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View Full Version : URGENT help please - aircon again!



Roadsterstu
11-10-2009, 12:10 AM
Sorry if this is not posted in the correct place. Still fairly new here and trying to get used to it all. Finally collected my 260 today. As part of a list of agreed work, the aircon compressor was one job to do. The salesman told me it was done for and that they would be replacing it prior to sale. As it turned out, they struggled to get one - X-Part apparently had them on back order, so I was told. I suggested trying to source the compressor from the V6 Mondeo - no idea if they investigated that route any further. In the end, they sent to od on off to be refurbed. Fine, I thought, should be OK, right? (By this time my collection date for the car had been put back by over a week).
So, collected the car today from near Leeds, ready to drive home to near Nuneaton. Checked aircon - nice and cold. Drive home via folks' house near Huddersfield - still OK.
Part way down M1, thought I'd try the aircon again - no cold air. Just won't cool it at all.

Get home, pull on to drive to hear horrendous grating/clicking noise from under bonnet, which on investigation is most definitely the compressor. If I run it in econ (ie no aircon) the compressor emits this grating and clicking and the front of the compressor can be seen to be trying to spin - it sort of partially turns a few degrees, in time with the clicking. If I switch on the aircon at idle it damn near stalls the engine, such is the huge amount of force it must be taking to get the compressor turning.

I assume this supposedly refurbed pump is now on the verge of seizing up completely? Is this due, perhaps, to the fact that maybe the garage did not flush the system? Or is there another more likely cause?

Can I run the car without the compressor belt, or is the belt for the compressor also driving other items (was dark when I got home, will look tomorrow).

So, chuffed to bits I have the car - but a big problem already!!

Thanks

Stu

pessling
11-10-2009, 12:25 AM
you should be okay running it on econ. if it was a refurbished unit, does sound like they didn't flush the system out and that any particles are now in the refurbish unit.

Don't remove the belt, it runs the alternator, power steering pump, water pump etc.

just don't turn the air con on.

Cribbit
11-10-2009, 12:26 AM
So sorry to hear your first day of 260 ownership has ended with a problem already. The belt that drives the air con compressor drives many other things, so can't just be removed, sorry. Normally when the compressor is ill having the air in econ will not engage the clutch inside the compressor, and it will spin fairly freely. It sounds like your is not spinning freely when the air con is off, which is a worry. The belt can be removed fairly easily, and you can then try to turn the pulley on the compressor by hand to see how tough it is to turn.

Sorry I can't offer any more helpful advice, but i'm sure someone will be along who can.

Roadsterstu
11-10-2009, 12:36 AM
Peter, thanks for the tip - I had read that from various bits of "research" before buying. In this case though, it doesn't seem it will work.

Cribbit - again, thanks. I'll look tomorrow. What I suspect is that either the garage have not had the pump refurbed (although the front end looks very clean, at least) or have not flushed the system, added oil or whatever it is that should have been done but appears not to have been done. If you get what I mean!

Yes, first day - a little annoying. But I'm not put off. To drive, it is wonderful. A thoroughly well sorted driver's car. I'm smitten, I know that much.

Edit: Oh, and I have a warranty. Plus should have some fallback from the fact the garage only just changed this unit this week, prior to collection.

SH4RKY
11-10-2009, 12:38 AM
As Cribbit says, it may not actually be the compressor but the clutch plate at the front thats causing the issue. ill fitting, lack of oil or something perhaps

re-tread
11-10-2009, 01:07 AM
As said further up this tread by putting in Econ mode the compressor should not run. If it is still running then try unplugging the control cable from the compressor to see if that changes anything, could be a problem with the climate controller.

I'm getting my refurb unit unit I got from the states fitted on Tuesday. If you need to source one have a look at https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showthread.php?t=4856

Stu C
11-10-2009, 10:55 AM
Blimey, what a sad start to owning a nice car! - Grab all the information you can and go back to the garage who suppodidly did the work and get them to sort it.

If they cannot source one give them this information

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc260/html/f0rum/showthread.php?t=4856&highlight=visteon+compressor

Then hopefully they can ship it over and fix your system :)

Roadsterstu
11-10-2009, 12:24 PM
As Cribbit says, it may not actually be the compressor but the clutch plate at the front thats causing the issue. ill fitting, lack of oil or something perhaps

Been out this morning to look in the daylight. The triangular plate at the front, with the 3 circular sections spins freely by hand. However, there is a circular plate behind it is the culprit. It is very loose and just rattles about. I did try and undo the small nose bolt to see if I could remedy the issue myself but it wouldn't budge. No idea why that plate would be loose - I assume that is the clutch plate then? What would cause such a heavy load on the engine when the clutch engages - a failing clutch or no oil perhaps?

Should I be driving it? It sounds like a bag of spanners, sadly.

Roadsterstu
11-10-2009, 01:56 PM
Taken this vid, which demonstrates the issue:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg87/roadsterstu/th_DSCF2157.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg87/roadsterstu/?action=view&current=DSCF2157.flv)

ColinE
11-10-2009, 02:15 PM
What a start to owning a new car! Sorry about your bad luck, as Stu says get it back to the garage - one short cut re whether it is safe to start - do you have AA or RAC cover??

Roadsterstu
11-10-2009, 05:41 PM
Yes, have RAC cover, roadside not at home. I could drive over a 1/4 mile away and then suddenly develop an issue and ring them. However, I have spoken to the salesman at the garage I bought the car from this afternoon. It is likely to be going back to them sometime this week. Only problem is it's 12o miles away, so a pain in the rear. A decent courtesy car (like the Aston V8 Vantage in the showroom!) and some compensation regards fuel should do the trick.

AndyG
11-10-2009, 05:47 PM
Yes, have RAC cover, roadside not at home. I could drive over a 1/4 mile away and then suddenly develop an issue and ring them. However, I have spoken to the salesman at the garage I bought the car from this afternoon. It is likely to be going back to them sometime this week. Only problem is it's 12o miles away, so a pain in the rear. A decent courtesy car (like the Aston V8 Vantage in the showroom!) and some compensation regards fuel should do the trick.

Remember (or if you did not know): The car has an LSD and can not be towed any distance.

;)

ColinE
11-10-2009, 06:16 PM
Glad they are going to take a look at it, at least they cannot deny there's an issue!!

Hope you get it sorted and can start to enjoy the car properly!

Roadsterstu
11-10-2009, 08:43 PM
In fairness to them, I suspect it may actually be down to the company that reconditioned the unit, rather than the garage. They fitted it and hopefully tested it. I tested it before I left with the car and it was fine. After 120-odd miles it was boggered. Garage (Sunwin Mazda, Guiseley, ex-MGR dealer) have been great thus fair. Salesman seems a genuine enthusiast, which makes a pleasant change.

Good tip on towing too, cheers. Flatbed only, then.

ColinE
11-10-2009, 09:08 PM
Garage (Sunwin Mazda, Guiseley, ex-MGR dealer) have been great thus fair. Salesman seems a genuine enthusiast, which makes a pleasant change.


Good to hear - all too often all one hears is the complete opposite

Roadsterstu
13-10-2009, 12:58 AM
Brief update. Guy from Mazda Assistance, or whoever they are called, came out and assessed the car (covered by an appoved Mazda scheme, as bought form a Mazda dealer). Pleasant chap. Found the remains of one of three rubber bushes that should fit into the front of the compressor and dampen the clutch plate and also hold it in position. Two missing totally, one found in the undertray, degraded or burnt - worn and turned soft and sticky. So, a clue.

The chap reckoned it shouldn't be driven, so was taken on a flatback to Leeds. No courtesy car yet, but if it is going to eb more than a couple of days, I WILL be having one.

I have to say, in fairness to the dealer, Sunwin Guiseley, they have been on the ball. I suspect this compressor issue is down to the company that refurbished it. It tested OK at the garage and when I collected it

ColinE
13-10-2009, 01:07 AM
At least there are signs of progress!

V8 Martin
14-10-2009, 11:33 PM
Or buy this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-MUSTANG-4-6-V8-AIR-CONDITIONING-COMPRESSOR_W0QQitemZ280379604573QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4147ed 3e5d

I bought some suspension bits from the same car/seller as spares - in good nick.

Don't know about you, but I always think re-con stuff is nowhere near the standard of factory made.

Roadsterstu
24-10-2009, 11:36 AM
Thanks Martin. I've put an offer in. If, for some reason mine is still playing up, I'll have a spare and should always be able to sell it on, hopefully.

Still not got my 260 back. Been 2 weeks since I went to pick it up and found the problem, so barely driven the car yet. I have now had to pressure the dealer a little more to chase up the "specialist" they are using, who seems keen on making excuses (the specialist, not the dealer, that is). I've said I want the car back by the middle of next week.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but had I known about this I'd have just ordered a new one from the States...

The annoying nthing is that this supposed specialist seem unable to say what the problem is with the compressor. It can't be that complex, surely?

Stu

V8 Martin
27-10-2009, 07:53 AM
Complex? No, I don't think so! Must've been fitted to a million motors.

I guess the specialist would rather specialise in doing work they get paid for, but forgive my negativity, I just find that in UK today anything that gets "fixed" breaks 5 minutes after it's paid for!

Persevere, your 260 will be worth it from the moment you stretch it's legs through 1st, 2nd & 3rd.... :)

ColinE
27-10-2009, 11:47 PM
I just find that in UK today anything that gets "fixed" breaks 5 minutes after it's paid for!

Blimey - let me know who you use - from my experience 2 mins is a good result

Roadsterstu
02-11-2009, 02:37 AM
Ebay seller declined my offer, which was only a little lower than his asking price anyway. Never mind, the so called specialist this time seems to have done the job they were supposed to have done the first time around and replaced a bearing of some description, along with the clutch assembly, so the compressor now has a new "front end" on it. And now it works, which is even better.

Got the car back last Thursday and so far have been enjoying only 1 long, speed-limited motorway run through heavy-ish traffic and a couple of short journeys. Some trips a little further afield are beckoning, I feel.

So far though, the car feels and sounds phenomenal and I really look forward to getting to know it better and better as time goes on.

One quick Q - is the clutch really heavy in all these cars? Only driven mine, so no means to compare. It's something I could get used to but in traffic, my leg aches somewhat! having said that, the Cov meet next week will be my ideal opportunity to find out about this sort of thing.

Brilliant, brilliant car though. Loving it! :D

SH4RKY
02-11-2009, 12:07 PM
They are all heavy.... you will get used to it... the more you drive it the more you realise that the weight of the controls match the cars 'feel'.

colintf
02-11-2009, 06:20 PM
yes you get used to it. Driving some other cars afterwards seems really strange, like they have very very light clutches!!

:cool:

Herman
02-11-2009, 07:12 PM
yes you get used to it. Driving some other cars afterwards seems really strange, like they have very very light clutches!!

:cool:

Try driving a hired Mondeo Diesel for work, say from Leeds to Swindon, park it and get in your 260. It seems I left some tyre marks in the car park:D

But to the point, yes.............clutch is slightly more meaty than on other cars

colintf
02-11-2009, 07:15 PM
I always get a shock after driving the V8 and then jumping into the TF or ZS and using the clutch for the first time!

:cool:

ColinE
02-11-2009, 08:50 PM
Ebay seller declined my offer, which was only a little lower than his asking price anyway. Never mind, the so called specialist this time seems to have done the job they were supposed to have done the first time around and replaced a bearing of some description, along with the clutch assembly, so the compressor now has a new "front end" on it. And now it works, which is even better.

Got the car back last Thursday and so far have been enjoying only 1 long, speed-limited motorway run through heavy-ish traffic and a couple of short journeys. Some trips a little further afield are beckoning, I feel.

So far though, the car feels and sounds phenomenal and I really look forward to getting to know it better and better as time goes on.

One quick Q - is the clutch really heavy in all these cars? Only driven mine, so no means to compare. It's something I could get used to but in traffic, my leg aches somewhat! having said that, the Cov meet next week will be my ideal opportunity to find out about this sort of thing.

Brilliant, brilliant car though. Loving it! :D


Glad to hear things are gettign back to normal - and yep the clutch is very heavy, can be a bit of a trial in stop start traffic - but once on the open road :D:D:D:D

Roadsterstu
04-11-2009, 02:44 AM
Reassuring to hear, thanks guys. Yup, stop start traffic is a bit of a work out!! I do love the heavy, mechanical feel of the car though. It really is something else.

Stu