Compressor running. 30psi but no cold???

[Axa]

Espace 2008. Regassed with Envitosafe gass to 50psi as i also did last summer and AC was cooling good. Compressor engages fine and makes pressure to drop to about 30psi.
The GPS screen did go dark in the beginning of the winter so I'm not sure if the outside temperature sensor is working as the temperature is supposed to be displayed on that screen.
I have opened up and cleaned the cabin temperature sensor with electro clean spray as the fan was annoyingly noisy. (Still is)

Any suggestions? We really need the AC to work now as our dog don't do well in the heat..

Cheers

Gunnar

[xantia_v6]

My advice is that once the system is not working, there is no alternative but to have the system evacuated and a known weight of gas added before measuring the pressures (low and high side).

[Zelandeth]

This sounds like it needs to be checked by someone with professional kit.

Just because the compressor clutch is pulled in doesn't necessarily mean that it's actually pumping. If you're having to add gas every year something needs sorting anyway, really shouldn't be needed any more than every five years or so.

Could be a duff compressor, could be a blocked expansion valve/capillary tube, could be the control system having a fit, could be a solenoid valve not opening...but without having the pressures on both sides of the system checked and an appropriate charge weighed in you're trying to work blind.

Any decent outfit should do a leak down test while it's under vacuum too which should show if there are any leaks that are a serious issue.

...with the price of refrigerant these days, *any* leak is an issue!

[Gibbo2286]

I've just done a search on all the usual suspects for re-gassing, the price is £60 ish everywhere for the full treatment.
My local garage will do it for £50 for me as a trader...……….he said "If I was you Eric I'd just wind the windows down."

[white exec]

€40-45 here. Most garages have the pukka kit. A 50-minute job, with proper evacuation and recharging with gas+oil, and pressure checks.

Bit of a trek from Norway, though...

[Axa]

Thanx för your inputs. I ended up ordering a few more boxes of Envirosafe gass, and after filling in one more the AC now cools very well!

I really enjoy fixing as much as possible on our cars. Unfortunately I have mostly bad experience with garage repairs. I just managed to make the starter solenoid contact to work again just by twisting the shaft. No solenoids in stock in Norway so only other option before the summer vacation would have been a new starter for £170.
I might order a spare solenoid from eBay for ~£15

[white exec]

Be careful with adding your own gas from top-up packages. Most AC systems require the correct volume (weight) of gas to be used, and not to be under- or over-filled.
Also important that the correct grade and quantity of the special lubricating oil (matched to the gas used) is maintained. Professional kit evacuates both of these, and refills to the correct weights for the car. I think worth paying for, and not expensive anyway.

[Peter.N.]

50 psi seems a bit high, mine runs 25 - 30psi although with the engine stopped it nearly goes off the scale. Mine leaks a little, I had to top it up this year although it was still working but not as well. I expect my compressor bearing seal is leaking but a new compressor would cost me more than I paid for the car.

This is the first car I have had in about 20 years on which the aircon actually works, doesn't usually get hot enough to bother me but I'm glad I've got it this year.

Peter

[Axa]

50 psi seems a bit high, mine runs 25 - 30psi although with the engine stopped it nearly goes off the scale. Mine leaks a little, I had to top it up this year although it was still working but not as well. I expect my compressor bearing seal is leaking but a new compressor would cost me more than I paid for the car.

This is the first car I have had in about 20 years on which the aircon actually works, doesn't usually get hot enough to bother me but I'm glad I've got it this year.

Peter

Sorry it was me mixing up the number. 50psi was at system not running, dropping to under 30psi with the compressor running. Filling another can of Envirosafe cured it. Now cooling just fine in the tropical heat

[Michel]

Those in the UK - and perhaps elsewhere, it's always worth looking on Groupon for local places near you doing AC regas and clean. I had my Polo done for only £32 quid last week at ATS Euromaster in Bracknell, was given a full print out of what weights of gas and oil were added, and confirmation of no leaks. Other independent places often have AC offers on too. Well worth a go.

[wurlycorner]

Yep, as above, the system should be vacuumed down first, otherwise no guarantee that moisture is removed and there are no leaks.
The original problem could have been something as simple as the needle valve sticking (which can be due to corrosion due to moisture in the system).

[Axa]

Yep, as above, the system should be vacuumed down first, otherwise no guarantee that moisture is removed and there are no leaks.
The original problem could have been something as simple as the needle valve sticking (which can be due to corrosion due to moisture in the system).

Is it possible to work this needle valve manually with the system running to check if it's sticking and if to see if open and close it makes any difference?

The system are now cooling decently good however not as cold as in our Citroen C5. But I suspect the difference in inside volume also makes s significant difference in temperature and time to cool the air .

[wurlycorner]

Not familiar with the specifics of the system in that car, but I'm not aware of being able to operate them manually, no.