Air Conditioning Condense

Barry1000 · January 8, 2015

I've just had my Lexus ls430 serviced at Lexus and they have said that the air conditioning system is releasing gases into the atmosphere and it needs a new condenser at a price of £800 fitted. Does this sound right as it works perfectly and does not appear to loose fluid? Is there any way I can check this?

Thanks

Barry

Maduggo · January 8, 2015

You could get it checked by an independent to verify the leak. Just don't tell them about a leak to see if they pick it up, if they don't then ask if it's leaking to be sure.

If it is leaking then you have to stop it as these gasses are harmful to the environment.

alien1974 · January 8, 2015

And the wallet

harrylime · January 8, 2015

If your air con stops working, then clearly it is losing gas. You can also check by buying a UV torch off eBay for a couple of quid. When mine was regassed they also used a dye that fluoresces under UV light. I can see where mine is losing gas (it was regassed twice at Kwikfit)

My independent mechanic is switched on when it comes to car air con systems and he reckons that it can be resolved by changing seals. The O rings deteriorate apparently, it's just an age related thing

scythe · January 8, 2015

First thing, don't panic. The refrigerant gas used these days is no long a CFC - those were the gases that remove ozone from the upper atmosphere.

I've had issues with main dealers (Volvo, not Lexus) in the past with a leaking air conditioning system. They concluded that because they could hear bubbling noises from the evaporator (which is normal) then there must be leaking going on. No check with ultraviolet. I knew they were wrong, and took it to a specialist, who checked with ultraviolet, and sorted out the real leak very quickly, including vacuuming the system before refilling.

There is some lubricant in with the refrigerant. This is absorbed by the O rings in the system, and this keeps the joints tight. That's why, even if you don't use air con in the winter, five minutes use every month is a good thing.

Incidentally, using air con in the winter dries out the inside of your car, and keeps it that way. I recommend it. : o )

Good luck.

ambermarine · January 8, 2015

The condensor as no moving parts it is unlikely to have failed and as a couple of members have said it is probably a leak at one of the ports,that will require removal and replacement of the o rings and a refill of refrigerant, but it won't be £800 thats for sure.

Titch LS · January 10, 2015

Barry, Lexus dealers are not air-con specialists and I very much doubt there's anything wrong with the condenser itself. Most likely to be a leak at a joint or 'O' ring. If you havn't put a hole in it you won't need a new one at £800 a pop. I would take it to an A/C place for a proper leak test using a dye (won't cost much) and not rely on a dealer's expensive guess. At Lexus, you could replace the condenser and still find you've got the leak.

39buss · January 13, 2015

This is the state the 'O' rings can get so maybe time for new ones

39buss · January 13, 2015

Another view of the 'O' rings. The small bolts holding the pipe unions will be pigs to undo so plenty of Plus Gas before attempting the job. In my experience Kwik fit dont repair A/C systems, they will only re-charge. As stated earlier, the new refridgerant has lube and ultra violet added to see any leaks and oil the working parts as well as the seals. The system must be vacuumed dry so no moisture remains to freeze and block the pipes.

Bluesman · January 13, 2015

First thing, don't panic. The refrigerant gas used these days is no long a CFC - those were the gases that remove ozone from the upper atmosphere.

I've had issues with main dealers (Volvo, not Lexus) in the past with a leaking air conditioning system. They concluded that because they could hear bubbling noises from the evaporator (which is normal) then there must be leaking going on. No check with ultraviolet. I knew they were wrong, and took it to a specialist, who checked with ultraviolet, and sorted out the real leak very quickly, including vacuuming the system before refilling.

There is some lubricant in with the refrigerant. This is absorbed by the O rings in the system, and this keeps the joints tight. That's why, even if you don't use air con in the winter, five minutes use every month is a good thing.

Incidentally, using air con in the winter dries out the inside of your car, and keeps it that way. I recommend it. : o )

Good luck.

Mine is left on all the time. Mike.

cruisermark · January 13, 2015

mine too

alien1974 · January 13, 2015

same here as it makes little if any difference to fuel consumption i think, also its a false economy not using it

Mybikes a cx500 · January 13, 2015

Up here in Glasgow, I tend to use it more for demisting, but the other day, the air con "switch" on the touch display came on black in colour, and not working, switching the engine off and on cleared it, wonder what it was?

alien1974 · January 13, 2015

i think the a/c stops working below 0C

scythe · January 13, 2015

Yes, I leave mine on all the time too. The temperature it refuses to come on below is about 7 degrees, I think, rather than zero. It's to stop condensation freezing inside the condenser, and causing mischief. Though I had an early Volvo with air conditioning, that, if you fiddled with the controls in the right way could be made to blow a load of 'snow' into the car on a humid day. Gave the kids a laugh! <wg>

royoftherovers · January 13, 2015

Mine has been left on for the 16 months I`ve had the 450h and for the 12 Years I`ve had the E class !

Regards

John

alien1974 · January 13, 2015

Yes, I leave mine on all the time too. The temperature it refuses to come on below is about 7 degrees, I think, rather than zero. It's to stop condensation freezing inside the condenser, and causing mischief. Though I had an early Volvo with air conditioning, that, if you fiddled with the controls in the right way could be made to blow a load of 'snow' into the car on a humid day. Gave the kids a laugh! <wg>

sorry i meant around 0c according to the owners manual

Mybikes a cx500 · January 13, 2015

Yes, I leave mine on all the time too. The temperature it refuses to come on below is about 7 degrees, I think, rather than zero. It's to stop condensation freezing inside the condenser, and causing mischief. Though I had an early Volvo with air conditioning, that, if you fiddled with the controls in the right way could be made to blow a load of 'snow' into the car on a humid day. Gave the kids a laugh! <wg>

That would be it. then it was 3 degrees

Barry1000 · January 14, 2015

Thank you for your replies I am going to take it an air con specialist on Friday to check it out and get a second opinion. I really would like to be able to trust the dealer, they have been right about everything else to do with the car, but £800 is a lot so it is best to be sure. I will let you know what happens

Barry

Colin M · January 14, 2015

Barry

It is a good idea to get it checked out by an air con specialist. Good luck with your visit on Friday and I hope you get a definitive diagnosis of the problem at a much cheaper price.

Colin

Barry1000 · January 16, 2015

Hi Chaps

I went to the air conditioning specialist today. They said there was nothing wrong with the system. There are no leaks and furthermore they checked for leaks with the ultra violet light and said that there no die was contained in the fluid as if there was it would glow lime green through the inspection glass- which it didn't. They checked the cooling effect and found it to be working very effectively. They advised me to leave well alone and suggested that the garage must have been fishing!

The problem I now have is that I don't trust the Lexus dealer. I received a customer satisfaction call which I missed from their head office asking me if all was ok. The dilemma is do I move my business although there is not another near Lexus dealer or do I complain to either them or their head office. My concern is that if I do even if I win this incident which I think is unlikely and the will most likely just lie their way out, what will they come up with next. Until now the garage has been excellent and I have had 5 services there so far and have a service plan.

Any ideas as to what I should do?

Barry

hihihi · January 17, 2015

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Bluesman · January 17, 2015

Hi Chaps

I went to the air conditioning specialist today. They said there was nothing wrong with the system. There are no leaks and furthermore they checked for leaks with the ultra violet light and said that there no die was contained in the fluid as if there was it would glow lime green through the inspection glass- which it didn't. They checked the cooling effect and found it to be working very effectively. They advised me to leave well alone and suggested that the garage must have been fishing!

The problem I now have is that I don't trust the Lexus dealer. I received a customer satisfaction call which I missed from their head office asking me if all was ok. The dilemma is do I move my business although there is not another near Lexus dealer or do I complain to either them or their head office. My concern is that if I do even if I win this incident which I think is unlikely and the will most likely just lie their way out, what will they come up with next. Until now the garage has been excellent and I have had 5 services there so far and have a service plan.

Any ideas as to what I should do?

Barry

I would very politely show them the facts and explain your confidence in them has taken a nose dive after 5 years of excellent service, would they like to investigate what went wrong for them to reach the conclusion they gave you. Remember to be friendly and polite all the way through and just see what happens. Mike.