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[SR-71 Blackbird]

Hi guys,

The air con is not working in the car anymore. I have not used it for several months but now it doesn't blow cold. The shiny metal pipes that used to be cold under the bonnet are not and the fans in front of the radiator are not working either. Is it true that the system leaks naturally over time or is this rubbish and only a fault causes a leak?

Also is there any fuse or electrical connection that could be at fault as I can check that myself. I don't want to have it filled up and then find its not working a year later due to a real fault. Thoughts please and what are the chances that it is low refrigerant and then also a sudden leak or failure?

Thanks

[Andy B]

....
Is it true that the system leaks naturally over time or  .....

Yes! And as your car is 12/13 yrs old, lack of refrigerant is likely to be the cause. The reason for lack of gas could also be a rotted condenser due to 12/13 yrs worth of salt spray from the road. 

[SR-71 Blackbird]

Hi Andy, Just checking that there isn't anything really simple to check regarding its electrics e.g a fuse or something like that.
 So even if there were not faults and the system was perfect would the gas leak out anyway because there is rubber in the system and over time the gas can permeate through this and be lost to the atmosphere?

Thanks

[Hannah Judes Dad]

Nothing much electrical to check as the clutch won't engage if there is not enough refrigerant(saves the compressor)

[Stallion]

Agree with HJD, if the comp aint turning then you know there is definitely no/very little gas in the system. could look up a good ac company that would do the full whack with dye, vacum test etc. 

[RobG]

Agree with HJD, if the comp aint turning then you know there is definitely no/very little gas in the system. could look up a good ac company that would do the full whack with dye, vacum test etc. 

Not necessarily true. Rule out a knackered compressor by putting 12v direct to the terminals, if it engages then it`s likely to be low gas

[Stallion]

Fair enough! 

[SR-71 Blackbird]

Hi RobG,

I will try this, do you have a picture that explains where the terminals are on the compressor?

Thanks

[tport]

The other way to test is to take the top off and manually close the relay K60 (carefully) with a screwdriver.  This will put 12v across the compressor but bypasses the pressure switch so you don't want to do it for long.