steveinky

2001 A6 2.8 Quattro. A/C was working great until wife borrowed my car for a trip. 100 degrees in Cincity and the A/C quit blowing cold. Miserable rest of trip to Cleveland for her. OK, no pressure and it won't hold a vacuum. What is the most likely culprit? I could put some in it and use a leak detector but the leak is so bad I'd like to know where to start looking.

Thanks
Steve

2.7Lturbo

if the leak is that bad is should be quite obvious, get a uv leak detection kit and find it with that... not much to the AC system, connectors at the evap core, the condensor core and the compressor. then the lines in between them.

leak will be located in any one of those locations, but if it is really a bad leak charging some uv dye into the system should make the job easier

steveinky

I had some time so I just put some r134 into the system. I had my handy sniffer ready but the leak was obvious. There is a big leak in the condenser. LUCKY ME!! I had feared another nasty evaporator job and the compressor doesn't look too easy either.

So, who has replaced their condenser? How does it come out of there on the 2001 A6 Quattro?

Thanks
Steve

SloopJohnB@mac.com

All of them come out after removing the front bumper. I don't think you even have to put it in service position.

You'll know when you look at the new condenser.

steveinky

'01 A6 Quattro 2.8. Open hood. Remove 2 screws from engine fresh air intake scoop and remove it. Remove the rubberized plastic thingies between the bumper and the condenser on both sides. 1 screw each and you have to twist and flex them to get them out. Remove the plastic pins from the top condenser mounts. You can poke something in the end of the pin to release the latch. Remove the top condenser mounts including the rubber thingies from the condenser itself. Drop belly pan. Pop out the lower right fog light grill. Remove the 2 hoses from the condenser. Easier said than done 'cause space is tight. Disconnect wire at low pressure switch. Remove condenser. Reverse sequence to install new condenser.

No need to remove bumper!

Mandatory disclaimer.....this was just a dream...etc.

Have a nice day
Steve