Dear All - This is my first post so please go gently with me! Any help greatly appreciated.
About 9 months ago I purchased a 2001 Defender TD5 110 County which I am very much enjoying driving.
However, I don't believe the air conditioning has ever worked properly. It seemed to work for a few minutes, with quite cool air coming out, and then I would hear a hissing noise and the air turned warm.
With the weather turning warmer I decided to try to get the aircon working. I was advised by my local landrover expert that the symptoms meant the aircon needed recharging. I attempted to get this done by Qwikfit, but their machine diagnosed a leak. A few days afterwards, a whining / whirring noise came from the engine area, which rose and fell with engine revs.
This has now been diagnosed by the same landrover expert as the aircon pump having failed, and that it must be replaced or the vehicle will not be driveable. The cost is £650 to replace the pump and recharge the aircon; then extra cost if this does not solve the problem and there is still a leak.
This is a great deal of money for me so I'm keen to get a second opinion or two.
First question - doe the diagnosis sound right given the symptoms?
Second question - do I really have to replace the aircon pump to ensure the vehicle continues to run? If so why?
Many thanks!
About 9 months ago I purchased a 2001 Defender TD5 110 County which I am very much enjoying driving.
However, I don't believe the air conditioning has ever worked properly. It seemed to work for a few minutes, with quite cool air coming out, and then I would hear a hissing noise and the air turned warm.
With the weather turning warmer I decided to try to get the aircon working. I was advised by my local landrover expert that the symptoms meant the aircon needed recharging. I attempted to get this done by Qwikfit, but their machine diagnosed a leak. A few days afterwards, a whining / whirring noise came from the engine area, which rose and fell with engine revs.
This has now been diagnosed by the same landrover expert as the aircon pump having failed, and that it must be replaced or the vehicle will not be driveable. The cost is £650 to replace the pump and recharge the aircon; then extra cost if this does not solve the problem and there is still a leak.
This is a great deal of money for me so I'm keen to get a second opinion or two.
First question - doe the diagnosis sound right given the symptoms?
Second question - do I really have to replace the aircon pump to ensure the vehicle continues to run? If so why?
Many thanks!