Vaux Calibra air con ?

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Sun 19 May 2002 20:55
Vaux Calibra air con ? - Pete
Car is P reg Calibra 2.5 at 81.000 miles.

Does anyone know of any problems or faults with the air con system on this car, which would cause the unit to freeze up to a point where ice cristals come out of the vents into the car. Has anyone seen this before please ?

Air con specialist and Vaux main dealer have both checked over and recharged the system but have no answer to this. They agree something is wrong but do not know what.

Any input much appreciated. Thank you.
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Sun 19 May 2002 21:34
Vaux Calibra air con ? - Dave N
Pete, I'm assuming the vent temp is below zero? If so, the evaporator temperature is regulated by a valve in the compressor. As pressure and temperature are directly related, this valve 'throttles' the compressor output to match the requirement, keeping the evaporator at/around zero degrees. Are you noticing a reduction in airflow as well? Did they measure the pressure on the low side of the system? Should be around 2 Bar. The specialist should have given you a note of the pressures achieved and the recharge quantity. If the pressure was below 2 bar, it also means the evap. is getting too cold, and the condensation is freezing on it, and some coming up the ducts.

If this is the case, then the valve can be replaced, about £50 for the valve I think, though it may be a bit fiddly to get at, and the system will need the gas recovered and recharged (again).

Normally when the valve fails, you get no cooling at all, so if you have any further info, please let us have it for a better diagnosis.
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Thu 23 May 2002 21:41
Vaux Calibra air con ? - Pete
Thank you for the information Dave. The owner has not yet come back to me with any outcome but I will post as soon as I know any more. Thanks again.
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