[Shambles]

I'm anticipating a problem here...

Just had a new aircon condensor assembly fitted (warranty). The condensor fits to a rubber gromit system attached to the radiator mount at the left, as you lean into the engine bay from the front.. Yes it all looks shiny and new.

However while inspecting the new bits, I was aware of a mild hissing noise coming from around the horn, near the coolant and brake fluid fillers. It may amount to nothing as I've not had the bonnet open after an hours drive with the aircon freezing my nuts before.

Has anyone else experienced this sound? Sure I'll go out and check again when it's all cooled down, as it was only an hour ago that I arrived home and the engine bay is still at BBQ temperature.

[eye30]

Not leaking water is it?

or

hoses attached to condenser not fully tight?

[Shambles]

Well if anythings loose it's their fault  

No liquid anywhere and the sound is definitely around the feed & return pipes, nowhere near the area where they've been working on. You never know though.


Here's what was changed (from the tip of the top arrow to the tip of the bottom arrow)





And here's where the hissing is loudest (yes, it's still hissing)





I guess I'll know tomorrow if something's amiss... 

[eye30]

Does the air con work OK?

Looking at the pics and the hissing it looks as if the system is leaking.

Get the RAC out tonight, it's a nice night - sunny and bright, and ask them to look at as you don't want to breakdown on the M/way on your way to work in the morning.

To make sure they come out, as you don't know what it is, it may be safety related.

[Shambles]

Nah the footy's on now

I'll check the aircon tomorrow.

If the aircon's leaking it'll not stop me getting to work, but it will make me very angry 

[Lorian]

My fridge hisses when the compressor has been running a while even when it's then switched off. I think its the expansion valve. Its possible its woking well I guess, but I havent really studied the anatomy of the aircon in the i30.

[Myowni30]

Are you sure its not the rad expansion tank cap.

[Shambles]

My fridge hisses when the compressor has been running a while even when it's then switched off. I think its the expansion valve. Its possible its woking well I guess, but I havent really studied the anatomy of the aircon in the i30.

Good thinking.

Are you sure its not the rad expansion tank cap.

Not too sure; sound seems to be below the tank. Just been out to check and the hissing is quieter, but still there, but the engine bloc is also still hot.


Thanks for the ideas - I'll check when cold tomorrow before I set off, and again when I arrive at work (40+ miles, using aircon)

[Dazzler]

Hope it's a false alarm Steve 

[bumpkin]

Update

[Shambles]

It sure chilled me on the ride in, but then again the air was already chilly, so I'm not absolutely certain, but I think it's ok. No hissing this morning when I got to work (didn't check before I set off)

Will know tonight for sure, as it's turning into a scorcher here in sunny Blackpool

[agentr31]

OMFG... clean your engine bay... then you will be able to tell if its that thats playing up...

with aircon systems they usually leak the oil thats in there at the same time, so an easy way to tell is look for oil around joins and connectors!! and some times they put a flourescent dye in there so if you find a black light you shine it over the joins and if it "glows" then its probably leaking

[Shambles]

Well I can safely say I have no air conditioning

If I could hear the leak why couldn't they

[eye30]

Well I can safely say I have no air conditioning

If I could hear the leak why couldn't they

I would have expected that they would have done a pressure test to confirm all joints had been sealed after the repair. 
But again..................

I'm not a betting man (person) but I bet they say something along the lines of:
- well the techi was called away to an emergency and then completely forgot about checking the car before you collected.

Have a right go at them and see if you can get a free service

[bumpkin]

 

That is poor service Steve, time to kick ass methinks!

[Shambles]

^-- yeah I'm gonna reject the car




Oh, hang on....

[eye30]

^-- yeah I'm gonna reject the car




Oh, hang on....

Reject the air con and buy 1 of those small fridges you can plug into the cig lighter.

Leave the door open and hey presto cool air.

[Shambles]

Smart arse

[Dazzler]

See you STILL haven't introduced a pale lemon colour into your avatar palate... (would insert whistling smiley here if I had one) 

[Myowni30]

Well I can safely say I have no air conditioning

If I could hear the leak why couldn't they

Have you called them to see what they say 

[Shambles]

I'm gonna give it a week then visit them, not call. I'll be speaking with the oily rag this time and show him where the hissing could be heard, when there was gas in the system.

[eye30]

I'm gonna give it a week then visit them, not call. I'll be speaking with the oily rag this time and show him where the hissing could be heard, when there was gas in the system.

Aren't you finding it a little bit hot in the car these past few days?

[Shambles]

Aren't you finding it a little bit hot in the car these past few days?

Yup

[eye30]

Aren't you finding it a little bit hot in the car these past few days?

Yup

Well get back and get them to sort it pronto ......................

[Shambles]

Well get back and get them to sort it pronto ......................

Strangely enough, I had the aircon set on all the way back tonight (44 miles) and after around 10 mins the air had started to cool right down. I guess even fresh air, when compressed and put through a dryer and evaporator, gets cooled eventually but it still wasn't the icebox that I expect.

No, I'll leave it a while. That'll give my letter a chance to reach them.

[Dazzler]

If that happened to us the wife would take a "hissy" fit 

[agentr31]

I guess even fresh air, when compressed and put through a dryer and evaporator, gets cooled eventually but it still wasn't the icebox that I expect.

shouldnt... in the system there is a preassure switch... if there isnt enough pressure then the compressor wont cut in... its probably on the threshold of not working

take it back now...

[2i30s]

i bet if you were a UK taxi driver, the mechanic would have fixed it right the first time. 

[Shambles]

Can't take her in this week as there's too much footie on the telly. Can't be waiting around at the dealership when it's time for home ...

[2i30s]

you've still got 3 years warranty left,that's a lot of footy.