Aircon condenser leaking :o(

[pidgeonpost]

Haven't been on the forum for ages, mainly due to our Berlingo (2006 1.6hdi) being such a trouble-free motor. Unfortunately the aircon condenser gas sprung a leak and needs replacing. Aircon guy reckons supply, fit, regas = £250+vat. Online condenser prices seem to be anywhere between around £60 and £120, but how does that price seem? Apparently there's a fair amount of work involved in fitting a replacement.

Sent from my Vodafone Smart ultra 6 using Tapatalk

[polar]

By law you cant do it yourself because of releasing the gas. However im not the police so i dont care.

The compressor should be quite easy to replace as it right at the top - then its just pay for a regas - there are people who do mobile regas so should be quite straightforward if you are any good with the spanners.

[dieselj]

how bad is the leak?
you can get sealant for them now.

[pidgeonpost]

Thanks 'polar' and 'dieselj'. The guy who looked at it today is a dedicated mobile aircon specialist that I've used before and he did say that it might be fixable with sealant, but he thought that I'd probably be just delaying the inevitable. He also wondered if the compressor seals were leaking but thought it worth fixing the condenser before we worry about the compressor. Pretty expensive if I have to replace the compressor as well.
I'm OK with spanners if a bit out of practice, but too many other jobs yelling for attention to make thus one a diy job unfortunately.
Thanks again.

Sent from my Vodafone Smart ultra 6 using Tapatalk

[pidgeonpost]

The good news is that the condenser has now been replaced, the system refilled, and everything is working well - no new compressor required! The bad news is that there is now a sizeable dent in my credit card! Half of this cost was labour as it took around 3 hours dues to the amount of stripping down and wrestling with a few rusty fasteners. All we need now is some weather to make the Aircon necessary. :o)

[dumdum]

By law you cant do it yourself because of releasing the gas. However im not the police so i dont care.

The compressor should be quite easy to replace as it right at the top - then its just pay for a regas - there are people who do mobile regas so should be quite straightforward if you are any good with the spanners.

If he has a leak on his condenser how will he have any gas in the system to release lol