Repairing the zeds air-con

Discussion in 'Non Technical' started by RENZED, Oct 13, 2009.

  1. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    Hey all,
    I'm planning on getting my zeds air-con fixed after many years of complaints in the heat lol..

    Pretty much I went and got a quote a few years ago, and the bloke reckons that the entire system has holes throughout it :(..and said a quote of around $1000 give or take...

    So was just wondering, what parts do I need to order? Or should I just leave it for them to sort out?

    I also read that it's recommended to go from the R12 to R134a conversion..and if I remember correctly because the R12 gas is illegal or bad for the environment or something...

    Just wanted to know, what is involved with fixing up the system, I assume its a dash out job? Can anyone in the VIC region do this themselves? I'd prefer to pay a forum member then some random guy...
     
  2. Altered State

    Altered State Z Tragic

    I have the same problem had a local air con guy look at it and he said the same dollars and more started to look grey and distant when asked if he could do it. The engine bay is not inviting. The older gas is illegal now and unobtainable according to the guy. For now its window down and evening crusing, If you getserious try DONTEX in vermont they are the only people I have found with the courage and a clue on how to fix a 300. Outside most of the guys in the forum who have a huge knowledge base and good advice.
     
  3. kbro3

    kbro3 Baby oil technician.

    If the major hurdle of fixing air con is getting the dash out, then definitely try doing it yourself or host a tech day. Getting dash out is fairly easy, just takes a bit of time.

    The old refrigerant is illegal due to eating the ozone as far as I know.

    -Kirill
     
  4. Chrispy

    Chrispy Pretentious Upstart

    It all depends on what's wrong Renee. Have you still got the quote? The dash doesn't have to be removed to get access to the aircon box, but it does make it easier.
     
  5. MikeZ32

    MikeZ32 das Über member

    if it's not leaking from the aircon box then you won't need to pull the dash right?
     
  6. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    He didn't actually write up a quote..it was more a verbal thing..it was that long ago now that I really can't remember much about it..he must have went to re-gas the system and found holes everywhere..

    I wanted to get this done before BERRI, but Craig suggested I book in after it, just in case he breaks things...but either way if its a dash out thing..we will remove the dash ourselves..
     
  7. IANZX

    IANZX New Member

    To be honest. depends who you took the car to - "alot of mechanics, see the Z as a way to make some $$$" so true diagnostic is overlooked. i learnt that one...

    best thing is go get the system pressure test charged with dye. they will find the leak - if any, in no time
    If your changing from R12 to R134a, wich is now standard, your compressor "may" have to be updated.
     
  8. Chrispy

    Chrispy Pretentious Upstart

    Nah, the compressors are fine in the Zed, but the oil has to be changed along with a couple of other little things. There was a big thread about it a couple of weeks ago.
     
  9. K-zed

    K-zed Secret Squirrel

    Dye test will provide an idea of what's needed.

    DIY dash out and acquisition of good 2nd hand parts could save much of the labour cost involved in a repairing the system.

    You'll need to have faith in the air-con techy to guide you.
     
  10. pexzed

    pexzed Forum Administrator

    Firstly, go to a reputable shop, they'll put a small amount of gas in the system and some fluorescent dye and test the operation of the A/C (see if it gets cold), and the dye should show any leaks. They may also test with a gas analyser for the presence of leaking gas.

    The airbox (Containing the evaporator and the tx valve) does not require a dash removal.
    It comes out through the glovebox area (I've had this done already)

    If that assembly is leaking (test with a gas analyser) then obtain a good known working s/hand unit. I'd say they rarely actually leak, but the tx valve (regulates the gas flow through the evaporator) can get blocked/and seize.
    If the compressor seal is leaking I really suggest a complete rebuild, costs around $650, but should last another umpteen years as opposed to trying 2nd hand.
    Also many of the O-Rings throughout the system will be dry and perished, especially if the system has not been circulating gas/oil for a while, you should get those replaced too.
    If the condenser (in front of the radiator) has a leak a s/hand unit would likely be OK, although smaller more efficient units are now available new. I'm unsure on price though.
    You will need a new receiver, dryer too, they are about $110.
    I can recommend a good place here in QLD, but that's no good for you :rolleyes:
     
    RENZED likes this.
  11. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    Thanks for all the comments..will probably book in with someone else compared to the guy I went to last time and get them to run the dye test and see if they say there is holes through the whole system...will then get a rough quote again...and then get it booked in for repairs..can't stand being in a black zed + humidity..if it was just frigging hot and a cool breeze I could live without the repair lol..
     
  12. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    Well finally got around to booking the zed in, been too busy..

    She's booked in tomorrow at Natrad to get the air-con system pressure tested with nitrogen. So will be interesting to see what they say. As long as they can fix it is all I care about...
     
  13. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    Well Natrad reckon that it's only leaking O-Rings and there are no holes in the system:confused:...that's not what the other place told me..

    Total will be ~$168 to replace the O-rings, re-gas the system and for the dye test they did. This sounds reasonable right?

    I'm just hoping that they aren't doing the dodgy, and telling me there isn't any holes so I pay for the re-gas and then have to come back to get the whole system replaced...but then again..wouldn't they just say there was holes through the whole system first:confused:...

    They said they were gonna re-gas the system with another gas that has R134a in it. Will post up further details after I pick her up at 4pm.
     
  14. Chrispy

    Chrispy Pretentious Upstart

    Price seems quite good to me :)

    I will be jealous of your working air con :( It's 38 here today :(
     
  15. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    Well..that's if it does work, gonna test it out..will let ya know shortly..

    ..and 38..bugger that lol
     
  16. pexzed

    pexzed Forum Administrator

    That sounds wierd

    I suspect they'll either use R134a or a hydrocarbon equivalent.
    http://www.hychill.com.au/
     
  17. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    Well, I've given it a good testing...went for a drive around town.

    Seems pretty cold, not ICE cold..but pretty damn cold..so I'm happy with that, now the test to see if it will cope on a 40degree day and not a lovely 30degree day like today..AND to see if it lasts for more then a month...considering the other place said there were holes through all the system.

    Talked to the guy and he said they used a gas called SP34E and that they replaced a couple of O-rings one near the compressor and some valve? They weren't to specific on it. But it mustn't have been too hard to get to since they only had the zed for 3 hours and managed to do the dye test, change the O-rings and re-gas the system.

    Well I hope to god that the first shop was just trying to rip me off by saying it had holes through the system..cause for $165 I've got my aircon working again :D (slightly annoyed considering it could have been working for the 5-years I've owned it :mad:..but ahh well, managed to save myself $1000 from the full repair :D)

    Nb: Just did a bit of a read-up on google..
    Seems the SP34E refrigerant is an alternative to the R12 gas as it is compatible with most oils, compressors and systems
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2009
  18. Stufarny

    Stufarny Stuart

    Renae,

    Who was the "OTHER GUY"?, I was going to get my zed re-gassed, although it is still working ok, it has some air in the system which I can see through the inspection window.
    I dont want to go through the same routine as you have.
    You can send me a PM if you dont want to mention their name here.
    Thanks
    Stu
     
  19. RENZED

    RENZED Girl in the black beast

    PM sent..
     
  20. Madcow

    Madcow Active Member



    Thats cheap, i paid 185 for gas only. mine is a '94 and a134 was standard. when the engine was out we did the aircon O-rings then. i cleaned out the condenser and cleaned out the box all while i had the engine out 12 months ago.
    If you are planning to pull the radiator out i would see if you can get some compressed air thru the condenser and see if that makes it any cooler, other than that it might just be the gas?
     

Share This Page