Aircon Compressor Variable Displacement

[shane_3800]

HiChill is famously frowned upon on the forum thanks to one former member that must have just about sniffed the stuff on a daily basis.

However this is an excellent thread because there is so little about AC and especially the compressors on the forum. Keep posting even if not many join the discussion. These sort of threads can still be helpful.

Who needs a refrigerant handling licence?​

Any person who handles refrigerant or works on RAC equipment must hold a refrigerant handling licence. Handling a refrigerant means doing anything with the refrigerant, or a component of RAC equipment, that carries the risk of its emission, including:

• decanting the refrigerant; or
• manufacturing, installing, commissioning, servicing or maintaining RAC equipment, irrespective if whether or not refrigerant is present; or
• decommissioning or disposing of RAC equipment where refrigerant is present

https://www.arctick.org/information/faqs/

This quite clearly states non licenced persons should not be undertaking work on RAC systems.
It is irresponsible giving advice on a part of a vehicle which should not be worked on by the public.

 

[Fu Manchu]

It is responsible for us to learn and understand how they work better. We should understand more about them. Ignorance should not be encouraged and often we might find fixes or solutions that can then be shared with a licenced person who for what ever reason might be scratching their head.

Maybe a licenced person with poor morals and monthly budget to meet hits someone up for work not actually required.

Maybe with better AC info we can communicate with a licenced person to improve an outcome.

Maybe we can understand what is happening better.

Maybe with better shared info we can only understand why a licenced person is required.

Either way, let’s remove the mystical black magic from AC.

We are here to offer advice and sometimes we forget that.

 

[shane_3800]

It is responsible for us to learn and understand how they work better. We should understand more about them. Ignorance should not be encouraged and often we might find fixes or solutions that can then be shared with a licenced person who for what ever reason might be scratching their head.

Maybe a licenced person with poor morals and monthly budget to meet hits someone up for work not actually required.

Maybe with better AC info we can communicate with a licenced person to improve an outcome.

Maybe we can understand what is happening better.

Maybe with better shared info we can only understand why a licenced person is required.

Either way, let’s remove the mystical black magic from AC.

We are here to offer advice and sometimes we forget that.

Yea that is all fine.

But Hychill/Hichill or what ever it is, is a dangerous gas.
It is flammable, so in the event of a evaporator leak it could cause harm or death to the occupants of the vehicle.
Yes there is a low chance of that happening but the risk is still there.

I don't even know how they're allowed to sell the stuff to be honest.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Oh fk yeah. Long before your current username was on here, there was a dude that was obsessed with it. Everytime we would bring up the Saftey concerns etc.

That’s already acknowledged in this thread. What is of value it all the rest.

Two people with good experience in solving an issue, and that’s not you or I.

 

[vc commodore]

Having the refridgerant removed and replaced by a professional should certainly be done that way, but the repair of a compressor certainly doesn't have to be done by a licenced professional....

And the way I see this thread is, it appears like it is showing how the air con compressor can be repaired at home....So definately helps those that want to save a buck or 3

 

[Fu Manchu]

Absolutely. Not only that if we can fix something in the driveway or garage thanks to threads like this, that’s a win. Or take it to a workshop where they don’t care, won’t repair, just replace and slug you a grand or so for the pleasure.

New compressor $45k. Or something stupid like that.

 

[vc commodore]

Absolutely. Not only that if we can fix something in the driveway or garage thanks to threads like this, that’s a win. Or take it to a workshop where they don’t care, won’t repair, just replace and slug you a grand or so for the pleasure.

New compressor $45k. Or something stupid like that.

I honestly think with air con compressors, workshops go the easy and quite often expensive option of replacing...So yes, threads like this are invaluable for home spanner spinners like us...

 

[shane_3800]

Absolutely. Not only that if we can fix something in the driveway or garage thanks to threads like this, that’s a win. Or take it to a workshop where they don’t care, won’t repair, just replace and slug you a grand or so for the pleasure.

New compressor $45k. Or something stupid like that.

On that note, the poster who repaired their compressor with scotch bright, yea that might work for him.
But that's not an acceptable repair for a workshop.
In a workshop you have warranty ect.
When they install a new compressor they actually get warranty for that part through the supplier.
Also I would be hesitant to plug my machine onto a DIY job where a compressor seized up, you don't know if there's still metal in the lines ect.

It may seem like A/C shops are being rude, but if they do the work they can garrantee that it will be a successful job.
Also if you don't replace an old O-ring, then the shop gasses the system up, then it leaks out, they've just broken their licence ruels.

 

[vc commodore]

On that note, the poster who repaired their compressor with scotch bright, yea that might work for him.
But that's not an acceptable repair for a workshop.
In a workshop you have warranty ect.
When they install a new compressor they actually get warranty for that part through the supplier.
Also I would be hesitant to plug my machine onto a DIY job where a compressor seized up, you don't know if there's still metal in the lines ect.

It may seem like A/C shops are being rude, but if they do the work they can garrantee that it will be a successful job.
Also if you don't replace an old O-ring, then the shop gasses the system up, then it leaks out, they've just broken their licence ruels.

Replacement jobs, where he customer supplies the parts, it should be put on the receipt, "customer supplied what ever part".

Workshops can also refuse to fit supplied parts, which is quite acceptible...

If a customer just fronts up and says they wish to have their system re-gassed the receipt states just that..."re gas"

So there are plenty of ways for a workshop to cover their asses

 

[shane_3800]

Replacement jobs, where he customer supplies the parts, it should be put on the receipt, "customer supplied what ever part".

Workshops can also refuse to fit supplied parts, which is quite acceptible...

If a customer just fronts up and says they wish to have their system re-gassed the receipt states just that..."re gas"

So there are plenty of ways for a workshop to cover their asses

In both cases of self repair in this thread, I would probably gas them up, but you have to be careful.
You're meant to keep a log of all gassing and degassing, I can tell you this doesn't happen in most workshops.