Replacing A/C Compressor

JefferiesFarnol · 12th August 2022, 14:33

Hello Chaps,

This isn't so much a request for help (though I appreciate any advice) but more just to share what I'm doing. I've got the whole front of the car off today ready to do the main work tomorrow.

Here are some pictures:

You can see where my radiator was leaking and worn out, I've got a new one to replace it with:

This is the state of my compressor, see the dye all over it!

This pipe is also leaking from a point where I think it has rubbed against the bonnet liner, I'll have to find something to protect the new one.

I can see that this pipe connecting the compressor and the condenser has a little bit of dye on it; the condenser was changed by my garage a while ago but since I haven't got a new pipe for this, I'm not sure how much I can do about it, would it be worth taking it off and changing the o ring? I can't believe the garage would have used the old one but you never know, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

SD1too · 14th August 2022, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefferiesFarnol

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Hi Hector,

Some years ago I was in the same position as you are with my non-Rover car; dye all over the place and principally affecting the compressor. The best diagnostic technique is a low pressure nitrogen test. This immediately found the leak on two separate occasions; the first time it was a manufacturing fault on the compressor hose connection (not the 'O' ring seal) and the second time it was the shaft seal.

If you can get a mobile specialist around to your house to do a nitrogen test you'll save a lot of time and effort.

Simon

JefferiesFarnol · 14th August 2022, 18:13

When I had the A/C man come out before to gas it and add the dye, the first thing he did was a nitrogen test, I thought it had to be done so that leaking systems weren't just being blindly charged up.
Anyway, it showed no leaks at that point so I think it was only with the compressor running at pressure that it sent out all the gas - it doesn't matter now though as I've got a nice new one.

He's coming back soon to hopefully re-gas it as long as all is well and I am sure he will do a nitrogen test again as a matter of course.

12th August 2022, 14:33	#1
JefferiesFarnol Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Canterbury Posts: 166 Thanks: 64 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts	Replacing A/C Compressor Hello Chaps, This isn't so much a request for help (though I appreciate any advice) but more just to share what I'm doing. I've got the whole front of the car off today ready to do the main work tomorrow. Here are some pictures: You can see where my radiator was leaking and worn out, I've got a new one to replace it with: This is the state of my compressor, see the dye all over it! This pipe is also leaking from a point where I think it has rubbed against the bonnet liner, I'll have to find something to protect the new one. I can see that this pipe connecting the compressor and the condenser has a little bit of dye on it; the condenser was changed by my garage a while ago but since I haven't got a new pipe for this, I'm not sure how much I can do about it, would it be worth taking it off and changing the o ring? I can't believe the garage would have used the old one but you never know, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

14th August 2022, 18:13	#3
JefferiesFarnol Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Canterbury Posts: 166 Thanks: 64 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts	When I had the A/C man come out before to gas it and add the dye, the first thing he did was a nitrogen test, I thought it had to be done so that leaking systems weren't just being blindly charged up. Anyway, it showed no leaks at that point so I think it was only with the compressor running at pressure that it sent out all the gas - it doesn't matter now though as I've got a nice new one. He's coming back soon to hopefully re-gas it as long as all is well and I am sure he will do a nitrogen test again as a matter of course.