AC not working anymore 2015 C4

[benniemin]

Today I noticed that my AC is not working anymore on my 2015 Citroen C4. 11 months ago I had the AC serviced (vacuum check, AC refilled) and it worked fine throughout the summer. When the AC was refilled, the technician noticed that in 9 years with no service to the AC, there was barely any gas gone (about 75 grams of the 425 total). During that time, the airco worked, but not very effective (only on highways) and made an intermitting hissing sound. After the refill, the hissing was gone for a couple of weeks.

Now months later, the hissing sound is nearly constant, and the AC doesn't cool at all. I've also noticed that when the AC is activated, air escapes from the top of the radiator in the engine compartment (is this normal?). Before going back to the AC tech again, is there anything I can check or is there a logical explanation for this AC failure?

I made a little video so you can hear the hissing sound:

[xantia_v6]

The audible hissing, coupled with low efficiency is usually a sign that the system is low on refrigerant, so needs a leak test.

I presume that your A/C guy is competent, so best take it back to him.

[BarneyRubble]

I agree here. It seems that your system definitely has a leak. The low pressure sensor in the AC system has detected this and will not turn on, explaining the no AC condition. The photo at the end of the video is the radiator, but I'm reasonably sure the condenser/drier unit (which looks like, and is, essentially, a second radiator) is mounted in front of the standard radiator which might explain how the sound comes from the top of the radiator, but is, in reality, the condenser that's hissing. This would then explain the leak condition and no A/C.

As xantia_v6 mentioned, pressure testing the AC along with fluorescent dye / UV torch, should reveal the location of the leak.

If it turns out to be a leak in the condenser, a new Bosch condenser would set you back £61-£71 (Autodoc), depending on which one you have. There appear to be three, as seen here on catcar.info : https://tinyurl.com/2cd8729w

(N.B. caveat: based on diesel engine model, your car will be surely different, this is an enthusiast on the internet, not real, professional advice)

[benniemin]

I've had a tech look at it. It is indeed a leak in the condensor. I've been searching all day for a video/guide on how to replace it. Does anyone know something like this exists?

[xantia_v6]

I haven't done it myself, but the general procedure is to remove the fastenings from the top of the coolant radiator and push it back against the engine and then the condenser can be extracted through the gap between the radiator and the slam panel.

The dealer method involves removing the front bumper for access, but I believe that some have managed the job without removing the bumper.

[moizeau]

The dealer method involves removing the front bumper for access, but I believe that some have managed the job without removing the bumper.

Possibly due to access to the bottom pipe clamp. I had to remove the bumper on my 407 due to an inaccessible bolt

[benniemin]

As preperation and before I'm going to buy parts, I'm trying to figure out if I could replace the condensor myself. I've checked if it's possible to unbolt the bottom pipe clamp. Although it's a bit of a squeeze, I believe it's possible. The thing I'm figuring out now is how to 'unclip' these 2 connection points for the radiator (marked with the arrow in the picture below). It seems there is a allan bolt on the opposite side of the ring. Should that be it?



The other hurdle I'm facing is getting the radiator off to the side, once the condensor pipe's are disconnected. Bellow I've marked the biggest obstacle to flip the radiator so I can get the condensor out. I'm hoping I can just move the radiator a little to the left so I can get past this obstacle. Does anyone have experience with this?