Aircon refill on C4 A6

MikeH · 10-08-16, 01:38 PM

I've bought a Halfrauds refill kit for the '96 A6 C4, but the standard port fitting in the kit doesn't fit the low side port on the air con condenser (radiator).

I'm having no luck finding an adaptor. Does anyone know what the spec of the connector is, or where I can find an adaptor to refill it from the standard kit.

I've already bought one ebay adaptor that looked like it might work but didn't, so I'd rather avoid spending more money without the right info.

I've also got a '97 C4 Quattro TDI, so I've got 2 cars to do, and would like to find a way of filling them myself. Both had a faint pressure hiss when I pushed the valve, so not completely leaky.

hmg · 10-08-16, 10:50 PM

Why buy this kit and the other gauges etc that you will need when you can get a garage to vacuum ,refill, lubricate and test for £30..?

hmg · 10-08-16, 10:55 PM

I'm pretty sure your going to need more than one refill canister anyway. ?

MikeH · 11-08-16, 07:40 AM

I like doing things myself, I've bought the refill kit, and I don't like being beholden to garages.

Also, I have a spare car with a whole aircon system that had lots of pressure in it, so I have all the bits to swap over if it leaks.

Hanuman · 11-08-16, 11:09 AM

The gas in use until about 1994 was R12*, I believe. CFC pollutants acts resulted in the withdrawal of this, and being replaced with R134a*.
Some vehicles were updated at the dealerships** after delivery. With the change in Gas, the fittings also changed in several places. There are a couple of service points around the engine bay.
The molecule size is allegedly smaller in the later gases which adds to leak issues. Most of the service centres out there have the various adaptors to suit.

The R134a gas isn't a directly compatible. The system oil is different, apparently.
There are 1 or 2 alternatives for older vehicles, such as R24.

As much as having a go yourself is to be applauded, if I were you, I'd have a chat with a local independent air con specialist, as their buying power for the gas is much better than yours. Or get on down to a hose company and pick their brains about gas fittings.

*I think the numbers are right
** I have three V8s. Two early models that have R12 systems, one later model with R134a updated at the dealership. I have spare parts from another later model with an R12 system. Theres a quite a few variations in pipework and compressor where you don't expect it. I also have the 100quattro, which isn't at all clear whether its R12 or R134a. So don't bank on being able to swap individual parts over

MikeH · 11-08-16, 11:49 AM

The cars are '96 and '97, so should have been R134a gas from the start, going by that. I've been told by someone well versed in the C4 A6 that they have a 'hybrid' A/C system that has a mixture of ports. Neither of the ports on the system fits the standard R134a connector I bought.

If anyone knows what sort of connector it is on these, please let me know. R12 connector has been mentioned, but I don't have the dimensions to check.

geneandbolly · 12-08-16, 09:31 AM

Just had mine done on the S6 - £30.

Too bad it's raining and blowing a gale now!!

MikeH · 17-08-16, 03:58 PM

Is there anyone on here who can tell me whether the low side port is the one on the compressor, or the one on the condenser rad? There aren't any more, so I assume one is the low and the other is the high side?

Gaz · 23-08-16, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeH

Is there anyone on here who can tell me whether the low side port is the one on the compressor, or the one on the condenser rad? There aren't any more, so I assume one is the low and the other is the high side?

The plastic cap on the rad on my a6.c4 has a little H on it, so I assume it is the HIGH side?

Also, just had my air con re gassed by a young lad who is in training with his dads firm.. And he charged me £40, he WAS going to charge me £50.. :/ Have I been ripped off?

Gaz · 23-08-16, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmg

Why buy this kit and the other gauges etc that you will need when you can get a garage to vacuum ,refill, lubricate and test for £30..?

Also, how does one 'lubricate' the system? Because I'm sure all I saw this lad do to mine was vacuum and refill.

Also, its been a while since my aircon was last working, but I'm sure it doesn't feel quite as cold as i remember it being..

Should have just taken mine to the garage I think..

11-08-16, 11:09 AM	#5
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,006	The gas in use until about 1994 was R12, I believe. CFC pollutants acts resulted in the withdrawal of this, and being replaced with R134a. Some vehicles were updated at the dealerships** after delivery. With the change in Gas, the fittings also changed in several places. There are a couple of service points around the engine bay. The molecule size is allegedly smaller in the later gases which adds to leak issues. Most of the service centres out there have the various adaptors to suit. The R134a gas isn't a directly compatible. The system oil is different, apparently. There are 1 or 2 alternatives for older vehicles, such as R24. As much as having a go yourself is to be applauded, if I were you, I'd have a chat with a local independent air con specialist, as their buying power for the gas is much better than yours. Or get on down to a hose company and pick their brains about gas fittings. I think the numbers are right * I have three V8s. Two early models that have R12 systems, one later model with R134a updated at the dealership. I have spare parts from another later model with an R12 system. Theres a quite a few variations in pipework and compressor where you don't expect it. I also have the 100quattro, which isn't at all clear whether its R12 or R134a. So don't bank on being able to swap individual parts over __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor Last edited by Hanuman; 11-08-16 at 11:14 AM.

12-08-16, 09:31 AM	#7
geneandbolly 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: The Psychiatric Ward, North Ayrshire Posts: 7,490	Just had mine done on the S6 - £30. Too bad it's raining and blowing a gale now!! __________________ 1997 Audi S6 Ruby Red

10-08-16, 10:50 PM	#2
hmg Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cheshire Posts: 632	Why buy this kit and the other gauges etc that you will need when you can get a garage to vacuum ,refill, lubricate and test for £30..?

10-08-16, 10:55 PM	#3
hmg Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cheshire Posts: 632	I'm pretty sure your going to need more than one refill canister anyway. ?

11-08-16, 07:40 AM	#4
MikeH Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 32	I like doing things myself, I've bought the refill kit, and I don't like being beholden to garages. Also, I have a spare car with a whole aircon system that had lots of pressure in it, so I have all the bits to swap over if it leaks.

11-08-16, 11:49 AM	#6
MikeH Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 32	The cars are '96 and '97, so should have been R134a gas from the start, going by that. I've been told by someone well versed in the C4 A6 that they have a 'hybrid' A/C system that has a mixture of ports. Neither of the ports on the system fits the standard R134a connector I bought. If anyone knows what sort of connector it is on these, please let me know. R12 connector has been mentioned, but I don't have the dimensions to check.

17-08-16, 03:58 PM	#8
MikeH Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 32	Is there anyone on here who can tell me whether the low side port is the one on the compressor, or the one on the condenser rad? There aren't any more, so I assume one is the low and the other is the high side?