As above.
Ive had my air-con topped up but since then the valve wont close off fully :(
Does anyone know if the valve can be fixed, or is it a new pipe with valve reqd?

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 16:36:

As above. Ive had my air-con topped up but since then the valve wont close off fully :( Does anyone know if the valve can be fixed, or is it a new pipe with valve reqd?

Which valve? I can't now remember whether it was high or low pressure, but the valve right at the front of the car by the rad certainly can be replaced, that was the valve that leaked on mine when he filled my A/C last Christmas. It's part number 52458177 (courtesy of andyc cos my dealer couldn't find it  :y) and it comes complete with the viton 'O' ring. (15 mm deep socket IIRC  :y)
From the print outs of EPC (from the dealer  ;)_ it looks like the other valve in the flexy rubber pipe is separate too .... but no part numbers I'm afraid (Item no 23 on page C22-3 of EPC)

Andy B wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 18:22:

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 16:36: As above. Ive had my air-con topped up but since then the valve wont close off fully :( Does anyone know if the valve can be fixed, or is it a new pipe with valve reqd? Which valve? I can't now remember whether it was high or low pressure, but the valve right at the front of the car by the rad certainly can be replaced, that was the valve that leaked on mine when he filled my A/C last Christmas. It's part number 52458177 (courtesy of andyc cos my dealer couldn't find it  :y) and it comes complete with the viton 'O' ring. (15 mm deep socket IIRC  :y) From the print outs of EPC (from the dealer  ;)_ it looks like the other valve in the flexy rubber pipe is separate too .... but no part numbers I'm afraid (Item no 23 on page C22-3 of EPC)

It is the one at the front Andy :-* :-*

Thankyou, thankyou.

So i take it i will need to have the system drained before i can replace said valve??
Or is this a job best left for a man who can :-/

Andy B wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 18:22:

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 16:36: As above. Ive had my air-con topped up but since then the valve wont close off fully :( Does anyone know if the valve can be fixed, or is it a new pipe with valve reqd? Which valve? I can't now remember whether it was high or low pressure, but the valve right at the front of the car by the rad certainly can be replaced, that was the valve that leaked on mine when he filled my A/C last Christmas. It's part number 52458177 (courtesy of andyc cos my dealer couldn't find it  :y) and it comes complete with the viton 'O' ring. (15 mm deep socket IIRC  :y) From the print outs of EPC (from the dealer  ;)_ it looks like the other valve in the flexy rubber pipe is separate too .... but no part numbers I'm afraid (Item no 23 on page C22-3 of EPC)

How much was it Andy?? Did it come with a dust cap as well?? as the barstewerds lost mine >:(

Well they should know better....the 'dust cap' is the primary seal!

Get one and it will be ok.

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 19:00:

Andy B wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 18:22: Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 16:36: As above. Ive had my air-con topped up but since then the valve wont close off fully :( Does anyone know if the valve can be fixed, or is it a new pipe with valve reqd? Which valve? I can't now remember whether it was high or low pressure, but the valve right at the front of the car by the rad certainly can be replaced, that was the valve that leaked on mine when he filled my A/C last Christmas. It's part number 52458177 (courtesy of andyc cos my dealer couldn't find it  :y) and it comes complete with the viton 'O' ring. (15 mm deep socket IIRC  :y) From the print outs of EPC (from the dealer  ;)_ it looks like the other valve in the flexy rubber pipe is separate too .... but no part numbers I'm afraid (Item no 23 on page C22-3 of EPC) How much was it Andy?? Did it come with a dust cap as well?? as the barstewerds lost mine >:(

The dust cap is separate :(, I think I'd shame them into replacing it if they lost it :-?. It wasn't dear, around £5 IIRC

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 18:50:

....... So i take it i will need to have the system drained before i can replace said valve?? Or is this a job best left for a man who can :-/

If it's still leaking after they re-filled it I'd have said they should be replacing the valve after they've vac'd the system all in the cost of the original fill.

Andy B wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 19:19:

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 18:50: ....... So i take it i will need to have the system drained before i can replace said valve?? Or is this a job best left for a man who can :-/ If it's still leaking after they re-filled it I'd have said they should be replacing the valve after they've vac'd the system all in the cost of the original fill.

They have agreed to recharge for free and to pay for a new dust cap.
The valve leaking is one of those things as you know yourself Andy, it happens.

So the dust cap is a primary seal???? i thought it was the sprung valve itself with the cap as a back up :-/

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 20:34:

...... So the dust cap is a primary seal???? i thought it was the sprung valve itself with the cap as a back up :-/

Whilst the cap is an important seal, I'm with you in that it's the sprung ball/valve that's the first thing that keeps the gas in.

Will we have to wear hair shirts & beat ourselves for disagreeing with you-know-who?  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)

Andy B wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 20:46:

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 20:34: ...... So the dust cap is a primary seal???? i thought it was the sprung valve itself with the cap as a back up :-/ Whilst the cap is an important seal, I'm with you in that it's the sprung ball/valve that's the first thing that keeps the gas in. Will we have to wear hair shirts & beat ourselves for disagreeing with you-know-who?  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)

Will have to wait and see........at least the naughty step me thinks ::)

So did you change your valve or did you get someone else to do it??

Dazzler wrote on 01. Jun 2009 at 20:54:

...... So did you change your valve or did you get someone else to do it??

The bloke trying to re-gas the system showed me the leak when he tried to disconnect his fill hoses. He thought it was all part of the pipe - at a cost of £100+ & only available from Vx - untill I had a look when he'd gone. I ordered the valve & he came back & topped the system after he fitted it, it's easily fitted with 2 spanners, but I left him to it.

Would anyone be able to get the part number for the other valve. Part no 52458177 is the one thats lower down and gets hot. THe thread on this one is on the outside.

The one which they fill at has the thread on the inside. If anyone can get the part number for this one I'd be very grateful. Man thanks.

There may be a year by year variation on this part, my mini-facelift has the QR a/c pipes and has the valve welded to the pipe. The older cars (to 98?) had bolt-up type a/c pipes and had replaceable valves.

If the plastic cap was missing it is vital that the ball valve be cleaned before connecting the gauge set or else dirt gets trapped under the ball seat and it will leak.
Sometimes refitting the gauge set a couple of times will cause the valve to re-seat properly and seal its self.

Matchless wrote on 03. Jun 2009 at 13:48:

There may be a year by year variation on this part, my mini-facelift has the QR a/c pipes and has the valve welded to the pipe. The older cars (to 98?) had bolt-up type a/c pipes and had replaceable valves. If the plastic cap was missing it is vital that the ball valve be cleaned before connecting the gauge set or else dirt gets trapped under the ball seat and it will leak. Sometimes refitting the gauge set a couple of times will cause the valve to re-seat properly and seal its self.

You have the edge on me in  that you have obviously got some experience with A/C, I don't so don't know names & terms but mines a minifacelift too (T reg 99) and has a bolt on valve towards the front of the car. This is the same valve as fitted to my Astra G.

The A/C bloke tried & tried to re-seat the ball.