V50 AC : Air Con Compressor clicking on and off every few seconds

[GaryB1984]

Hello

I have a 2011, 1.6D edrive V50. Just had my aircon regassed a few weeks back, now the aircon doesn't work.

The compressor keeps on clicking on and off repeatedly, on for 2 seconds off for 2 seconds, and doesn't get particularly cold.

I've looked at the clutch itself, it is of a different style to those ive seen so wont let me do the "ghetto fix" but I want check it was definitely this before I have to cross the bridge of taking it apart.

Ive checked the fuses and relays, and they are all fine.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by GaryB1984

Hello

I have a 2011, 1.6D edrive V50. Just had my aircon regassed a few weeks back, now the aircon doesn't work.

The compressor keeps on clicking on and off repeatedly, on for 2 seconds off for 2 seconds, and doesn't get particularly cold.

I've looked at the clutch itself, it is of a different style to those ive seen so wont let me do the "ghetto fix" but I want check it was definitely this before I have to cross the bridge of taking it apart.

Ive checked the fuses and relays, and they are all fine.

Any help would be much appreciated.

A classic symptom of low gas pressure , 90% chance it's a corroded Condenser.
Didn't he do the Mandatory pressure/leak test when he filled the system a few weeks ago?

[GaryB1984]

Originally Posted by Clan

A classic symptom of low gas pressure , 90% chance it's a corroded Condenser.
Didn't he do the Mandatory pressure/leak test when he filled the system a few weeks ago?

Thanks

Taking it back to the garage that did the regas as it should have flagged up, they said the machine would flag up leaks, will let you know.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by GaryB1984

Thanks

Taking it back to the garage that did the regas as it should have flagged up, they said the machine would flag up leaks, will let you know.

From what you say he is using an old machine which only does a vacuum hold test. This is known to be unreliable as the vacuum pulls a crack closed .
Since 2010 the law has changed and a PRESSURE check at around 200 psi must be done with oxygen free Nitrogen gas, and the joints etc tested with soapy water , it wont be easy to check the condenser without taking the front bumper off .

[iainmd]

If you're on your original A/C condenser it will be a miracle if that isn't leaking and the culprit. We have a 2009 1.6D and it's on condenser number 5. Woefully badly designed system that is extremely susceptible to corrosion or stone chip damage through the front bumper. For us, it's the latter that always gets us.

If you tootle about town all the time chances are your condenser will have a longer life. A lot of motorway driving and you'd be lucky to average 2-3yrs a condenser. I've installed Halfords chavvy mesh behind the lower bumper grille now in a vain effort to avoid condenser number 6 being required.

[GaryB1984]

So, the garage took the font apart couldn't find a leak, did confess that the machine they used last time had been playing up and has been replaced, so fingers crossed its that, i still have a suspicion that its the condenser.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by iainmd

If you're on your original A/C condenser it will be a miracle if that isn't leaking and the culprit. We have a 2009 1.6D and it's on condenser number 5. Woefully badly designed system that is extremely susceptible to corrosion or stone chip damage through the front bumper. For us, it's the latter that always gets us.

If you tootle about town all the time chances are your condenser will have a longer life. A lot of motorway driving and you'd be lucky to average 2-3yrs a condenser. I've installed Halfords chavvy mesh behind the lower bumper grille now in a vain effort to avoid condenser number 6 being required.

10 years ago there was a glut of condensers failing but when replaced with one from volvo they lasted pretty well . Are the failing ones from volvo or cheap Chinese copies?

[iainmd]

The first 3 have been Volvo genuine parts. The last two weren't. Given the Volvo ones kept failing there was no reason to persevere with them. Last one was NRF and the current one is Valeo.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by iainmd

The first 3 have been Volvo genuine parts. The last two weren't. Given the Volvo ones kept failing there was no reason to persevere with them. Last one was NRF and the current one is Valeo.

so what is the common denominator , why are they leaking?

[iainmd]

In almost all cases it seems to have been stones coming through the lower front grille and striking the condenser causing the damage. That's why I've now installed mesh behind the lower front grille.

That's why I reckon that if your car is used for pottering around towns at low speed the condenser probably lasts but if a lot of the miles are at motorway speeds where stone strikes are at a much higher velocity the car is more prone to a failure due to damage.