A/C flush after compressor failure?

[g60stu]

My air con has got worse over the past couple of years to a point that its now kicking out no cool at all. I had an air con guy round the other day and he tells me that the system has plenty of gas in it (not bad – its never been regassed EVER!). Now the bad news – he says the compressor is noisy and needs replacing and more importantly the a/c pipework and evaporator core needs flushing through in case there is any broken down compressor in the system which will break any new components if not flushed out.

So here’s a plan:

• Get the system flushed out.
• Then (DIY of course!) replace the compressor, condenser and dryer with new.
• Get the system regassed
• Chill

So I’ve been recommended an A/C specialist in West London to do the flush. They quoted 250+VAT. I trust that they know their **** but the guy I spoke to had zero customer skills and it’s a PITA to spend a day in West London.

SEAT quoted me £140 for a flush, but I’m sceptical about how cheap that is and whether their “flush” really is the “flush” I need for compressor failure.

Am I over-thinking this? Can any old garage do a proper flush? Some garages have offer to replace the compressor without any form of flush!?!

Compressor replacement appears to be vaguely straight forward.

Condenser replacement – can it be removed from the front? I’m assuming yes based on an old photo I have from when I fitted an Airtec.

Question – should I go all out and replace the radiator whilst I have the opportunity?? Again, does this remove from the front (after the condenser) or does the whole front slam panel need to be removed from the car?

 

[Thai-wronghorse]

Slam panel off to remove rad pack unfortunately mate.

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[Thai-wronghorse]

With that said it might be possible with the Airtec braces removed but can't say I've ever tried as I'm generally just ripping them apart so I'd always drop the entire front end.

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[g60stu]

Slam panel off to remove rad pack unfortunately mate.

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I mean, if the front bumper and intercooler is off, how much of a headache is it to remove the slam panel? Car isn’t a daily, so I can afford to take my time.

 

[Thai-wronghorse]

In all honesty it's very simple to remove.

Bumper off
Drain coolant from the lower radiator valve
Disconnect bonnet release cable
Crash bar off
Headlights out
Few bolts to chassis legs
4x bolts onto wing supports.
2x coolant hoses and a few plugs disconnect.
Unscrew auxiliary water pump from fan cowling.
Slam panel can now be pulled forward and can decide how you'd like to evacuate the AC system

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[Alexis27]

My old car, which a relative now has, has the same problem. A specialist VAG Group independent I use quoted £700 for the entire job. I trust them completely and so would be sceptical of getting the compressor, condenser, labour, flush and regas - and getting a proper job - for any less than that (just to help you as a reference).

 

[smutts]

Do the radiator fans work when AC is selected? No fan, no AC.
One of the three 30A fuses on top of the battery is notorious for causing hassles.

The fill is supposed to be weighed, but after twenty years, I doubt there will be a full fill.
The temptation would be to stuff a can of R134a into it & see what happens.
The cheapy fill hose should have a pressure guage.

If there is no pressure in the system, you will have a leak.
Also moisture will have crept in and destroyed the oil.

https://yarchive.net/ac/index.html

The link is about twenty years old, but someone knew their stuff.

 

[g60stu]

Yes. Radiator fans work perfectly. I tested them a few months back. I’m pretty sure the compressor is busted. So my question still stands - Will a regular flush by any old garage be adequate, or do I need to go to an a/c specialist?

 

[andylong]

Take it to somewhere that has the right kit to flush the system through.
Compressor clutches do fail leaving the compressor unable to spin but not contaminating the system, but if the compressor requires replacement the system will need flushing anyway.
Seals tend to die if the system hasn't been maintained and provided lubricant

 

[smutts]

X2 at checking the electric clutch on the compressor pulley.
I think you can see if it's working if someone else presses the AC switch for you.

 

[g60stu]

Ok. You got me thinking. But the a/c guy indicated that the compressor was noisy when switched on. It would be nice if it was just the clutch. Maybe I’ll do some sanity checks.

BTW A new compressor from SEAT is about £900! WTF! That’s why I’m looking at aftermarket products but it’s a bit of a minefield. I don’t want to buy a piece of crap.

 

[andylong]

The clutch is inside the pulley, I don't think you can see it, but if you can the end of the pulley won't spin with the ac off. Switch the AC on and it should spin.

 

[smutts]

Ok. You got me thinking. But the a/c guy indicated that the compressor was noisy when switched on. It would be nice if it was just the clutch. Maybe I’ll do some sanity checks.

BTW A new compressor from SEAT is about £900! WTF! That’s why I’m looking at aftermarket products but it’s a bit of a minefield. I don’t want to buy a piece of crap.

VAG don't make compressors, so a ball ache of cross referencing lies ahead of you to find the OEM,
The parts numbers will be made as fiendishly awkward as possible to prevent this.
Example. A master cylinder for a Ferrari Testarossa? Expensive? Oh yes! and it's the same as the one in my Leon.

 

[andylong]

Go here, have a look around. Before you do get a load of photos of your compressor showing connections of all types.

🚙 Car Air Conditioning Compressor | Air Con Pump

If you're in need of a new car air con compressor, auto air con pump or vehicle AC compressor ✅ then contact us today. Air Con Compressors for all makes and model of vehicle. All brand new with a 2 YEAR warranty and free next day delivery 📦

www.autoairconparts.co.uk

 

[andylong]

These parts don't have to be expensive, manufacturers have made up prices for many things in thier supply train

 

[g60stu]

Go here, have a look around. Before you do get a load of photos of your compressor showing connections of all types.

🚙 Car Air Conditioning Compressor | Air Con Pump

If you're in need of a new car air con compressor, auto air con pump or vehicle AC compressor ✅ then contact us today. Air Con Compressors for all makes and model of vehicle. All brand new with a 2 YEAR warranty and free next day delivery 📦

www.autoairconparts.co.uk

Yes, I have been looking at their compressors. They claim to be OEM standard and at around £300 seems like a reasonable price. What concerns me is where they get the compressors from. No labels, could be from anywhere. Or am I better off buying Denso, Mahle, Delphi, where at least I know they come from a big name in the auto industry.

Same issue with the radiator and a/c condensor. SEAT don't sell the rad anymore.
Is Mahle a good brand for a rad? They seem to do one that is 650x420x32. Many of the rads on sale seem to only be 23mm thick.

I reckon I'm looking at around £700-800 just in parts, plus the cost of flush and regas, and my time to DIY fit the new bits.

P.S. I just checked the pulley/clutch engaging an disengaging with the a/c on/off, so assuming that is ok.

 

[g60stu]

VAG don't make compressors, so a ball ache of cross referencing lies ahead of you to find the OEM,
The parts numbers will be made as fiendishly awkward as possible to prevent this.
Example. A master cylinder for a Ferrari Testarossa? Expensive? Oh yes! and it's the same as the one in my Leon.

One day I'll be on Mastermind. And your specialist subject is....? .... SEAT Leon part numbers

 

[Nathan penney]

One day I'll be on Mastermind. And your specialist subject is....? .... SEAT Leon part numbers

 

[andylong]

If you are just changing the compressor you'll need that and some washers/seals for anything you disconnect.
A tin of gas and connector doesn't cost much. Regassing should be done by a proper shop really, they will squirt something down the lines to clear them.
There may not be debris in the lines tho, as if you have no gas in the system the compressor
However see what a specialist would charge to put a new compressor in etc.

 

[g60stu]

Ok. I’ve just gone on a beer induced spending spree. I’ve just ordered a compressor, condenser and radiator for a reasonable price.

I still need to order a new radiator switch and a few orings and and a/c expansion valve but might go main dealer for these.

This is progress. Just remember - there is no car problem that can’t be solved by a credit card.
A/c flush still remains a sticking point - a specialist wants 250+VAT.