Auto Gear Box, AC and coolant problems 1997 4.6 HSE

Hi Guys, Newbie here,.. I have thru about 90 pages of threads hoping to find a solution to my problems but so g far no luck so i hope somebody out there can help. Background I have a P38 4.6 HSE, 1997 Registered import from the UK into Indonesia1 although from the paperwork it was manufactured in sept 1996, (just in case that makes a difference) . I bought it 3 years ago with 46,000km on the clock and gave it a big service before i drove it to Bali, where it is now, it's one of a bout 3 on the whole island and consequently no dealer or really good garage to service it. it has 58000 km on the clock now I have had trouble with the aircon for the last 2 years and had to get a mechanic down from Jakarta (twice) to change out almost the whole AC system, new compressor new pressure switches, new piping etc and it still playing up, it worked after a while then the book comes up on the front control panel,.. sometimes it gets cold other times like now a little bit cold and then this week not cold at all, in all I have spent US$ 1700 so far on the AC and still not good, with temperatures here in the high 30oC 's I really need it to work any suggestions on what to do. Since last week I have started getting a "Gear Box Fault" message coming on and at the same time I loose the kick down, I checked the gear box oil and topped it up but still the same,. the oil is still a nice red color and was changed at 52k,..this message and subsequent loss of the kick down only happens when the car heats up and not when 1st started but it is happening more often, any clues or suggestion would be highly appreciated. I have also started to loose coolant and am having to top up 1 to 2 litres a day,.. I have checked the garage floor in the morning but it's dry so don't know where it is going to,.. the top hose to the radiator also seems to have no water in it (passing thru it) when engine running as when I squeeze it, it is very soft,. help me here please chaps. The car isn't run every day, as I only go over to Bali about twice a month so it isn't run hard,.. Any suggestions, help assistance would be greatly appreciated,.. anybody who wants to come out and fix it can have free use of my villa on the beach cheers Bali Bob

I often get a gearbox fault when the battery is low. Coolant could be the O rings to the heater. Aircon is obviously loosing gas pressure so you need someone who knows how to fing the leak by putting a dye in the gas that can be detected with a sniffer, try someone different to that other chap? It probably the condenser that is leaking, I.m on my second.

Hi,

I have had similar AC faults with mine in Dubai. My book is always on something about mixing not sure, However i have often found the problem to be the Relay connection coming loose (Relay box behind battery), just a thought. As for gas leaks if you can, buy a top up can from ebay with a gauge fitted, top up until gauge is green, then if the problem comes back use the gauge to see if it has lost gas.
Another problem with AC is the hose connections no matter how much you tighten them gas will always find a way out. A thich mixture of washing up liquid and water about 4 to 1, paste it onto each joint and turn the AC on if it is leaking bubbles will slowly form. you can also try this over the length of the hose, as old one also leak, that pesky fridge gas will find a way.

As for you water loss you could be burning it, check the colour of the exhaust gas even slightly white could be an indication of early head gasket failure. Dip the oil and check that it also is not white.

Good luck.
Emoltte.

many thanx guys fir your suggestions, I will try them all out and post the results

cheers
Bob