E51 E51 Aircon Pipe Corrosion (Rear)

[Matt43]

Took it to the garage and - the same thing, rear aircon broken.

 

[Matt43]

Was told it was over a grand to fix so did a bit of research and capping the tubes seemed a lot cheaper.

Problem is they don’t do it here. They either replace the whole rear aircon assembly or bin the car!

I’m trying to convince the local garage that they can do it so doing some research and found this page.

The tube is double walled so it seems like it would be a bit trickier than capping single tubes.

 

[Andyzz]

Hi Matt43
This is what I done at least you have the option to go back if you ever find a pipe.
https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/ac-not-working.7750/#post-73091

 

[couchy]

So mine is being "fixed" as I type. Each pipe that terminates into the one concentric pipe has been capped off in 2 different places. Using specialist very high pressure AC end caps. One from within the engine bay and one under the car just above where the lambda probe sits.

Had to take airbox and lambda out to get access and it was a bit fiddly but doable.

Took 3hrs start to finish and cost £165. Front AC is now bloody freezing!!

Chap is called Stuart and I'd highly recommend him for any AC jobs.

Cool Drive Automotive Air Conditioning
Based in Leeds.

https://www.facebook.com/CoolDrive-Automotive-Air-Conditioning-234225893277790/

After reading this I contacted the same guy Stuart and booked mine in, great service and the rear has been blanked off and front AC is more than enough to keep the vehicle cool, cost was similar too. Well recommended.

He is looking to make a blanking plate so he can sell to those further afield

 

[korkythekat]

I am in contact with Stuart myself. I am prepared to travel to Leeds to get air con sorted. It's one essential function I could not do without and in the Elgrand its seems more essential with all the glass and metal to increase inside temperature. He could get very busy with Elgrands as he said he has worked on three in as many weeks.

 

[dave_s13]

I should tap him up for some commission then!!

He's good isn't he? Knows his stuff.

 

[Matt43]

Hi Matt43
This is what I done at least you have the option to go back if you ever find a pipe.
https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/ac-not-working.7750/#post-73091

Thanks. I’ll see if they can do that. Not too bothered about rear aircon. Some aircon would be enough.

 

[korkythekat]

I should tap him up for some commission then!!

He's good isn't he? Knows his stuff.

Booked in a couple of weeks. Seems knowledgeable alright.! Only an hour and a bit away. I have a campervan so rear aircon not crucial.

 

[danielle]

I Think the problem might be doing it when there is residual pressure in the system. Before whatever gunk you use has had time to cure the pressure from the pinhole has already broken whatever seal you were trying to make.

I know of a local mobile air con chap that is very good and going to ask him if he can just weld up the rear pipe as per the thread you linked too.

Did your local guy sort this for you. I'd be very interested to be put in touch as I need to sort the air-con on my Elgrand too. Thanks

 

[korkythekat]

Did your local guy sort this for you. I'd be very interested to be put in touch as I need to sort the air-con on my Elgrand too. Thanks

Cool Drive Automotive Air Conditioning (Leeds) appt made 15/6

 

[danielle]

Cool Drive Automotive Air Conditioning (Leeds appt) made 15/6

Sorry I got excited at the prospect of someone knowledgeable to fix the aircon and tapped out a reply before reading the rest of the thread.
I've had it "repaired" 3 times now by the local garage so prepared to travel to someone who knows what they are doing
Thank you

 

[dave_s13]

Just to update. My front air con is still ice cold and it really does keep the whole car comfy. Having the rear system working is obviously the ideal it's not absolutely essential.

 

[PatrickG]

Thanks for this thread everyone involved. Local garage just diagnosed the same problem for me with pipe to rear evaporator.
I'm also going to contact Stuart at CoolDrive and get the rear air con capped.
(E51 2003 Highway Star)

 

[StewartG]

Does anybody know if Stuart at CoolDrive has any colleagues up in Central Scotland? Mine has gone as well.........

 

[dave_s13]

Fairly sure he's a one man band bit I could be wrong, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you calling and asking though. Got to be a similarly competent air con place up your way though?

 

[korkythekat]

Seeing Stuart tommorow a.m. weather permitting. I will ask. He did mention making a diy blanking kit that Elgrand owners could fit themselves.

 

[dave_s13]

Seeing Stuart tommorow a.m. weather permitting. I will ask. He did mention making a diy blanking kit that Elgrand owners could fit themselves.

Tell him Dave in Methley wants 10% commission!

 

[Lize]

If its of any help this is where I took mine to have the rear capped off, its a bit in the sticks near Ipswich, Suffolk:

ACautoworks specialising in car air conditioning maintenance

Air conditioning specialist. Call us on 01473 311755 or 07760 757 656

www.acautoworks.co.uk

Sorry, I can't remember how much it was but I didn't think it was bad given the re-gas was included plus I had it done as an emergency job as I had to travel with pets in very hot weather.

Any decent AC company ought to easily cap the pipes off at the front and re-gas.

 

[korkythekat]

Just got back in from Cooldrive (Leeds) and can confirm the Air Con is working at the front as it should. Luckily the rain held off and Stuart completed job in @ two hours. A good forty minutes of that was trying to get the air filter box out of the way. A lpg copper pipe was running at the back of the air filter box and was making it almost impossible to remove. Mine is 2WD which makes things a bit easier but where the lpg pipe was, made it awkward. Almost so awkward I though Stuart was going to abandon the job. Luckily he persevered and completed the job. Big thanks to @dave_s13 for contact. Stuart owes you a beer or two. Unfortunately Stuart stays fairly local to that side of Yorkshire and he could not recommend anyone up in Scotland (@StewartG ).Stuart again repeated if he gets enough demand for "blanking off plates" for the rear lpg pipes he will look to try to get them made en masse. These blanks could then be posted out for DIY or local mechanic to fit ( not a hard job I believe) and at least you have the option to get the rear aircon reconnected which is not an issue for my campervan.

 

[StewartG]

Just got back in from Cooldrive (Leeds) and can confirm the Air Con is working at the front as it should. Luckily the rain held off and Stuart completed job in @ two hours. A good forty minutes of that was trying to get the air filter box out of the way. A lpg copper pipe was running at the back of the air filter box and was making it almost impossible to remove. Mine is 2WD which makes things a bit easier but where the lpg pipe was, made it awkward. Almost so awkward I though Stuart was going to abandon the job. Luckily he persevered and completed the job. Big thanks to @dave_s13 for contact. Stuart owes you a beer or two. Unfortunately Stuart stays fairly local to that side of Yorkshire and he could not recommend anyone up in Scotland (@StewartG ).Stuart again repeated if he gets enough demand for "blanking off plates" for the rear lpg pipes he will look to try to get them made en masse. These blanks could then be posted out for DIY or local mechanic to fit ( not a hard job I believe) and at least you have the option to get the rear aircon reconnected which is not an issue for my campervan.

Thanks for the feedback. Tell him I'll give him his first order if he makes the blanking plates on mass!!