99 206 XS - Air Con

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Mon 12 Mar 2007 10:11
99 206 XS - Air Con - chewymix
Hi

Decided to test out the air con yesterday, i know i should do it over the winter anyway but i forget often as i only really use the car at weekends.

When switched on the light comes on but i dont hear the compressor kick in, at idle i do not notice the revs drop when switched on either. Didnt seem to really chill the air so i think something is up. On 206's are there common problems with the air con or where do i start with diagnosing the issue? It worked fine last summer/autumn.

thanks
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 10:14
99 206 XS - Air Con - Collos25
It's not working is it.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 10:16
99 206 XS - Air Con - LeePower
The aircon system on the 206 is pretty good, PSA learnt from all the mistakes of the 306's awful a/c system & made the 206 a/c set up a lot more robust.

You will most likely find the system is low on gas, so the safety pressure switch cuts in to stop it being damaged, with the lack of use over the winter months you might also find it needs at least one seal or possible more replacing.

A 206 XS is a pretty old car, when was the a/c system last serviced?

Let an aircon specialist pressure test the system & go from there.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 10:28
99 206 XS - Air Con - chewymix
i have had the car for about a year and the air con was not serviced in this time - before that i dont know however it did have a dealer history until i bought it so if its part of the regular service then it would have been done, i presume.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 10:40
99 206 XS - Air Con - LeePower
The dealer would only service the aircon system if the owner asked & paid for it, its not part of the normal service schedule on a Pug.

Find an aircon specialist & let them have a look at it, fingers crossed it holds pressure when tested & you can get away with a re oil & re gas.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 10:53
99 206 XS - Air Con - chewymix
ok thanks - i know this is very finger in the air but how much does a gas and oil generally cost? If i start to add new seals to the mix does make a huge difference?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 11:03
99 206 XS - Air Con - LeePower
Normally for a pressure test then the vac out, re oil & re gas with added uv dye its around the £65 to £80 mark depending where you are & if you go to them or they come to you, should take about 1 hour to do.

If new seals are needed it depends on the parts cost & then the labour to fit them, no idea on that one, fingers crossed it will hold pressure when tested.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 12:26
99 206 XS - Air Con - chewymix
i am in wimbledon so no doubt they will try to rob me :)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 12:44
99 206 XS - Air Con - RichardW
Almost certainly if it's gone down far enough to drop the pressure switch out it will have a hole in it somewhere.....
--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Apr 2007 12:24
99 206 XS - Air Con - chewymix
well finally got a man to come around and check it out - There was no gas but also no holes. A vac/lube/and re-gas was £80 all in so not at all bad and now it works better than ever!

thanks all
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 12 Mar 2007 12:56
99 206 XS - Air Con - daewoodave
my xsara air con packed up.so got air con specialist out to check.had hole in rubber pipe 2'' inches away from exhaust pipe.new pipe fitted.then condenser rad failed with small expolsion.total bill for new pipe, condenser, pressure test and refill,and labour came to £330 inc vat.serivce charge is £70inc vat. which includes pressure test removal of old gas and refill.air con man told that new gas in air con leaks very easily and needs annual top up.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link