C3 1.4hdi 16v Aircon Problem

[Guest pazauk]

Hello all this is my first post (come over from frenchcarforum) I have just got my hands on this C3 1.4hdi 16v. I have changed the cam belt, aux belt, and front n/s head light, fog light, front springs, coolant, drive shaft seal and the transmission oil :huh: . I’m having trouble sorting out the a/c at first it did not work at all, got me a can of diy air con gas got the clutch of the compressor kicking in and the radiator fan starts but about 20 seconds later the system shuts down. Then the temp gauge on the dash goes to max, when I turn the engine off and on again the temp is fine until the ac is turned back on again with the same results. When the air con button is first pressed there is a hissing noise coming from behind the dash like (just guessing) the pressure building or the liquid/gas boiling. Ideas anyone? Is it just low on gas and needs more Or should I stop messing :unsure:

[paul.h]

Sounds as if there may not be enough gas in there. There should be a label under the bonnet telling you the gas (refrigerant) type (R134a usually) and the amount. The RTA manual for the petrol cars quotes 600+/-25 grammes and 135 cm3 of oil. If you went to an air con specialist they would remove all the existing gas, do a vacuum pressure test and then refill with the correct amount of gas. A common leak point (note from Iannez) is corrosion of the lower pipe connection to the condenser matrix behind the front bumper which can be seen/reached looking through the slots - prevention is to put on some grease.