My air con does not seem to do anything - so I'd like to check it myself (as far as I can) before going to get it looked at by a mechanic - I rang the previous owner to ask if they had maybe disabled it but they say they never used it as they were told it "used too much fuel" and they just opened the roof and windows - now I'm heading to a car show tomorrow and I know its dusty out there and would like it to work (my local Halfords can check and re-gas it if needs be) so is there a basic "to-do" list first? like fuse or belts? I suppose I should read the manual but I usually like to ask other owners first in case it's something silly and I go up to Halfords and they tell me the belts been removed (or something equally as daft)

best left to the experts ....if the a/c has never been used then theres the possibility that the seals have dried up so unless you are very lucky it might be an expensive repair.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Might just need a gas recharge. If they've never used it, as Stan says, the seals might have gone off, but a quick trip to KwikFit for a recharge might do the job. if the seals are OK, job's a good 'un, if not you may have to investigate further.

Does it blow air at all? Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Wherever you go ask them to do a leak test as recharging with a leak will only mean losing the gas. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Unfortunately, the idiots that owned it did you a diservice. Like Stan said, the seals are likely to have dried out, the coolant (and lubrication) gone so if you try to run it (for a while) it is likely to do some damage.

On my 4.2 (that had been sitting in a yard for 2 years in Nigerian heat) that is what happened. After a year of use the system failed (although I should have filled first before doing anything else) and I had it replaced.

My suggestion is, fill first and see if it works. If not, go to a specialist and find out what is wrong. If you are very lucky, it is just a refill and the seals are OK. If not, it will be empty soon and then you can look at having the seals replaced or the compressor replaced. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Proper A/C people will leak test first before adding any gas  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

If the gas has leaked out, then the compressor clutch will be disabled by the pressure switch, so running it like it shouldn't do any damage.

No harm in checking the fuses though, it might just be a blown fuse.

Presumably you got it cheaper because the AC wasn't working?

Needs testing with ofn first.

Steve You remind me of a young me, not much younger mind, perhaps even a little older!

kwik fit can do a vacuum test on it and a pressure test to see if there is any gas in the system, and whether there is a leak.

It could be a few reasons it doesn't work:

No gas - bad leak with a hole in the condenser etc
No gas - seals gone bad through under use
fuse
compressor
compressor clutch not engaging

start with a garage or outlet with a proper re-gas system which will put a negative pressure into the system, to check for leaks, if they find some they will then put a UV tracer into the system to locate where it is seeping out, this will tell you what the problem is and how to fix it.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Cheers - Just found out local garage has the kit to test and recharge etc so will leave it with them - hopefully its something simple

Hi Brian,

Mine packed up recently after not being particularly impressive last time I used it last year.

Main dealer said the compressor wasn't running and that it 'could' be the gas / liquid ratio gone off or something more serious.

Main dealer £90 to squirt some gas in there or £49 for Halfords to purge / test and refill.

A couple of hours on Halfords' machine has it icy cold now with a UV trace in case there is a small leak somewhere.

Happy days!


Cheers





Clive