The aircon threads I've look at, seem quite old. When I first got the car, there was gas in it, but no aircon. That turned out to be the wire to the clutch on the compressor which had fatigued and snapped with engine movement. Once fixed it worked (sort-of!) last Summer with a bit of help from one of those top-up cans of refrigerant. Now I see it's not working again and there's not much pressure in the system, so it's probably fair to say I have a leak.

I also need to change the temperature sensor for the FBH (which came on even when I started up at 15 degrees the other day)! I'm therefore wondering, while I have the front bumper off for the FBH temperature sensor, whether I should also change the aircon condenser?

Does anyone have any advice / experience of FL1 aircon systems that they'd be willing to share? In particular, is the condenser the most likely source of the leak? If I buy a condenser, is the receiver dryer part of the same assembly? Do they just use standard o-ring fittings? (I have a box of assorted O rings suitable for R 134a systems).

The topup valve can leak; afraid that leaking valve is the extent of my AC experience, but my gararge did say it was a simple fix/replacement.

There are 2 o rings at the joints down by the end of the gearbox alongside the radiator. These leaked on mine. Get the system regased with a small amount of dye in then the leak will show up with uv light. It will be impossible to find a leak without a tracer dye.

Thanks guys. Yes, I'd take it to a proper place with the right gear, but can't really justify it during lockdown. I was wondering about having a go myself, but probably worth waiting.