The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I did exactly this before I got mine, first time for the MG I didn't actually get them from black circles but got a price from the recommended fitter. He was a couple of pounds a tyre cheaper, but for the Volvo he couldn't match the price from them, but was happy to fit.

I've fitted a brand new condenser but due to electrolytic corrosion, the very end of one of the lines sheared off right next to where the O ring is so it won't seal properly. The only fix is to replace the section of line. I've had no luck on eBay and I've put out an appeal on the C4 Owners forum.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle

I hope you didn't vent any remaining gas into the atmosphere?

Even if you do repair it how do you propose filling it back up again? Sounds to me like you should have followed the advice and gone to an A/C specialist. £300 or so and you'd have had the work done and warrantied.

_________________
Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30

Mark, the system was empty so that wasn't ever going to be a problem. Once I've fitted a replacement pipe I'll be getting the system properly recharged by a garage that has the correct equipment. Replacing parts is DIY and I've done it before with the Astra so I know exactly what I'm doing.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle

I imagine that if you take the car to a garage and ask them to check the system for leaks and then re-charge it, you would be able to take it back if the air con stopped working after a couple of days. Make sure you get some sort of guarantee from them.

_________________
1959 TR3A, 1970 Triumph 1300, 1974 Toledo
Thanks Photobucket

Yep, that's what I would do too. Take it to another aircon guy and ask them to "check the gas" saying the aircon has never seemed to work properly, then get them to fill it up.
Did you check for leaks on all the pipes and components with a UV torch? Some leaks can be quite small:

_________________
Karl-less

1500 MG Midget
Absence of a Dolly or Tolly at the moment.

and makes sure you fit new air con pipe to condenser O rings.

_________________
Karl-less

1500 MG Midget
Absence of a Dolly or Tolly at the moment.

Karl, I'll be crossing that particular bridge when I get to it.

On a more positive note, I've managed to source the relevant section of pipe. Once I've got it, I will replace all the O rings and then I can get the system recharged and I should end up with a fully working aircon.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle

Sounds like a plan

_________________
Karl-less

1500 MG Midget
Absence of a Dolly or Tolly at the moment.

I bought a set of metric O rings from my local Toolstation for just shy of a tenner so that's sorted. I've paid for the pipe so once that arrives I can get it fitted.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle

The pipe turned up in the post so I got it fitted with brand new O rings. I had the system recharged at my local Kwik Fit and I now have working aircon. They have the proper equipment for removing the moisture, checking to see if it will hold a vacuum, adding refrigerant, oil and UV dye.

The only other problem to fix is the clicking sound which I now know to be a worn outer offside CV joint. I can either replace the CV joint or the driveshaft. I bought a used driveshaft via eBay which turned out to be the wrong one despite assurances from the seller and providing them the VIN before I bought it (it was from a 1.6 HDi which is too short) so I sent that back for a full refund. The seller was local so I took it back myself and they even refunded the postage. I bit the bullet and ordered a brand new one from one of my trusted motor factors. The dealer was asking over £400 for a genuine part. I'll be picking it up tomorrow after work so it should be all done and dusted this time tomorrow.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle

I picked up the new driveshaft and fitting it went well until I came to get the outer CV joint into the hub. The splines were different so I've had the put the old driveshaft back on and return the new one for a refund. I don't know where to go from here. I think I'll have to try another eBay part. I've already had a look and the eBay seller I got my aircon pipe from has an offside driveshaft listed from a 2.0 HDi so that might be worth a try.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle

That is the trouble with french cars having owned a few myself parts were always a nightmare
Chassis nos reg nos mean nothing, you might even have to take the old one with you
Good luck.

_________________
NOW A CLUB MEMBER 2017057

I concur,
take the old part with you when buying new to try ensure you end up with something that fits.





Ian.

_________________
TDC Forum moderator
PLEASE help us to maintain a friendly forum,
either PM or use Report Post if you see anything you are unhappy with. Thanks.

It is a bit difficult when the part is still on the car and in use. I've just spoken to the motor factor and they're going to get back to me.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Hollies Sports & Social Club, 12 Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3NE
1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - The rolling restoration)
2008 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive (MA08 WCL - the modern)
1995 BMW 318i (M265 PNC - Project Bimmer)
2004 Vauxhall Corsa Design 16V (FE04 FKG - not mine! Being revived)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing." Aristotle