Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Markie on 07 October 2006, 19:56:58

Title: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Markie on 07 October 2006, 19:56:58
Sore back and imminent arrival of the wife home ( to a messy house) means i have just given up for the night.

Got the CDX in garage now and removed a fair bit in prep for engine removal etc.

Have just removed the radiator after draining coolant.

Now trying to remove the two front fans and air con unit/radiator......problem is i cant work out how to remove it from the pipes.

The only thing i can see is by releasing the 13mm bolt n the small unit below.......its kind of middle of pic ( i did mark it in red ink on ms paint but its hardly visable  :-/

is this the way to go ?

(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/markiec23/aircon.jpg)
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Markie on 07 October 2006, 20:03:51
oh, and here is how she currently sits tonight...... :-/

(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/markiec23/DSCF2574.jpg)
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Matchless on 07 October 2006, 20:11:44
The thing you circled is a connector for the a/c pipes. There should be a torx head bolt between the two pipes on the left of your pic. Loosen the bolt then separate the blocks slightly to release the refrigerant but do it carefully and wear gloves and dont smoke!
Once the refrigerant is out you can remove the bolt completely and separate the connector to remove the condensor. You must now seal all 4 ends of the refrigerant pipes to prevent airbourne moisture getting into the system, I find aluminium tape good for this or self-amalgamating tape.
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Markie on 07 October 2006, 20:13:52
Cheers Matchless your a star  ;)

luckily i dont smoke and it`ll be a gloves on job tomorrow morning  :D
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 October 2006, 20:44:24
It will be interesting to see if there is any aircon coolant left.....
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: EddieX on 07 October 2006, 21:07:50
Quote
The thing you circled is a connector for the a/c pipes. There should be a torx head bolt between the two pipes on the left of your pic. Loosen the bolt then separate the blocks slightly to release the refrigerant but do it carefully and wear gloves and dont smoke!

I have been told by a rather unreliable source that refrigerant doesn't burn or explode BUT if you suck it in through a lit cigarette, it turns into something like the gas used in the 1st world war. :o
Is this true?
If it is, everybody on this forum should be warned.

Eddie.
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Markie on 07 October 2006, 21:27:54
Quote
It will be interesting to see if there is any aircon coolant left.....


whats your thinking here Mark, anything ese i should do before this stage? :)
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: RonaldMcBurger on 07 October 2006, 21:48:02
Don't forget the two 8mm bolts holding the front of the rad to the brackets at the top. Undo those after the torx bolt and spluitting the unions, then  twist the rad from the drivers side back first then this will make getting the rad/condensor out in one piece.
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 08 October 2006, 08:25:26
Quote
Quote
It will be interesting to see if there is any aircon coolant left.....


whats your thinking here Mark, anything ese i should do before this stage? :)

No but, it might meen you have a good condenser which are a common failure thanks to all the salt we get on out roads...
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Markie on 08 October 2006, 08:59:33
Quote
Quote
Quote
It will be interesting to see if there is any aircon coolant left.....


whats your thinking here Mark, anything ese i should do before this stage? :)

No but, it might meen you have a good condenser which are a common failure thanks to all the salt we get on out roads...

fingers crossed  ;)
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Andy B on 08 October 2006, 14:35:31
Quote
I have been told by a rather unreliable source that refrigerant doesn't burn or explode BUT if you suck it in through a lit cigarette, it turns into something like the gas used in the 1st world war. :o
Is this true?
If it is, everybody on this forum should be warned.

Eddie.
Phosgene gas. Certainly true of the old R12 type regrigerants but I don't know if it applies to the newer ozone friendly R134a that's in an Omega.
Just give up smoking!  ;) (while you're playing with the A/C circuit)
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 October 2006, 09:17:07
Quote
I have been told by a rather unreliable source that refrigerant doesn't burn or explode BUT if you suck it in through a lit cigarette, it turns into something like the gas used in the 1st world war. :o
Is this true?
If it is, everybody on this forum should be warned.

Eddie.

Doesn't sound any more dangerous than normal with smoking.

Spend it on fuel instead!
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: richaber on 09 October 2006, 16:37:52
Hi Markie, I have to change the air con condensor on mine because of the salt corrosion that MarkDTM referred to. Thanks for that pic, hopefully I can recognise the pipes on the Vauxhall parts computer now. I need to replace the o rings in that union you correctly identified as the point to disconnect the condensor. Please let us know how you get on and if you find the part numbers your self.
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: Markie on 09 October 2006, 16:42:26
Yes will let you know the part numbers

Wee bit scared to continue this now... :o

lol seriously normal emplyed work dictates i havent gone any further - oh that and her indoors and her demands  :-X
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: richaber on 10 October 2006, 21:31:53
The part numbers I went with for the 2 orings in the union for the condenser were 90508320 and 90508321. They'll be here on Thursday, will probly do it on weekend, will let u know if they are the right ones.... :-/
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: richaber on 15 October 2006, 17:46:33
 :( tut, they weren't the correct o rings so I just took a chance and reused the old ones. hope the second hand condensor is ok... It definately doesn't show the signs of corrosion and collapse of my old one. If anyone does have a need for those orings I mentioned, I have 5 of each ::), cheap to a good home. Back to the aircon man this week for another go at charging it...
Title: Re: Project CDX Air Con / Fan / Radiator Removal
Post by: richaber on 20 October 2006, 18:24:29
I know that you'll all be thrilled to hear that the regas was successful and the air con is working just in time for winter.... Just the exhaust and timing belt and rusty doors to do now....