Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: markomega25 on 09 September 2013, 20:51:57
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Hi,
After finally getting my 2.5 V6 Elite facelift (year 2000) working again after 3 months, I decided to get the Air Con working as it has not worked for some time. Checked the compressor today and it was not kicking in on low on the panel (without Econ on), so I suspected low or no gas and/or a leak.
Well, took it to Kwik Fit today (they were local and I wanted to get it done today if possible). Connected to their machine and underwent the pressure testing. The Evacuation cycle got virtually no gas out (so the system was empty). Turns out the valve on the Low Pressure connection (on the top pipe running from bulkhead alongside the plenum chamber) is leaking. The Kwik Fit chap went and got a tool to tighten the valve but after trying said it was already tight. No Charge, but at least I know where the leak is (the machine must have put some gas in the system as I could see the gas spurting out the valve).
My question, can the valve be replaced on its own or will it need a whole new section of pipe?
I'm not so worried about it now the weather has changed but would like to know if this is an easy fix.
Thanks.
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Yes, it is a standard tyre valve which is approximately 50p. I have just replaced this valve on my car and now the aircon is working fine again.
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You mean to say that you got out of Qwik Fit without being shafted? Blimey :o
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Thanks Jukeboxnut,
So it's a Schrader tyre valve insert - I would not have guessed that. I have the little tool that unscrews the core from the body of the tyre valve (one on the end of my old tyre pressure gauge - hope its long enough). As my air con system is empty I will get a new one from a tyre shop and swap over.
Yes ronnyd, no charge - it is part of their guarantee if they can't fill it and get it working. At least I now know where the leak is.
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and the other fill valve is also replaceable on its own ..... despite the experts telling you the whole pipe need replacing ;) ;)
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and the other fill valve is also replaceable on its own ..... despite the experts telling you the whole pipe need replacing ;) ;)
Thanks, I meant to ask if the High Pressure valve insert is the same. Would it be best to replace that as well at the same time or leave well alone (could the high pressure side still have some in it even though the low pressure side is empty?).
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High pressure valve is different, but both are readily available :y
Just to add, the HP valve is an odd size, but will undo easily enough with an adjustable spanner. The LP one will undo, but needs lifting out with a thin pair of long nose pliers once it stops unscrewing :y
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and the other fill valve is also replaceable on its own ..... despite the experts telling you the whole pipe need replacing ;) ;)
Thanks, I meant to ask if the High Pressure valve insert is the same. Would it be best to replace that as well at the same time or leave well alone (could the high pressure side still have some in it even though the low pressure side is empty?).
It's not the same at the LP valve. It's only a few quid, so as & when the system is empty, it wouldn't be a bad idea to change it. I'll try & find the part number .....
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http://oldsite.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1311186687/0
52458177 part number as given by Andy C .......... so it's definitely correct :y
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Great thanks for the info guys.
I will get in touch with my VX dealer and see if they have one in stock and set about doing it have to be this weekend now.
Will let you know if VX say the HP valve is not listed (as per the experience of the poster in the thread linked above).
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Great thanks for the info guys.
I will get in touch with my VX dealer and see if they have one in stock and set about doing it have to be this weekend now.
Will let you know if VX say the HP valve is not listed (as per the experience of the poster in the thread linked above).
Make sure you support the boss that's welded to the pipe while you unscrew the valve ....... otherwise it stands a good chance of shearing (doesn't it Jamie ::)) :y :y
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Went to my local VX dealer yesterday. They have part number 52458177 on their list, costs about £6.80p but, none available anywhere in Europe. The parts guy said try a scrap yard! When I asked what they would do if I took the car into them for repair he had no answer! Typical. So for the moment I will leave the HP valve alone as that was not leaking.
Also asked whilst there about the LP valve - they will sell one for £3.81p. I walked out.
Good news is I went to my local tyre dealer and after having a laugh, he gave me 3 schrader valve inserts - free of charge (he did agree though that they were probably the right valve for the AC). So I will try to get that done this weekend and get the system re-filled. I might go to a different Kwik Fit this time so if there is another leak then I won't get charged again (they will remember me at the first one).
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... none available anywhere in Europe. ...
I'd not want to call him a liar ::) ::) but I find that hard to believe considering it's not just fitted to Omegas ...... I know it's the same valve fitted to an Astra G so there must be plenty of other models fitted with it.
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If you can't get the HP valve, just remove the old one and clean it with brake cleaner. :y
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... none available anywhere in Europe. ...
I'd not want to call him a liar ::) ::) but I find that hard to believe considering it's not just fitted to Omegas ...... I know it's the same valve fitted to an Astra G so there must be plenty of other models fitted with it.
Bought one a month ago ish :-\ next day availability no issues at all ::)
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Check the part number. As i bought mine 2 months ago £4.77 + on TC.
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Up-date.
I did not get round to looking at the system this weekend, but it is working!
Had to go out in the car this morning, running in Eco mode. Got home turned off Eco mode and low and behold, it worked and the system is putting out pretty cold air now.
I can only imagine that the machine at Kwik Fit had filled the system and it was when the guy took the filler pipes off the leak from the LP valve was only temporary and it sealed itself. Not sure how long for though.
Will check it over the next few drives, but if it continues to work then I have got away with a free re-charge!
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Hi All,
Just so I've got this right then ???, Just had my system re-gassed but was told the LP valve was leaking slightly too :(. The guy said that it would indeed need the whole pipe replacing to fix it and for the cost of doing that job it'd be cheaper to keep re gassing it every year ??? .
So we're saying that a valve I can get from my local tyre fitter will do the job perfectly ?
Cheers
Ian.
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Hi All,
Just so I've got this right then ???, Just had my system re-gassed but was told the LP valve was leaking slightly too :(. The guy said that it would indeed need the whole pipe replacing to fix it and for the cost of doing that job it'd be cheaper to keep re gassing it every year ??? .
So we're saying that a valve I can get from my local tyre fitter will do the job perfectly ?
Cheers
Ian.
Is this the valve at the front of the car? If so, he's talking out of his bum like most other a/c 'experts'. The valve is available on its own .... it unscrews from the pipe - 15 mm socket & support the boss with a 17 mm spanner so you don't shear the boss off the pipe. The valve is about a £fiver
If it's the other on top of the engine, then it comes out just like your tyre's shrader valve ... not sure if they're interchangeable though .... ie can the seal withstand the PAG oil? :-\
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First thread in the maintenance guides. :)
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Hi Andy,
It's the one that is parallel to the nearside cylinder bank on the pipe that goes under the bulkhead. Low pressure valve he called it - I think the 1st thread in the guide is for the HP one.
I think I'm convinced enough anyway that it certainly doesn't need a whole new pipe though :y
As always - thanks for the assistance. Will see how long the re gas lasts for before I start looking for the bit I need.
Cheers
Ian.
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Hi Andy,
It's the one that is parallel to the nearside cylinder bank on the pipe that goes under the bulkhead. Low pressure valve he called it - I think the 1st thread in the guide is for the HP one.
I think I'm convinced enough anyway that it certainly doesn't need a whole new pipe though :y
As always - thanks for the assistance. Will see how long the re gas lasts for before I start looking for the bit I need.
Cheers
Ian.
It's just like that in a tyre then & easily removed . :y
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This reminds me I need to get my High Pressure valve sorted. But I can confirm that a Schrader tyre valve fits the Low Pressure valve. Note Wikipedia acknowledges that Schrader valves are used in all sorts of systems including AC.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrader_valve
Unfortunately my High Pressure valve is now leaking so I need one of those. Having had past problems with my local Vauxhall dealer who said none were available, I googled the part number (52458177) and this place in Kent (link below) are selling some "new" for £5.00. £4.00 postage though but saves the hassle of me having to shout till blue in the face at the VX person.
http://sandpmotors.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=621
(Note I have no affiliation with this company, simply found them by googling the part number hope it helps others).
Mark
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http://oldsite.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1311186687/0
52458177 part number as given by Andy C .......... so it's definitely correct :y
Yep :y. Replaced my HP one and LP one before new condenser. Worth doing for peice of mind.