air con leak

I just had the car down to Halfords and asked them to pressure test the air-con (which wasn't cool), they put in some gas and we noticed it seemed to be leaking back out of the nipple where the gas was put in, any idea if the valve can be changed?, also, is it true that the compressor only cuts in when there is sufficient gas in the system, I can't hear mine come in when ac is selected, thanks

The compressor shouldn't operate when the gas drops below a certain pressure to prevent damaging the system - you may jave just enough for it to work. Valves are replacable but go to a specialist AC - I thought this was where mine was leaking but the specialist I contacted said it was normal to get a bit of 'blow back' when the gassing pipes are removed - hence some green dye in the valve covers. £49 Kwik-Fit re-gas is your best bet - if they can't get it to drop in temp by a certain amount - no fee :thumb: try this and then work from here - condensor will be the likley culprit if there is a problem

Thanks for the reponse, good information. It's deifintely the low side valve leaking, you can see and hear the gas/lubricant spitting out. The Kwik fit price is good, but I've sourced some kit off the internet which is better still and can be re-used, thanks

just got my ac recharge kit and tried it out. It cost 30 quid and I got 2 cans of refrigerant and a hose/gauge assembly, it only took one can to recharge the system so I've got 1 spare. Extra can are 10 quid. Kit was easy to use and air is really cold again, simples.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350094981263&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I'd go to kwik fit....in fact I did yesterday and all is now well with my air con. Also, the ebay ad doesn't mention whether it contains the lubricating oil (or whatever oil it is).

Got mine tested the other day and it's leaking. It's leaking so much, they say that they should be able to hear it and think its coming from under the car all hidden inside. They need to look for it, it sounds expensive.. It isn't quickfit, it is place that deals with nothing but radiators. Are there any common places to look? What is the going labout charge per hour i should be looking at for paying? If anyone has had this problem, id love to hear back.

It will either be your condensor which (if like my 993) will be in the front wing and normally corrodes dues to ingress of crap through the front vents. If not this then its the evaporator situated in the middle of the car (993 its aft of the fuel tank behind the firewall - kettle engine may be different). The good news is the parts are not too expensive (less than £200 for each). Bad news is the evaporator swap will cost £££ in labour if they need to take out fuel tank, firewall etc to get to it! Condensor is an easy DIY job. Best thing to do is get the dye in it and let them diagnose exactly where the leak is. I'd prefer to go to a good Indy (not OPC = expensive) who knows how to take it apart. Sounds to me like the evaporator.

996 has two condensors one each side at the front in front of each coolant radiator. They are easily accessible once you have removed the front PU (bumper moulding)

Surely this is going to be a temporary fix given that the valve is leaking :?: So in essence you haven't solved a problem and the kit you have bought may not contain the lubricating oil so potentially another problem is round the corner.................. Sometimes the cheapest solutions are not the best. In your case I would have bought a new valve (easy to get from an AC specialist) replaced it when being gassed by an approved AC garage (and I include Kwik-Fit here)