air con testing

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ilovedmymantas
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air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

I'm having a problem getting the air con tested.
I've tried twice but the testers can't plug in. The car's a 95 so should be ok for having the later system/fluids already.
The only obvious place seems to be too small apparently

Image

can someone give me a bit more info please ?
If I have to start changeing parts first I don't think I'll bother :roll:
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

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Matt
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Robsey
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Re: air con testing

Post by Robsey »

Here is the official blurb on the connection points.

Image
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Thanks Robsey
unfortunately I don't recognise them, sorry, should have mentioned it's 95 ecotec cdx.
I've never had aircon in my cavs before now so I haven't a clue what to look for ( and neither do Halfords apparently, so I don't feel too bad ).
Do I need 2 connectors ? the only other unrecognisable one I've seen was low down behind the o/s/f wheel, looks like a 'pine cone' fitting for a hose and that seems unlikely.
I don't know if it needs some sort of adapter but surely the people doing it would know that?
I guess I just don't understand why It's such a mystery :wall
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
Tobias_CDX
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Re: air con testing

Post by Tobias_CDX »

The first connection is that you posted above. The other one is near the lower bulkhead.
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Thanks Tobias
do you have a photo of it?
I've followed as much of the rollercoaster plumbing as I could from above and the only 'unknown' I can find is this
Image
sorry about the poor pic although it is at lambda sensor level so it's pretty grubby down there anyway.
Surely that can't be it? It faces slightly forward & down so gets most of the road dirt and is really inaccessible

On the plus side while I was looking I put my reading glasses on and discovered that big white sticker on the slam panel had writing on it. AC system type R134a PAG etc. so no conversion needed :D
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Has no-one on the forum had their cav re-gassed? - surely someone :scratch
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
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Robsey
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Re: air con testing

Post by Robsey »

You probably need someone with a CDX or Diplomat.

That rules me out I'm sorry to say.
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James McGrath
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Re: air con testing

Post by James McGrath »

Robsey wrote:You probably need someone with a CDX or Diplomat.
Are you talking to me Rob?

I'm afraid the air con doesn't work on both my Diplomat and CDX.
One of those jobs I am always thinking about but never get round to doing.
T1BBST3R
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Re: air con testing

Post by T1BBST3R »

Could possibly try a vauxhalls, someone there might remember.......
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Re: air con testing

Post by Tobias_CDX »

ilovedmymantas wrote:Thanks Tobias
do you have a photo of it?
Errr, eeehmmm, not really. :D

If you follow the pipe from bulkhead to compressor on the RH side in director of travel there is a connector right at the bulkhead.
I can take pictures next week if wanted. Yeah, I think some people are waiting to see some... :D
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Re: air con testing

Post by James McGrath »

I probably should have said, I have actually had both the V6 and Diplomat tested.

I took the Diplomat to a local independent air con specialist who pressure tested it.
He still had all the right equipment for it.
The Diplomat uses the older r12 gas by the way so it has all the old connectors.

I took the V6 to HiQ garage in Maidstone, Kent.
They were able to hook it up to be pressure tested. (Not that it was tested as I found out it had a big hole in the condenser)
The V6 uses the later r134a gas with the later connectors.

See if you can find any specialist air con mechanics in your area. Normally you can find mobile ones that will come to your house.
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Thanks for the replies
I seemed to remember a total Vauxhall air-con article for a cav, I thought on this forum, and couldn't find it.
Found a version here http://docplayer.net/12182509-Keeping-c ... oning.html

The pics don't really help me but the company is less than 10 mins drive from me and still gets excellent FB reviews. Yay!
Plan is (got to prioritise)
new camshaft cover gasket, I've got a different sealant to try out.
oil & filter change + new magnetic sump plug.
Then drive 1/2 mile to see the air-con expert and find out if It's financially/logically viable to restore, bearing in mind that up here heater fixes are probably more common requirements :lol:
Although it may take a while to get a booking It will be comforting knowing my car has been checked by an expert.
Until then my only thoughts are :
It was early days for r134a and the parts bucket had loads of r12 fittings. Did they fill it with r134a through an r12 fitting?
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
Steven715
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Re: air con testing

Post by Steven715 »

Hi I don't know if you already have the answer you need but I just been out and took a couple of pictures to help you, I have a 2.0 Ecotec and the high pressure service port is under the car on the drivers side the best way to see it is stand by the offside front wheel and look down the clearing next to the break fluid reservoir and you can see the port. I have attached a couple of images to hopefully help you.
Top view from next to the reservoir Image

Next from underneath the car from near the front drivers wheel.
Image

I have left as much detail as I can in the photos to assist you if you need any more details then please let me know I will also like to look into getting mine re-gassed at some point but at the moment I'm saving up some money to get mine on the road again. :thumb
1995 (N) Cavalier 2.0 16V CDX
X20XVE Engine
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Thanks Steven,
believe it or not it's the same circled part, except mine is out of focus and capless :lol:
Halfords I've learned, use the low pressure port yet can't connect to mine so all I can assume for now is early r134a fittings were a different standard :scratch

Anyway after a few phone calls, spread over four days, I managed to snag an appointment with Brian of freezbreez, really nice guy and very busy. While we were talking he mentioned his mate was arriving soon - I realised the relevance when he arrived in a pre-facelift cd and introduced himself as the author of the article :D

Image

Brian hooked up to the low pressure port at the top.( the 3 guage set-up - proper job! ) I meant to ask about the fitting in more detail but to be honest there was a lot of talking, added to by mechanics from other units coming over and both admiring the cars and reminiscing about when you could work on engines :)
The outcome was lots of soapy bubbles at the condenser :( ( I wish they'd call it something like air-con radiator - far easier to understand imo ) so I need a new one. I'll call tomorrow to see if he's sourced one complete with a dryer as discussed.
I'll get some pics with the progress next time hopefully
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

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Matt
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

After a rash decision recently ( :cheers ) I ordered a hella condenser with drier to save a bit of money and time (might not be the only fault after all).
Thanks to Parcelforce, I shouldn't have bothered.

These are my test pics from Flickr (I hope!)

https://www.flickr.com/gp/150947621@N07/Ez0qZ8
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150947621@N07/1Vh83z
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150947621@N07/Cs9x6R

Seems all I've got is links instead of pics
What am I doing wrong? I'd only just got comfy with photobucket :roll:
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
Steven715
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Re: air con testing

Post by Steven715 »

Hi glad you managed to get your air con tested something I need todo..
With the pictures try this
Image
Image
edit hmm that didn't work because flicker uses an embedded picture on the link instead of directly to the photo.
We really are going to have to look for another photo hosting alternative.
1995 (N) Cavalier 2.0 16V CDX
X20XVE Engine
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

ilovedmymantas wrote:After a rash decision recently ( :cheers ) I ordered a hella condenser with drier to save a bit of money and time (might not be the only fault after all).
Thanks to Parcelforce, I shouldn't have bothered.

These are my test pics from Flickr (I hope!)

https://www.flickr.com/gp/150947621@N07/Ez0qZ8
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150947621@N07/1Vh83z
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150947621@N07/Cs9x6R

Seems all I've got is links instead of pics
What am I doing wrong? I'd only just got comfy with photobucket :roll:
Think I got this sussed.
Here's an exert from my returns email.

" I had to collect my condenser next day from my local PO.
When I signed for it I pointed out the corner was crumpled and the end tape was broken open. – It looked like it had been dropped on it’s corner.
Very helpful assistant agreed, wrote it on my proof of collection card and told me to see her about it if there’s a problem, she’d remember. (I’ve been at the same PO for years)

When I opened the outer box it was much worse.
The inner cardboard box was much more damaged, and worse, the condenser. It’s twisted and unusable
It looks like it’s been dropped on it’s corner and also had something heavy dropped on it that’s only broken the inner box".

The outer box was not fully padded at the sides and was the same height . No protection at all for the part at it's weakest points? I don't understand that :scratch
Image

The padding was almost non existent. Strapped to minimize movement but that was about it.

Image

Image

That seemed to work, Yaay! :D

If Hella send out the inner box with that pitiful protection it does make me wonder how many garages get these warped units and "persuade" them to fit?
I know I won't be fitting this one !


I'm not done with this thread yet so I'll start a new one on the images......
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

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Matt
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

While re-packing the condenser for a return I realised the outer box was wider but shallower than the box it was meant to be protecting :scratch
It looks like what's inside is actually trying to burst out!
Nissens for me now
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
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James McGrath
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Re: air con testing

Post by James McGrath »

What a bummer!

I think I got mine from the same supplier as it came in similar packaging.
Luckily mine arrived intact.

Hopefully they will replace it without any quibbles.
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Strangely, a replacement was never offered.
I got an email next day apologising and asking if Monday was ok for a courier to collect it.
That all went smoothly (so far)! The proof'll be the refund I suppose :)
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
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ilovedmymantas
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Re: air con testing

Post by ilovedmymantas »

Update..
I received a full refund and, coincidentally the same day, a letter from Parcelforce about the sellers claim.
Three pages to post back or you can fill it in, and scan it, then send by email.There's no online form and yet they ask for pics by email?
Surely if I'm helping them, an online form (even to download as a pdf and fill-in so I can attach pics at the same time)isn't too much to ask :scratch
I've never understood why the bigger companies are the most difficult to communicate with-they become successful then turn into Howard Hughes :D

As I've gone beyond testing I'm moving my aircon results to my cdx page....
" It's not rust. It's age-related patina " ;)

1980 vauxhall cavalier MK1 1.6L, 1982 opel manta berlinetta 1.8s, 1985 opel manta 2.0 gte, 1990 cavalier 2.0 gl ,1994 cavalier sri x20xev

-1995 cdx x20xev

---------------
Matt
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