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[jonny2112]

As you know I had my aircon recharged in May at my local Vx. I thought there was an improvement, but alas in the last couple of weeks I realised that the air was as cold with 'ECO' on as with it off 
Anyway, made an appointment for today with the service department in the event that there had in fact been an issue. Turns out the initial check and recharge only tests for leaks, etc. but not for pressure, and the 'pressure valve' on top of the pipe is failing, and therefore the system is not holding pressure so not functionning properly.
Not sure if this makes sense, and a pic may be beneficial to show the valve I'm talking about.
The bottom line would be a £280 bill from Vx, though they advised to just put the windows down 

Anyway, after all that my question is this - if one of our friendly breakers had the offending item, is it something that could be fitted at home, or as it is part of the aircon system would it need to be left to a 'dealer'?

Cheers 

[Victor Meldrew]

Hi Jonny, sorry to hear you're having trouble with the air con.  Seems I was right to fear Ballyrobert's prices!  I still haven't got round to getting mine looked at because of the damned Ulster Bank, not received my wages yet!  When I get my money I was going to try Greenway Auto Electrics just of the Beersbridge Road, Belfast http://www.greenawayelectrics.co.uk/ they claim to be air con specialists, might be of interest to you.

[jonny2112]

Cheers Maurice, bit gutted tbh. Be interesting to see how you get on 
Oh, and sorry about the bank thing. What a nightmare!

[jonny2112]

- if one of our friendly breakers had the offending item, is it something that could be fitted at home, or as it is part of the aircon system would it need to be left to a 'dealer'?

Cheers 

Any more thoughts folks?
Cheers 

[mantahatch]

"pressure valve" not 100% sure which you mean, but if it is the valve which tells the system that it has pressure and so can turn the compressor on then I would have thought you could get one from a breaker on here.

If it is the fill or evacuate valve leaking they can be changed but I know there are at least a couple of different ones. And one fitted only for about a year MY1999 from memory.

HTH

[jonny2112]

Sorry, I forgot to add a pic which would have made things easier 

By way of description, its the small black valve which is on the top of the thin diameter metal tube which runs across the front of the engine bay, just behind the rad, slightly to the passenger side. I think!

Too dark now for photos, but I'll have a quick trawl through the maintenance guides for a suitable image 

[jonny2112]

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/jonny2112/photo-2.jpg[/img]]

It's the small black valve thingy, to the right of the 'Good Year' on the rubber hose 

[Dishevelled Den]

Is that not the Schrader type valve that is replaceable - screw out, screw in job?  I saw details of this on here before, there was even a part number if I recall rightly.

Is this the same boy?

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?action=print;num=1271538263

[jonny2112]

Sounds good Den, keep talking!
I haven't tinkered with it yet, so worth a try 

[jonny2112]

Cheers Den 
Looks like the job! Even a part number - you're a star!
I'll try Vaux first, and failing that, the breakers 

[Andy B]

Cheers Den 
Looks like the job! Even a part number - you're a star!
I'll try Vaux first, and failing that, the breakers 

You might find the part number if you trawl the site, it's here somewhere. Failing that I'll search my garage when I get home tonight. You need a 15 mm socket for the valve but use a 17mm to support the boss it screws into otherwise it'll snap .................... won't it Jammie! 
Don't be surprised if the dealer tells you that the valve is part of the pipework - he's wrong. 

[mantahatch]

But do remember there is at least 2 different ones.

[jonny2112]

But do remember there is at least 2 different ones.

Cheers for that. I have a part number from a previous thread, so hopefully the dealer will keep me right 

[jonny2112]

Should have asked too - if I can get the valve sorted, does the system need regassed again?

[Dishevelled Den]

I would think so J. 

I would also be inclined to head over to that place on the Beersbridge Road VM mentioned where they'll do a vacuum out, pressure and dye test. 

I's possible they would also have the valve/s in stock, so it may be worth your while to give them a call first to save you ballicking about with the dealer.