Air Conditioning fix

Yes, yes, I know it adds weight and has no place in a proper car but it can be quite useful sometimes…

I thought my aircon was consigned to history when I discovered a hole/split in the high pressure pipe that runs from the compressor through the RH sill. The gas leaked away in less than 4 hours. To replace the pipe would have cost over �1k according to two Lotus dealers, even if I’d taken both clams off myself. Apparently the sill is 95% likely to be damaged beyond repair when being removed as it’s bonded on.

To cut a long story short I bought a can of Airco Seal Pro leak sealer and asked the local mobile aircon outfit to refill the system, not really expecting it to work. To my astonishment it sealed instantly and has been OK for the past two weeks.

Autokool

My 111R developed exactly this fault in may last year. The dealer (HHC) replaced the perforated pipe(s) through the RH sill. No damage, a great job, & a good deal less than �1K

HHC clearly know more than the two dealers I spoke to. If the problem recurs I’ll know where to go.

Can you remember the approximate cost?

I can’t be certain off hand, but I think it was circa �700.

All the invoices are with the car (at said dealer), which has been traded in. If it’s still there next time I go I’ll check it out & let you know.

Thanks

Do you know that Halfords … Yes Halfords !! do aerosols from about �20 -�40 that top up and attempts to seal aircon leaks ?

I thought this was bull a couple of years ago when my golfs A/C went awol…
So I topped it up with the aerosol and it lasted the summer

Next summer:
I then discovered the leak was in an “o” ring on the condensing rad … So i bought an o ring and fitted it thus losing ALL the A/C pressure…(opening up the system)
Rather than paying the �50 to get Kwik Fit to fill it I bought another can of refrigerant from Halfords…
The result ? : my A/C is still working fine and I still have half a can or refrigerant left for next year…

It may not work for all cases but it worked for me

Depends on the sealant. Most are designed to swell the various O-rings only but the stuff I used seals holes in metal eg condenser/evaporator, rigid piping.