RobinL]

Technically AC shouldn't be regarded unless it is checked to be leak free (vacuum test) so we don't release AC gas uneccessarily. Problem is not everyone is strict on this.
Ideally every 3 years, working or not, the system should be emptied, vacuum dried, leak tested, then refilled. A service cost for sure but avoided longer term (higher) costs.
I would switch AC off, then adjust all settings to maximum, run the engine till warm, then switch on AC. You will either hear the clutch kick in or not (you may also hear the revs drop or falter).
Low gas (already leaked away) or absorbed (defective drier) shouldn't be discounted.

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[mattjevans]

As I said, it has literally just been to HR Owen for a regas so I’m off the view that low gas or system leaks are not the most likely to be the cause.

Still possible, I admit, but not likely

 

[mattjevans]

The clutch should sound like a metallic snapping noise IME. If you imagine a large magnet suddenly grabbing something......

C

I heard it as quite a loud snappy click, so I guess that is the clutch working. Mind you, aircon worked again tonight. Ah, that Italian “character”

 

[CatmanV2]

That's the puppy.....

C

 

[Contigo]

No this is the puppy!

 

[Felonious Crud]

She is very sweet, Phil.

How many pairs of shows do you have left?

 

[Contigo]

She is very sweet, Phil.

How many pairs of shows do you have left?

Hahaha ain't that the truth! Can't leave anything lying around otherwise things get "Beagled". She nips the **** out of me and I look like I self harm. It's not been easy but she's getting there with her training etc... sit when told to (mostly) and will fetch me items (remote control, ice cold beer from the fridge, answer the door etc..) but she won't stop digging the lawn yet.....

 

[Felonious Crud]

Does she curl up at your feet and look up at with those big brown beagle eyes?