Troubleshooting with Steve Rothwell

Our helpful Q&A hotline may be able to solve your classic-related problems, so why not email us at classics.info@kelsey.co.uk and we’ll try and help

AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE

I’ve recently purchased a 1997 Aston Martin DB7 and trying to get it up to a good standard. Before I got the car I believe it was used quite infrequently and as a result some things require attention. There are a few issues with sticking brakes and suchlike, but I’m hoping that these will just require stripping cleaning and lubricating, something that is well within my capabilities.

The area that concerns me is the air conditioning. This does not work and I’m not sure if it will just need re- gassing or whether the problems could begin to add up costing a substantial amount of money. What would you advise? Colin Potter If the vehicle has been left unused for any period of time it could well be the case that the air- conditioning system has begun to leak gas from the system and it is also possible that either the seals have dried out or that other components have corroded allowing the loss of pressure. I would in the first instance get the system charged and checked, as your worries may be unfounded. At the time of writing to me Quick Fit were offering an online ‘Recharge or No Charge’ service. They say “We will replace and recharge lubricant and refrigerant levels in line with your manufacturer’s recommendation. If we cannot improve the coolest vent temperature from your car by more than 10 per cent when measured in degrees Celsius – then you pay nothing at all.”

This is dependent on the ambient temperature being above 9°C and so it would probably be better to wait for the warmer weather. With this guarantee you really have nothing to lose. If the system will not pressurise and operate correctly, then you may well be looking at a money pit of component’s, compressor, condenser etc., but initially it would be worth attempting to put things in order.