Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Air condtioning query

I last used the A/C on my 2009 Roadster 3.0 a couple of years ago. So today in the tail end of the heatwave I was disappointed to find I now have no A/C..... Switching it on, the snowflake symbol illuminates, but with the fan activated all I get is faster-flowing warm air. Last time the A/C was serviced was 9 years and 9K miles ago during the previous ownership (his photo attached), new compressor, dryer and switch. So what should I be checking before I take it to a local A/C place ? Numpty question: is there something obvious to look for like a blown fuse, a puddle of coolant on the garage floor, or a leaking junction somewhere in the stupidly vulnerable pipework ?

AC systems lose gas continuously ... after checking for cracks and obvious damage (is it just me or does the system look really vulnerable?) I'd nip to a garage that does AC and get it re-gassed.

K

I believe the seals also prefer regular use of the aircon to maintain lubrication. Without that they can dry out and the refrigerant leaks out. Best to use the air on occasionally, even if the weather does not demand it.

You need to run them monthly to keep the seals lubricated. The gas has probably joined the ozone layer.
Regassing is pretty cheap but I think it is also v exposed as a radiator, I'd fit or get fitted some 90 degree bends to raise the hoses before regassing..

Check the gas type used, typically R134a pre 2014 although this was used until 2016 for some. Eco friendly R1234yf then took over using a non compatible compressor so if this hasn't been upgraded your car will need the older gas to avoid compressor damage.

Coincidentally I was reading up about BMW aircon as I just had my Plus Four system regassed. It had failed when tried during the recent hot weather.
On my other cars I always used it at least once a month to keep it checked. I haven't done that in the Plus Four. My error! The car was in MMC for a job two weeks ago and they regassed it while it was there. It works properly now. I'll definitely use it monthly from now on. It just needed a regassing, no other issues......yet! Hopefully no seals damaged or slow leaks. A proper regas involves leak tests anyway so if none found it should be ok. 🤞
It's basically like your fridge/freezer. These run continuously so tend not to suffer non-use problems with compressor, condensor, seals.
A good aircon servicer will do checks for leaks, compressor etc and refill gas.
From your photo the condensor and pipes are seriously at risk being so low and exposed. That needs sorting. Can you raise the condensor "rad"? Turn the pipe connectors 90 ( or more)? Fit a plate to protect but not block off airflow to the condensor ?
From my investigations ( google and you tube) components should be easy to find but access might be awkward, especially for the compressor pump.

Often over looked, but running the air con is a very necessary routinue to get into. Pity they haven't developed a system to be continuously running enough so the seals don't dry out....they are quite efficient these days so don't hit the fuel consumption as much as in the past,when belt driven.

On my BEV the AC is from the heat pump so very efficient.

I love this two for the price of one engineering. On light aircraft equipped with de-icing the vacuum pump, needed to drive the AH and DI, is used to pump up the flight surfaces leading edge rubber boots, that break off ice build up, by employing it's exhaust.

Thanks for the helpful replies. A physical inspection showed nothing bashed or broken. On the basis of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing but no knowledge at all is worse, I found this schematc elsewhere on TM and some useful info online https://appliancesfirst.com/what-does-car-refrigerant-smell-like/ It's booked in to to local A/C place next week, I'll report back.