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[cleggy]

I have just got the car back from a regas £54.

The Leak Dye shows a leak present from the Lower Pressure Pipe on the N/S Front Wing.

The estimate to replace this pipe is as follows:-

LABOUR
4.5 hours, £168, involving removal of Battery and Tray, with Fuse Box to enable access.
PARTS
A/C pipe £60, O Rings/Oil Seals £6.50, Sundries £1.75, these are on a week to 10 day back order
TOTAL
With VAT £283.50 including a free Regas.

My first reaction was BLOODY HELL, but thinking about it I don't suppose it's really that bad.

BUT, and this is the BUT, this is subject to the A/C coming apart. Apparently the problem is where the aluminum pipe connects to a cast fitting, this frequently breaks, resulting a  Dash Board removal to gain access to replace the cast fitting. The labour cost is then nearly double.
However the Technician told me he often uses a leak additive from Germany which is successful in 9 out of 10 cases which costs £60, and if it works will require an annual regas.

I am going for the additive option as a first port of call, then decide what to do if it fails

What would you do? Do you think the prices seem reasonable?  What is your experience of the pipe removing successfully, and have you used the leak additive.

Of course if the additive doesn't slow the leak I could always not use the CC, but that defeats the point of having it

CHEERS
Dave   
 

[cleggy]

45 views, and no responses
I take it that no one has experienced this problem or used the additive. I will keep you informed of the results, and progress

[feeutfo]

Sure I posted on this... But the short if it was, can the pipe be welded? In situ? Or is it rubber/inaccessible/likely to fry electrical components ?
Saw an ally one being welded but it was off the car, and exceptionally thin poor quality alloy off a Mitsubishi 4x4.

Just a thought. No personal experience what so ever with this issue.

[albitz]

That pipe is a pig to remove in my experience. I dont see why it should break though. :-/
I know Darth Loo-knee was selling A/C pipes recently, including that one, for not much money.
He may even know an easier way of taking theold one off.
I didnt remove the battery tray or fusebox, but I did remove the ABS ECU to get it out, although the ECU was coming off the car regardless. :-/

[amba]

From my previous experiences with issues with C/C itusually ends up costing lots of money as whilst the smaller parts are not too pricey they are a problem to remove and end up cotsting a lot in labour.Bigger bits like compressors and condensers are more expensive but just seem to require less work to replace.

Bottom line if it was me would be to opt for the cheapest course first and see if it solves your problems .Whilst a working C/C is very pleasant I am sure most of us can remember driving long before this was an option so its no big deal really to just drop the window a bit.

Saying that on the last bit of work I had done on my C/C it was found a seal on the pressure release valve had gone and that is burried well behind the glove box.Ended up taking several hours to replace just for a 2p rubber washer so as said cheapest option first.

I have had no experience of the leak stuff you mentioned but got to be worth a shot imho.

[Lazydocker]

I'm slightly concerned that this place is saying that it might only last a year... I thought it was now a criminal offence to fill an Air Con system that is known to be leaking :-/ :-/

Something about saving the planet IIRC

[2woody]

do you want the pipe ? I'm sure I'll have spares.

I do need to know exactly which one it is tho. (for instance, you mentioned battery tray and near-side. Of course, the battery tray is on hte off-side)

[Andy B]

....(for instance, you mentioned battery tray and near-side. Of course, the battery tray is on hte off-side)

You need to go & pop the bonnet on one of your Omegas and look. 

[2woody]

I would do, but the "airconectomy" is usually the first job I do on any Omega. I have six currently, not one has aircon left. I do have a canny pile of spare pipes, tho

[Lazydocker]

I would do, but the "airconectomy" is usually the first job I do on any Omega. I have six currently, not one has aircon left. I do have a canny pile of spare pipes, tho

Think he was referring to the battery tray... It's on the N/S on our cars

[Andy B]

I would do, but the "airconectomy" is usually the first job I do on any Omega. I have six currently, not one has aircon left. I do have a canny pile of spare pipes, tho

Think he was referring to the battery tray... It's on the N/S on our cars

 

[tport]

I have also got a leak on the low pressure side next to the refill valve.  Is this the same pipe as yours?  The leak is slow, however, so I'm hoping that the refrigerant will last the summer.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1303676769/3#3

[cleggy]

I have also got a leak on the low pressure side next to the refill valve.  Is this the same pipe as yours?  The leak is slow, however, so I'm hoping that the refrigerant will last the summer.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1303676769/3#3

I believe that this is the same pipe, and mine is leaking at the other end. The plan at the moment is to use the additive , and see how it goes. Hopefully it will last the summer, and I will regas it then. Will have to see how it goes. If replacing the pipe was simple then that would be the prefered option even at the existing quote. The trouble is that it seems to be a pig, and can require further parts, and expensive labour cost removing the Dashboard to gain access

[tport]

Let me know if you have any success as I'm local to Nottingham and am willing to try out a quick fix before spending big money.  Where is the aircon service place you are using?

[cleggy]

Let me know if you have any success as I'm local to Nottingham and am willing to try out a quick fix before spending big money.  Where is the aircon service place you are using?

I will post the results, but obviosly in make some time ( I HOPE)
I use N.P. Byrne Garages Ltd, Pasture Road Stapleford.
I have only used them for Air Con, but my next door neighbour has used them for everything for years, and always gives them praise. In fact the father handed the business on to his son, and the old man still works part time.