My Son has a 2000 reg 306 Hdi D turbo. Last year he heard a hissing sound from the interior vents when he turned the A/C on. Now he would like to use it and the compressor does not kick in. Lack of gas I guess. Is there a common weak point in this system? I have heard of rusty pipes, which ones and are they easy to replace? or could it be a dash out job to replace the evaporator, there was no oily smell, so maybe the leak is outside the cabin. He aims to sell the car soon so wants to get it working if possible. Ideally we would like to replace whatever is necessary ourselves and then get it professionally regassed, or should it be totally left to the professionals? Any idea of cost?
Many thanks.
John
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The pipes on the 306 are the weak spot - there are two or three that are prone to going. Best to get a trace check done and find the leak.
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I can't picture the HDi version, but the earlier 306's had pipes that run along the front x member under the radiator. They rot through where they're held with P clips. They also suffer from condensor failure.
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"306's had pipes that run along the front x member under the radiator"
I had just this job done last summer on a 99T 306. The pipes are aluminium, held in place by steel P-clips with rubber spacers to 'prevent' metal-metal contact. My pipe cost £46.37, plus the cost of fitting and regassing. The failed one had a visible pinhole near one of the clips.
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Many thanks for all your answers.
He will have to get under and have a look. Is it a main dealer part? as I can't find it with Euro Car Parts. So I guess I am looking at a £200 job which should be worthwhile. As any prospective purchaser would aim at getting £500 off for no aircon.
John
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Just to give you some idea of prices. Dealer parts.
Long pipe - £70.09 ex VAT
Short pipe - £43.27 "
Condensor - £135.00 " (Serck)
Prices paid for work "Replace pipes and re-gas £132.19 (inc VAT and parts).All in all that cost me £256.97 (inc VAT)
" Initial leak test by mobile specialist, replace condensor, specialist revisit, test and re-gas. £353.66 (inc VAT and parts)
I make that a total of £610.63 and I have only owned the car 23months. As you can see it 'aint cheap.
Dave N please dont tell me you could have done it cheaper I only sold (gave) the car away today I'm already in trauma!!!!!!
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Fullchat
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Above is my extract from an earlier post. Here is the link.
Try typing in "306 Air Con Fault Diagnosis" into search area - www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=10...8. That will give you a full account of 306 problems and costs involved.
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Fullchat
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To expand on my earlier post, my total cost was much less than Fullchat's. When I found my aircon was not working (a year ago) I had it regassed (£40) in case it just needed a top-up, and a check for the appearance of tracer dye (none found). I had another look when I got the car home - the suspect pipes are easy to see with the front wheels on ramps - and spotted the leak beside one of the clips.
So I compared prices from the 3 nearest Pug dealers, bought my own pipe, took the car to the aircon specialist, who fitted it and regassed the system. Total cost: original £40, pipe £46.37, fit and regas £50; all-in inc.VAT about £160.
Car was just 6 years old when the pipe failed.
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