Discomaz
Member Since: 23 Feb 2016
Location: East tilbury, Essex
Posts: 59
 
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evening all
I took my D3 in for a re-gas this morning only to come back to a estimate for £440 for a new condenser as it is leaking!
still had to pay the £40 re-gas even though I was told it will be gone by tonight as it a bad leak! 
now I know 440 may not be bad price but I was thinking of changing this myself.
has anyone developed a step by step guide for this?
can it be done on my driveway or does it need to go on a ramp?
also do I need any specialist gear for gas that may be in the system? but may be all gone by now 
over to you guys
 MY54 D3 TDV6 SE
Side steps
20" 2013 RR vogue alloys
so far.........
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 7th May 2016 8:18 pm |
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Barn1e
D3 Decade
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
 
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I changed mine by loosening the rad and laying it back towards the engine to make room. There is a guide on here (possibly Mikey or Bodsey) that dismantled the front of car to make room, If I had to do it again I would use that method. 2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
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| 7th May 2016 8:29 pm |
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Discomaz
Member Since: 23 Feb 2016
Location: East tilbury, Essex
Posts: 59
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thanks for the link disco_mikey. that makes it a bit less scary
i'll wait a few weeks for the gas to get lower then 
if there is some in there will it blow out as I loosen the bolts holding the pipes? will it be a a big rush of gas?  MY54 D3 TDV6 SE
Side steps
20" 2013 RR vogue alloys
so far.........
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| 7th May 2016 9:51 pm |
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segrub
Member Since: 12 Apr 2015
Location: CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Posts: 32
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If you had your air con charged professionally with them knowing you had a leak they are breaking the law. It is illegal to charge a system with a known leak and everybody these days has to be licences ed to work with refrigeration.They should have been able to find condenser leak with nitrogen and not charged system.Its very important if doing the job yourself to keep as much moisture and dirt out of the pipes as possible straightforward job.
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| 7th May 2016 10:00 pm |
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Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
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Although the results fo diagnosis will be similar, if a leak of the air con system is suspected it should be tested with nitrogen not refrigerant . It is an offence to knowingly fill a leaking system with r134a . The system should not be deliberately vented to atmosphere . You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
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| 7th May 2016 10:07 pm |
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Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
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 Must type faster  You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
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| 7th May 2016 10:08 pm |
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segrub
Member Since: 12 Apr 2015
Location: CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Posts: 32
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Glad we had the same thoughts
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| 8th May 2016 7:31 pm |
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Bobbybulls
Member Since: 24 Apr 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 63
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Was told I had a leak in my condenser a couple of years ago and never bothered to invest in replacing. Seeing the guide suspect I can complete myself. With it being out of use for so long is just replacing that part then regassing going to do the trick or will there be other work that needs to be addressed?
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| 8th May 2016 7:42 pm |
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segrub
Member Since: 12 Apr 2015
Location: CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Posts: 32
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If your refrigerant charge has been out for that long,best practice would be to change the dehydrator drier as well.However as long as it has long enough on vac you will probably be fine.You will know if you have any moisture left in system as will work ok then appear to stop working but start working again after being left off for a while.
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| 8th May 2016 8:19 pm |
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Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
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There is a possibility that you may find leaks elsewhere or the system is saturated with moisture if it has been open to atmosphere . you won't really know until late you charge the system with nitrogen and check the integrity of the system .personally I would fit the condensor and give it a go You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
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| 8th May 2016 8:19 pm |
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JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
 
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segrub wrote:If your refrigerant charge has been out for that long,best practice would be to change the dehydrator drier as well.However as long as it has long enough on vac you will probably be fine.You will know if you have any moisture left in system as will work ok then appear to stop working but start working again after being left off for a while.
The drier comes as part of the condenser assembly.
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| 9th May 2016 8:31 am |
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markthegad
Member Since: 06 Sep 2009
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 636
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Done mine myself, there is a guide on the forum somewhere
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| 9th May 2016 8:10 pm |
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markthegad
Member Since: 06 Sep 2009
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 636
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Almost sure I got the condenser from advanced factors
http://www.advancedfactors.co.uk
Last edited by markthegad on 10th May 2016 7:08 am. Edited 1 time in total
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| 9th May 2016 8:13 pm |
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