Can I fix it?

[sut100@hotmail.]

Hi, new member (sorry about the not so catchy user name - I put in MarkytheSParky, but somehow my email address got in there....whatever )

bought a aircon/heat pump from France's equivalent of B&Q, fitted it, worked a treat.... for a fortnight. Must've had a slow leak cos now no heat comes out and if I tweak the tit in the middle of the valve there is no hisssss

local aircon chappies want lots of money (relative to the cost of the unit - not much over 250quid) to come and top it up again, so I gave BOC a call and asked if I could buy some R407C and they said yup, but it'll cost ya... yes, you guessed it- £250 hmmm

I know officially I cant do it, but realistically, can you advise me?
thanks
Mark

[Electrocoolman]

Sorry to say, it is not simply a case of buying some gas!!! (You shouldn't be able to anyway without the relevant handling certificate)

You have to realise (as does every other DIYer) that specialised KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING and EQUIPMENT is required to install and repair Refrigeration and Airconditioning systems.
You have a LEAK probably from a poor system installation....were the connections on the system quick connect or flare?
Were the pipes precharged or how did you pressure test and evacuate the system?

You infer (probably correctly) that there is no gas in the system.....if the system has been running with no gas, there is more than likely now MOISTURE in the system.....which needs to be extracted.

You only have one option in my opinion and that is to pay the professional to correct the problem(s) on the system ....pressure test and find the leak, repair it, evacuate, recharge the CORRECT amount of gas and hopefully offer you a warranty on the work he has done....but dont expect one on the compressor/system....thats your problem.

You only get what you pay for! So much for a bargain!

[The Viking]

Mark,
Don't listen to Electro.
Of course you can do it yourself..

This trade is too short on engineers.

First you find a friendly fridge guy in your neck of the woods, then you ask him if you can start as an apprentice with him.

After a couple of years you should have the knowledge needed to repair your A/C system and after 5 years you might be able to sell your services to other end-users.

Sorry M8, but you really are outside the scope of DIY here.

[NoNickName]

Anyway, I'm a greedy selfish *******, located in NW Italy. I will sell a 6.5Kg bottle of R407c at 165 Euro, or 112 GBP, ex-works.
What you will do with it, it is just your business.

[sut100@hotmail.]

Fair enough, I think I am getting the message. I am actually a chartered engineer with an honours degree in physics (and from the days before they started giving them away - oops, controversial ), and not as dumb as I look (which is just as well ) but I accept that a professional is my best course of action. It does seem slightly disconcerting that they are allowed to sell these DIY systems, although having said that, the system WAS pre-charged, (with flared fittings), so theoretically it shouldnt be that much different to connecting up the brakes and bleeding them which I've done a fair few times (considerably more catastrophic if you get it wrong, too!). In fact I did test for leaks after I had installed it, and I think it was OK, but I then had to slightly re-position the 'outside' bit, and I guess one of the joints must've got slightly disturbed. Anyway, thanks guys for the advice (and the offer of the gas -my kinda guy), but I think I'm going to go with the majority opinion.. (but I will look out for that friendly fridge man... after all, I'd never have been changing the engine on my mini while I was still at school if I hadnt asked the bloke who used to come and fix me dad's car "hey mister... what does that bit do?....)
cheers
Mark
PS just re-read this and I sound like a right smarty-pants git... I'm not really, I'm just interested in all things 'gizmo', and wanted to ask the experts. This is a good forum and thanks again to everybody who took the trouble to write

[LRAC]

Fair enough, I think I am getting the message. I am actually a chartered engineer with an honours degree in physics (and from the days before they started giving them away - oops, controversial ), and not as dumb as I look (which is just as well ) but I accept that a professional is my best course of action. It does seem slightly disconcerting that they are allowed to sell these DIY systems, although having said that, the system WAS pre-charged, (with flared fittings), so theoretically it shouldnt be that much different to connecting up the brakes and bleeding them which I've done a fair few times (considerably more catastrophic if you get it wrong, too!). In fact I did test for leaks after I had installed it, and I think it was OK, but I then had to slightly re-position the 'outside' bit, and I guess one of the joints must've got slightly disturbed. Anyway, thanks guys for the advice (and the offer of the gas -my kinda guy), but I think I'm going to go with the majority opinion.. (but I will look out for that friendly fridge man... after all, I'd never have been changing the engine on my mini while I was still at school if I hadnt asked the bloke who used to come and fix me dad's car "hey mister... what does that bit do?....)
cheers
Mark
PS just re-read this and I sound like a right smarty-pants git... I'm not really, I'm just interested in all things 'gizmo', and wanted to ask the experts. This is a good forum and thanks again to everybody who took the trouble to write

As you have found out we are here to try and help but in some instances help could prove fatal to yourself and the environment, it is encouraging to see an individual who is willing to accept all of the points made and gracefully bow out without a little dig before parting from the forum.

Good luck in the future.

Regards
Lrac

[liamroys]

Hi Marky the sparky, was this just a way to get 75000 people to know your E-mail address

How to win friends and influence people