[DuHasstMich]

Off-topic, but we face a similar problem with the DSL connection. Since the wiring in the connectors are all copper based, they have to be regular cleaned/replaced, else the internet connection becomes unstable!

Reasoning is the same, we have a river/dam a bit further away from our house..

[vigsom]

@shansunder The optimum refrigerant pressure on the suction side with unit running should be 65psig for R22 refrigerant.

PM me and I can give you the number of a decent a.c. technician through whom I got a new copper condenser for my Samsung split ac

[shansundar]

Originally Posted by vigsom

@shansunder The optimum refrigerant pressure on the suction side with unit running should be 65psig for R22 refrigerant.

PM me and I can give you the number of a decent a.c. technician through whom I got a new copper condenser for my Samsung split ac

Thank You Vigsom. I am still a newbie and I dont have this PM facility available. I believe you can send it across to me. Thanks again.

[KreativeGeek]

I purchased a Voltas 1.5 ton split AC 3 months back and this monsoon birds started damaging the condensation foam pipe covering the copper wire.

I called the service guys from Voltas who had installed my AC and they quoted Rs 250 per sq.ft for the foam pipe and I was wondering how the gas pressure dropped in just 3 months with few days of usage in summer, I could not get a look at the reading meter but the service guy claimed it was at 20 PSI and ideally it should be at 100 psi.

I did not trust them as I noticed something fishy in the way in which they had diagnosed the gas problem, seeking opinion from other members here on this and if anyone knows a good technician in Pune whom I can contact.

[scorpian]

Please do not fall for this scam!!
There is no way the pressure could drop so low in such a short period unless a deliberate undercharged system, or poor installation leading to leakage in any case it should be refilled free of charge.

Regarding the foam, its called superlon and u can buy this foam from ac spares shop, run a blade across to open the same, put it over your pipes and den use cable ties to secure the same.

[vikasshu]

I own a 6 year old Hitachi 1.1 AC and has been sent to authorized Hitachi service provider for two times in this period for the gas leakage. Every time they inform us that gas has leaked because of a drain close to our house and they say it corrodes the copper pipes in the AC. I was charged INR 4000 for gas filling . This time my AC stopped cooling altogether during humid Delhi monsoon season. Hot air was coming out but no cooling at all. I would also like to share that I get my AC serviced before the start of summers by an authorized Hitachi vendor.

I asked my wife to check with her friends in the locality if they are also facing the same issue. Most of them told us that they've not faced any issue like this ever.

Post this gas filling AC is working fine. After reading some of the initial posts of this thread, I am thinking is this problem is related to this particular Hitachi service provider. This time their service guy also suggested to go for an additional coating costing INR 1500 to avoid this issue in future. When I bought Hitachi, I thought I am buying the best product but so far my experience has been really negative about this brand.

Now the question is how to get best service for your AC when Hitachi appointed vendors are cheating you? How to counter them about this scam? What questions to ask? Please do provide your suggestions.

[vikasshu]

Mods: can you please merge this post with my previous one?

Another thing that I've noticed in this thread is that majority/most of us facing this gas leak thing are from Delhi/NCR. Whether it means no drains in other cities or whether Delhi drains are dirtiest?

I forgot to add that my Wagon R is 11 year old and there is no issue with its AC. It has never ever been serviced in last 11 years. Similarly we have Samsung refrigerator and it is as well 8 years old and never needed any gas refill.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by vikasshu

I forgot to add that my Wagon R is 11 year old and there is no issue with its AC. It has never ever been serviced in last 11 years. Similarly we have Samsung refrigerator and it is as well 8 years old and never needed any gas refill.

Agree with you on old cars' ACs.They just go on.

In a refrigerator or a window AC , the system is precharged at the factory and joints , brazed.So there will be no loss of refrigerant unless some component leaks.

In a split AC , the installation is done at Site and if the procedure for commissioning is not followed(e.g..leak test,vac.pulling and then charging refrigerant) , there can be loss of pressure over time.

Also R22 refrigerant isn't available in sealed containers anymore;technicians bring a container which looks locally fabricated and one can't be sure what is there inside , refrigerant or gas

[balenoed_]

My 12 Year old Baleno is having some problems with the A/C for the first time. All of a sudden the cooling stopped and I took it to the mechanic, who said the gas is completely drained out, and need to fill afresh. He also checked for any leaks at the pipe joints by pouring soap water, and could not find any. After filling the gas, the A/C was back and I drove home. He also reminded me that if it still stops, then the leak could be at the systems inside the dash board. Cooling coils.. etc?

And it stopped working the next day. Looks like he was true, that the gas is still leaking.
I am just wondering what are those systems related to A/C located under the dash board? Can some one explain. Are they expensive or repairable things inside there?

[5hadow]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

My 12 Year old Baleno is having some problems with the A/C ......Are they expensive or repairable things inside there?

I had similar issue with my Punto 2 summers back.

I initially had got the AC checked and gas recharged by an AC specialist near my locality but his behaviour seemed more towards money making than providing honest service.

So, when the gas leaked again (in one week), I took it to the Fiat ASS and got my car back the next day. They had to change a couple of seals (O-rings) and thats about it. IIRC, the expense with labour, gas recharge and parts came out to be about 2000 which is about the same as I paid for initial gas recharge.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

what are those systems related to A/C located under the dash board?The evaporator (cooling coil)

Are they expensive or repairable things inside there?The evaporator is under 10k for most cars.I think my boss paid 6k + labour in 2010 when he got his 2004 Baleno's evaporator changed.

My answers are in line . Twelve years is good life.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by vigsom

My answers are in line . Twelve years is good life.

Just an update on this-

Took the car to Mahindra First choice, and they diagnosed the problem to be a leak inside the dash board area and asked me for an approval to open it up and check it further. Without any other choice, I said to go ahead. The removal of dash board itself costs a labour of 2500/- + taxes. Hmm.. let me see how it goes. Will get to know in one or two day.

[diyguy]

Does anyone have any info on MRF tyredrome Ac recharge? They have an ac revival service but I am not sure what it entails. I believe if they do this, we can depend on them. I was considering this for my swift.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Took the car to Mahindra First choice, and they diagnosed the problem to be a leak inside the dash board area and asked me for an approval to open it up and check it further. Without any other choice, I said to go ahead. The removal of dash board itself costs a labour of 2500/- + taxes. Hmm.. let me see how it goes. Will get to know in one or two day.

Just another and final update on this-

So what happened next was, they did not really open the dash board, but just decided to clean it off as a first step. Left the car overnight with gas filled, and in the morning the gas was again out. So this time they went in detail in observing the condenser pipe linings, and there they find a very minute leak at a joint, and they confirmed that is the culprit.

They called me up to say that the condenser need to be replaced and it cannot be repaired. The condenser for Baleno is as expected, a whopping 19K.

I was no way going to shell out that amount for my 12yr old car, and went upto to the workshop and insisted them to get it repaired somehow. While a few guys over there were repeatedly telling that it cannot be repaired by welding or any other means since it is an aluminium and the location of the leak, I kept saying that it can be repaired as I was sure that there will be some way out, and if replacing, why would I come to you instead of Maruti Service centre itself. And then walks up another mechanic who said, okay, let us give a try, and he knew someone out there in Sivaji nagar who does this kind of job. I said, go ahead, get that done. Agreed that it is only a try and may or may not work. He removes the condenser and brought it back after doing this welding, and it has fixed it. 1650/- for the welding job.



Have been driving for few days now, and it looks like the leak has been stopped.

Though I was a little apprehensive about the Mahindra First choice in the earlier, but at the end, I am happy about their work of getting this done neatly.

[for_cars1]

I purchased a Hirachi split AC 6 months back and a couple of days back, it was not cooling and there was no gas in the unit.

Running out of gas in 6 months is clearly pointing to a faulty installation.
Shouldn't the repair and gas refilling be done free of cost as it in the warranty period ?