[s-cars] AC and Coolant reservoir Q's

[Tom Green]

> Original Message:
> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 10:58:29 -0400
> From: <riff944 at cox.net>
> Subject: [s-cars] AC and Coolant reservoir Q's
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Message-ID:
> 	<20040407145829.FAYU10805.lakermmtao12.cox.net at smtp.central.cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi S-car d00ds-
>
> Two, hopefully, quick questions:
> 1.  With the AC, I tried mine recently, but it did not blow especially 
> cold air.  Had the climate control turned to LO, granted the outside 
> temp was only 60*F, but still it was not cold.  Any chance there is an 
> interior temp sensor that would not allow it to blow too cold?
>
> Another note on this, when the "shop" recently did my t-belt, they 
> needed to drain/re-fill my AC.  They also said they had a problem 
> re-filling the refrigerant.  I do not remember reading anywhere that 
> you need to purge the AC system when doing the t-belt.
>
> 2.  Car is spilling a little coolant.  Opened the hood yesterday after 
> the ride home.  There was some coolant blowing (spitting actually) 
> past the hose clamp on the return line to the reservoir.  The clamp 
> was on tightly and I believe that the nipple there is free of damage, 
> though I did not remove to confirm.  Provided the fitting is OK, I 
> take this to mean that the reservoir vent cap is no longer 
> funcitoning?  Is this piece dealer only???
>
> TIA,
> Riff

The Bentley procedure (Audi repair manual) calls for removing the 
bumper cover and swinging the radiator and A/C condenser aside to allow 
good access to the crankshaft pulley and timing belt.  The radiator 
must be supported while only attached to one side, and usually means a 
makeshift support since the factory tool is not something I have in my 
garage.  Your problem points to a mishap during this job that let the 
condenser drop and breaking a line or fitting.  The A/C system requires 
servicing from the high pressure side that only a dedicated A/C shop or 
dealer would be prepared to do.  So, I would be asking the "shop" what 
happened.

The coolant system operates under pressure that tries to escape from 
every fitting.  The leak at the nipple means the connection is not 
satisfactory for unknown reasons until you remove and inspect it.
If indeed, you do have a faulty part , most of the online parts sellers 
have reservoirs and caps.

Tom '95 S6   old d00d