A/C Filter??

neilo · 09-03-2006, 11:58 AM

Hi all,

First time poster, but been reading the forums for a bit fixing a few minor, expected problems with my 77,300km AU Classic.

Anyway, it's in for an A/C regas today, and mention was made of a filter that the Falcons supposedly need. It's optional, apparently, for the car but for a "good service", it should be fitted.

Now, this is the first time the a/c's been touched since I bought the car new, and there's no other problem with it other than not as cold as it use to be.

Is this actually reasonable or am I getting dudded?

Thanks,

Neil

svo347 · 09-03-2006, 12:03 PM

pollen filter...?
As for not as cold , was the car moving or stationary etc as this makes a difference also.

09-03-2006, 12:04 PM

Au's didn't have pollen filters?

phildee · 09-03-2006, 12:05 PM

Possibly reffering to the dryer/filter in the air con loop?

They should be replaced if the loop has been opened, didnt think they would need to if its just a standard regas.

svo347 · 09-03-2006, 12:07 PM

Cheap insurance wouldnt it be to get a new receiver/drier

neilo · 09-03-2006, 12:13 PM

@svo347, It just isn't as cold as it use to be, either moving or standing. Heck; my wife's Kia Rio has colder a/c.

Fair enough, though. I'll get him to replace the filter.

Axle-F · 09-03-2006, 03:52 PM

air filters do get old, so will need replacing.

i just got my AU regassed (at 80,000km) and cost me friggen $1,500 cause all the seals were wrecked. i'm still hurting from that bill.

neilo · 09-03-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axle-F

air filters do get old, so will need replacing.

i just got my AU regassed (at 80,000km) and cost me friggen $1,500 cause all the seals were wrecked. i'm still hurting from that bill.

Please tell me there were other symptoms other than it needed a regas...

Axle-F · 09-03-2006, 05:16 PM

Yep. Because the seals were destroyed the AC specialist had to go through it for a number of hours with an irridescant torch to determine exactly which seals were broken, then they all needed to be replaced. This had to happen twice since there were many subtle leaks through the system.

Basically the previous owner had never run the air conditioning enough so all the seals were fecked and difficult to repair.

:

philstoj · 09-03-2006, 05:50 PM

If your AC isnt working well, running intermittently or not blowing cold air then the most probable cause is a blockage of the line at the filter. now theres a particular name for it but i cant think of it now.
Had this done as mine was playing up, and its a common problem for cars that run this sort of AC system.
Mine was completely blocked by metal particles (which came from the compressor) so was replaced and had my AC gas put back in (as they need to recover it).
Even after checking the system pressure (was fine) the AC wasnt working, tracked it down to being a blockage.
$180 later and is all good now.

svo347 · 09-03-2006, 07:47 PM

TX Valve?

miitch · 09-03-2006, 09:10 PM

Standard practise when I work on any Air conditioning or refrigeration equipment is to change over [when charging system with gas or system is open to air] what is known as a 'drier', sometimes they become blocked and this will affect the operation of the TX Valve by limiting the refrigerant flow. It would be a good idea to have this replaced if that's what you are talking about.
Don't quote me i'm only just into my 2nd year as a refrig apprentice and I don't do any work on cars.

HLC · 09-03-2006, 10:46 PM

my aircon blows white gas sometimes :|

but it's cold as :|

miitch · 09-03-2006, 10:55 PM

Does this 'gas' have any sort of smell to it? It could just be humidity.

XR6-VCT-2000 · 09-03-2006, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axle-F

Yep. Because the seals were destroyed the AC specialist had to go through it for a number of hours with an irridescant torch to determine exactly which seals were broken, then they all needed to be replaced. This had to happen twice since there were many subtle leaks through the system.

Basically the previous owner had never run the air conditioning enough so all the seals were fecked and difficult to repair.

:

I can tell you for a fact from a mate in the refridgeration business - cars and companys - i was told - and it makes sence to me too - that tuning the car off with the aircon still goin can dry/freeze the seals too , you should allways switch off your aircon a few mins prior to stoping your car to alow the heat off the engine to bring all the seals down to a normal temp again in the aircon unit. I have followed this rule for years too and never had a problem or need to regas, so i think he was onto somthing right ! .

miitch · 09-03-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6-VCT-2000

I can tell you for a fact from a mate in the refridgeration business - cars and companys - i was told - and it makes sence to me too - that tuning the car off with the aircon still goin can dry/freeze the seals too , you should allways switch off your aircon a few mins prior to stoping your car to alow the heat off the engine to bring all the seals down to a normal temp again in the aircon unit. I have followed this rule for years too and never had a problem or need to regas, so i think he was onto somthing right ! .

Turning the car off would dswitch off the fans that the aircon system would need to run efficiently, without a fan on the evaporator for example, the refrigerant would simply ice up the evap coil and could potentially damage seals.

XR6-VCT-2000 · 09-03-2006, 11:48 PM

i dont think you read/understood what i wrote correct ..im not saying run the aircon with the car off ! ..

miitch · 10-03-2006, 12:59 AM

Either way it shouldn't make a difference then, sorry - got a bit carried away.

Small amounts of oil will travel through a system with the refrigerant, the oil lubricates o-rings and seals etc, so therefore, all you should have to do to keep them from wearing out is to run your aircon atleast once or twice a week, this is recommended in most user guides/manuals anyway.