Air Con - Vectra

Discussion in 'Vectra' started by Bob .-.-., Jun 20, 2005.

  1. Bob .-.-.

    Bob .-.-. Guest

    Hi All
    I have a Vectra on a '51 plate with air con. Sorry that should read "HAD"
    air con.
    Yes right at the critical time the air con seems not to work. I usually run
    it regularly as I was told it must be run at least 15-20 mins a week for the
    system to hold its charge.
    How do I diagnose the problem?
    If there is no gas in the system the compressor can't compress it - so it
    wont ( I think) pull the engine down on tickover when switched on - and it
    doesn't.
    Where does the gas go? - Do I have a leak or does the gas just
    "disappear?" - How do I know?
    I have heard it said that the compressor is a favourite to fail and it VERY
    expensive to replace - discussions with other Vx owners indicates that the
    local Vx Main Dealer has tried to fit clutch packs to the compressor (other
    customers) and failed miserably on several occasions - is this normal?
    This is the first car I have had with air con - and may be the last - it
    "seems" rather unreliable and VERY expensive especially for the limited
    summer we get in the UK.
    I might just have to put up with "rep's elbow" but proper air con would be
    nice.
    Any ideas please, group?
    Thanks
    Bob .-.-.
     
    Bob .-.-., Jun 20, 2005
    #1
  2. Bob .-.-.

    me140 Guest

    If you have been running it every week as should be done then I would guess
    you have a leak.
    Compressors do fail but it isn't that common a problem. I have fitted lots
    of clutch packs with no problems. To check your compressor is easy - unplug
    the multi plug from it and connect a test light to it - one side is live one
    is earth. Start the car and turn on ac. If it lights up comp clutch has
    probably gone. If it doesn't use the test light to see if you have lost the
    earth or live. If you have lost the earth it will probably be the fan
    switch or the wire from it to the compressor has broken.
    There are a lots of non Vauxhall garages that have ac leak testing
    equipment - have a ring around.
    You didn't say what engine size your Vec is but 2.2 petrols break the pipe
    off on the top of the engine at the back with the big bulge in it and 1.8's
    have a problem with the pipe to the compressor leaking behind the silver
    corrugated covering.
    Hope some of this helps.
     
    me140, Jun 20, 2005
    #2
  3. Bob .-.-.

    Bob .-.-. Guest

    Hi
    Thanks for your suggestions....... sorry I forgot to add that it's a 2.2
    Petrol, so I'll be having a look at the pipe you mention and have a look at
    the local "re-gassers" at the weekend.
    Thanks again - keep you posted as I know more.
    Cheerio for now
    Bob .-.-.
     
    Bob .-.-., Jun 22, 2005
    #3
  4. Bob .-.-.

    me140 Guest

    Put a pipe on a 2.2 yesterday. Put your fingers under neath it where the
    bulge is and if it is oily then the pipe has split. If you get a new one
    make sure they fit a bracket to it to stop it going again.
     
    me140, Jun 22, 2005
    #4
  5. Bob .-.-.

    Bob .-.-. Guest

    Hello again
    That's great thanks. I did some phoning around today and found the Vx
    dealer reasonably helpful, but most expensive - although the nearest was a
    bit vague and lead me to think in terms of the "open cheque book" syndrome!
    I did, however, find an agricultural dealer in rural Lincolnshire who would
    recharge with dye & diagnose & recover gas if leaky for the princely sum of
    £57.50 + VAT They also provide you with the diagnosis - a quote for repair
    (parts) and labour too if required. Seems like the best option Opinions
    please?..........
    BTW Vx dealer, uncertain of which pipe it might be was £47.40 + VAT for each
    of two pipes which he didn't stock because they don't break and £65.50 for a
    third pipe which he did stock because he had had a call for some. (80+ GBP
    + VAT to regas parts & labour on top)!!
    Next .... away to check the pipe as described - thanks for the tip.
    Catch you later
    Regards
    Bob .-.-.
     
    Bob .-.-., Jun 22, 2005
    #5
  6. Bob .-.-.

    russnlee Guest

    hi
    got a vauxhall vectra sri 150 2.2,havent had air-con for about a year and
    half,so thought because of weather to go and get it regassed,garage looked
    at it,guess what.the pipe with the bulge in it ,has snapped from the one
    which comes round the side from front,car is a jan 2002,so hes looking into
    if he should do it for free because they knew there was a underlying problem
    with vectras air-con before the warranty ran out.anybody had similiar
    experiences.
    russell
     
    russnlee, Jun 22, 2005
    #6
  7. Bob .-.-.

    Simon Coombs Guest

    Just a thought..........are any faults with air con reported by the ECU?

    Simon
     
    Simon Coombs, Jul 16, 2005
    #7
  8. Bob .-.-.

    Bob .-.-. Guest

    Result.......
    Due to a nut being left off the securing bracket for the [expensive] air con
    pipe, by the Vx dealer when they did a clutch change and other works on the
    car the [expensive] air con pipe failed again - big crack across 1/2 dia of
    pipe underneath - good result tho!
    Went to a local independent garage who did the job - charged full vx price
    for the pipe + £10 for fitting + £45 for re-gassing and system check - now -
    it's one hell of a fridge!
    ......... Oh and one further thing ......
    the fuel return line from the injector rail was not properly tightened by
    the vx dealer either we could both "waggle" it by hand - tightened on
    completion of other job.
    Spot on to the independent garage. Use a vx dealer if you dare.
    Regards
    Bob
     
    Bob .-.-., Jul 16, 2005
    #8
  9. Bob .-.-.

    Mike Dodd Guest

    Might be worth mentioning the town, good recommendations are hard to find.
     
    Mike Dodd, Jul 17, 2005
    #9
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