Advise If I Can.

[TWR]

After having purchased a Peugeot 2008 308, I found after investigating that the A/C was not up to standard in this previous heat wave, I went to get it re-gassed to be told that there was a leak in the System, it turned out to be the Condenser, this unit is placed along side the Radiator behind the grill, I would have thought a fine Grill mesh would stop the influx of chippings entering this area, but it seems not, the job requires the whole front bumper getting taken off ( 3HRS) If your lucky to replace this unit, but needs to be done by a A/Con service Garage, I will see if this grill is possible to do without decreasing Air Flow.

[Zacs-Master]

Where did you take it to be re-gassed TWR? If it was the main dealer, they might just be trying it on. Does sound like a design flaw tho.

[TWR]

Never ever have I taken any car of mine to a main Dealer Zac, It's a Local Garage that does include A/C Servicing, "I doubt any garage will try it on with me Zac" If you know what I mean?

[1ozzy]

Condensers are quite large and usually are mounted in front of the radiator, (out here anyway). Is there any evidence of physical damage to the condenser?
Just looked at pictures of a 308. Seems to be lots of areas stones, etc. could enter the grill/bumper area.

We line the inside of our grills/bumpers with a fine mesh to stop foreign matter entering. Doesn't affect the cooling capacity of the motor.

[TWR]

That's what I intend getting the garage to do before Refitting the Front Bumper 1ozzy, how's Oz today?

[1ozzy]

G'day TWR, my part of Oz was blue sky, warm sunshine and dammed cold breeze. Lovely if you stayed out of the breeze. Sub zero overnight, turned into a nice day.
What about your neck of the woods?

Ps: We rely very heavily on air-conditioning in our vehicles.

[TWR]

Now at 9.05am looking out of our living room window, it's very cloudy, looks like rain ( More than likely here) regards the A/C, I know the was a problem but I had to have a look myself, there are Kit on Ebay regards Re-Gassing, some work, some don't, for £45 it's not worth the bother I prefer to leave it to the people that have the Equipment, that way it will have a warrantee.

[1ozzy]

//Now at 9.05am looking out of our living room window, it's very cloudy, looks like rain//
That's why the UK is so green.

I do a lot of the maintenance on our vehicles but I leave aircon to the experts.
If you get a fine screen in place make sure it is easily cleaned and/or removable for cleaning. It will clog up quicker but is easier and cheaper to replace than a condenser, radiator, inter-cooler, etc.

[TWR]

The problem with these Grills 1ozzy, the full removal of the Front bumper needs to be done, I could have removed that myself "but" there are Plastic Retaining clips under the bonnet that needs care on removal, if the garage snap these that will have to sort it out, other than that, they say 3 >>31/2 hr for removal, but that's the dealers which I would never use, my Brother who lived in Mount Druitt Sydney had a Holden when we were out there a few years ago, they tried to rip him off over a Service, my Brother was not the one to speak his mind would have excepted what they said, not me, they lost, you Ozzies might be good at Cricket lol lol, but we Brits have B A LL S lol lol

[1ozzy]

Six stitchers TWR?.
Hope you polish them regularly :-)

It's too easy to be ripped off by mechanics, along with a lot of other tradies.
Got to be "on the ball" if you don't want your wallet emptied.

[TWR]

It's the same here as you know 1ozzy, I at people / Garages that do that & will fight anyone's corner if need be. (Halo to follow)

[1ozzy]

Don't hold your breath waiting for the halo TWR, if you're anything like me :-)

[TWR]

To add, just had the car back, Haynes manual is WRONG BY SAYING the front bumper has to come off, there are 2 removable lower covers beneath the car, one for the Engine, one for the front lower radiator, the front cover is the one to be removed for the job to be done.

[1ozzy]

That's good news TWR. Should make it easy to fit some fine/strong mesh and remove it for cleaning.
Happy motoring :-)

[TWR]

That's the next Project 1ozzy.