Freelander 1 Air con, is it working or not.

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1997 Discovery

1997 Discovery

Active Member
Posts
539
Location
Near Worthing, West Sussex, UK
Hello All,

Still getting used to our Freelander, only had it nearly 6 months now :)

When the heater/cooler fan is turned on as normal, nothing seems to really happen when the air con button is switched on. No change of sound of fans or engine note (when idling), the light on the air con button comes on though, and both the belts are not that old as had them replaced.

Is it just a case of having the Freelander re-gassed, or is it something else. I was told that when the air con is switched on, I should be able to hear a click in the engine bay, my hearing is not great but I can not hear anything over the sound of the engine.

Any thoughts would be great, as it be nice to have the windows de-misted faster in the winter.

Many Thanks
 
1997 Discovery said:
Hello All,

Still getting used to our Freelander, only had it nearly 6 months now :)

When the heater/cooler fan is turned on as normal, nothing seems to really happen when the air con button is switched on. No change of sound of fans or engine note (when idling), the light on the air con button comes on though, and both the belts are not that old as had them replaced.

Is it just a case of having the Freelander re-gassed, or is it something else. I was told that when the air con is switched on, I should be able to hear a click in the engine bay, my hearing is not great but I can not hear anything over the sound of the engine.

Any thoughts would be great, as it be nice to have the windows de-misted faster in the winter.

Many Thanks
Click to expand...

The "click" in the engine bay you are referring to is the compressor clutch engaging, normally accompanied with a change in engine revs.

However, if your system is low on gas pressure, the compressor will not engage, as the pressure is monitored.

I suggest you take it to a competent garage with a/c capabilities who will do a leak test and NOT waste gas by filling a system if it has a leak.

I would also suggest that, when it is all working well, make a point of running the a/c on a regular basis (minimum once per week for 15 minutes) as the refrigerant gas also contains oil, which keeps the system lubricated AS WELL AS ensuring the various seals around the system don't dry out and cause a leak.
 
Just had the following reply from a company called National AirCon, that come out to you rather going to them which be nice.

We offer a mobile service to regas your cars AC system, the cost includes
a nitrogen test, Oil for the compressor, Dye added, and the Refrigerant.
Total cost £65.00 + vat.

I have also seen that Kwik Fit do a re-charge service for £49.00, which includes checking for leaks to.

Any thoughts or feedback from either of these or are that as good as the rest, prices seems reasonable.
 
The best way forward is to select a service where they will not charge you if the system cannot hold a vacuum during the testing phase of the job. In other words, if the system actually has a leak. That way you're not wasting money putting fresh gas into a leaky system which will dump the contents in a couple of days or so.
 
At a guess then the National AirCon may be better at doing this, as I would of thought as they specialise in the air con systems, they would have common sense to go with it... hopefully :)

I give them a call and let you all know how I get on.
 
Good idea. I remember tha Halfords had a fixed price air con deal running last year whereby if the system failed the vacuum test, they wouldn't charge you. So maybe asking if National AirCon offer the same or similar deal with regards holding a vacuum should be on your list of questions
 
Hello, you are right.

Just been on to the Halfords Autocentre webpage, and they do free air con checks.

The recharge is only £49 to.

And for an extra £10 they do an antibacterial clean to, so that sounds like even better option. :)
 
If you have a local branch of ATS they could be worth a visit. I just checked online and they do recharge etc for £29.99
 
Just to update everyone, - took it to ATS in the end, as their customer service I felt was better than Halfords.

After do a leak test in the system as the air con level was very low, it turns out that it lost 0.3Bar of pressure in just 20 minutes. due to this they are unable to refill it.

So question time please,

1. Is this a major leak, as it was only in 20 minutes, I have seen these leak fix kits you can buy made by STP, but they are for small leaks only.
2. Is there a common area where they leak or could it be.....anywhere and everywhere.
3. Depending on the answers of these questions, could it be a DIY job to repair the leak, and then have ATS re-gas the system, as they do not leak repairs.
4. Or is it really a job for a land rover specialist to sort the leak and, maybe re-gas if they do that.

Thank you all
 
The most common place for a leak is the pipe across the front under the radiator, it's a high pressure one(if I remember rightly) and gets jiggled about alot. You can get some gas with coloured dye in it that you pump through and it should show you where the leak is. The other common thing is for the aircon radiator to spring a leak. If I remember it's the smaller one of the three. There are mobile Aircon services that will come to you and find the fault if you don't mind paying, around £90 I believe. Mike
 
As you have no pressure in the system it's relatively safe. But you do need the correct tools to re-crimp the pipe fittings if you take them off. If you are at all unsure, you'd be better off leaving it to the professionals, that aircon gas is nasty stuff. Mike
 
another area for loosing air con gas is on the bulk head where the pipes go into the car on that junction there are 2 washers they do not cost a lot once you have the air con up and running you must uses it for 10 minuets a week at least or the gas depletes.
 
the problem with these quick fit,ats etc places is that if the system wont hold its vac proving it is leaking they dont charge you but they dont find where the leak is!!
i do air con repairs,im a specialist,i do a proper pressure test with nitrogen gas on an empty system and i find out where its leaking from then quote you for repairs,i charge you 25 quid for this,if you have me repair it then i knock the 25 quid off the bill,if you chose to repair it yourself or get someone else to repair it then ive made 25 quid for an hours work..and im mobile so i come to your house to do this.i charge 50 quid for a regas if you are local.....you need to find a specialist...these ats..halfords places plug yoiur car into their machine then go and do some other job till their machine bleeps to tell them its done.
i get a lot of work from people who go to these places and get turned away because there is a fault or leak,these places only want the easy regas money....not interested if it means spending any time on the job...
 
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