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Bumper removal on Laguna 2

8K views 20 replies 7 participants last post by  kennyg 
#1 ·
Hi all. I need to re-place the air conditioning condensor on my Dad's Laguna 2, I could do with knowing if I need to remove the front bumper to do it? After having a look around it, it looks like just the headlights and slam panel need removing but any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Anthony:crazy:
 
#3 ·
My Dad run into the back of another car a while ago only at slow speed and the 'garage' that repaired it didn't notice the condensor had a hole in it made by the towing hitch on the other car, so we've had a bit of warm weather and the air conditioning isn't blowing cold, so my Dad takes it back to the same 'garage' to have the air conditioning serviced and re-gassed and they tell him the condensor is leaking and want £500 to put it right.:steam:
 
#7 · (Edited)
Hi Anthony - you may get away by just undoing the front bolts holding the undertray but I personnaly I would remove it completely simply because if you drop anything (screws, clips, tools, etc) under the bonnet you end up fishing around in the dark:) Just make sure it is replaced as it prevents stones from getting thrown up around the belts, etc. There have been case were small stones have led to timing belt failure.
 
#11 ·
Thanks you all for the help. We swapped the condensor for a new one, it didnt take us that long to do. There is no need to remove the headlights, just the bumper, grill and undertray. We had a few problems, two bolts holding the engine undertray on decided to give us trouble, one started coming out then snapped off and the scond one started coming out then the 'captive nut' started spinning in the aluminium supports. So a note to anyone who services there own Laguna 2, take these bolts out and grease them as next time you come to drop your oil these bolts will either break or sieze in:eek:
 
#13 ·
Hi Anthony - yeh its a bu**er when people try to rip you off - especially when they don't know what they're doing. When it comes to air-con I think it's best to stick with a specialist. The connector pipes have "O" rings which seal the joints - maybe worth checking their condition. As a matter of interest was the air-con serviced before you changed the condensor. During a proper service the system is checked for leaks.
 
#14 ·
madnoel10, to try to keep the story short. My Dad run in the back of someone, at about walking pace, at a junction, they started to go, nothing was coming so my Dad started to go and the car in front, for reasons unknown stopped and 'Dink' So my Dad's insurance paid out for the car he run into, which had a towing hitch, and paid for a new bumper on my Dad's, which the 'main agent' repaired.
Not long after my Dad asked me what I knew about air con as his wasn't blowing cold air, I said I knew the basics. My Dad took it back to the main agent to get it serviced and re-gassed but they told him the condensor was leaking. When we took the grill off and looked at the condensor, the damage was where the towing hitch on the other car had touched the condensor and the main agent hadn't seen this when it come into be repaired. I got a new condensor for him and we fittted it Friday morning but it didn't come with new 'O' rings so we thought the origanal ones would be O.K. But this morning my Dad took it to another air con agent and they have said there is all R134a all over the engine and don't know if this is the new fluid or from the 'service' before. So upto now the main agent is causing us a load of trouble because of their incompetance.
A/ They didn't see the damage to the condensor
B/ They serviced the air con after, spotted the damage and told my Dad they can put it all right for about £500.
And as I said, this is the same franchise that wanted to charge me £500 to re-place the cam belt on a Shogun that had a cam chain.:steam:
 
#15 · (Edited)
Hi Anthony - time to take stock of the situation me thinks.
1. Should you go back to main stealer - in my opinion "no"
2. The leak can only really be detected by ultra-violet light and yellow spectacles - assuming dye was added to the refridgerant in the first place.
3. Any spillage of the refrigerant could have been when you depressurised it (or possibly during the accident or subsequent repairs) - air-con should only be emptied by the special machine as it is harmful to the environment and you and me.
4. Are you certain there is a leak and of its location.
5. Can the leak be repaired - lets assume it can - hopefully with new "O" rings.
6. The engine bay should be cleaned down so no erroneous signs of refrigerant are confusing. Beware do not use a power hose.
7. Have the system serviced by someone who knows what they are doing and take it from there.

Please do not mention the name of the garage in the forum as it is forbidden to name and shame for legal reasons
A proper air-con service consistes of the following and take 90 minutes or more.
1. System is emptied under vacuum and any extracted is weighed
2. Sytem is maintained under vacuum to determine if any leaks are present.
3. System is refilled - this is done by weight calculated in grammes - this can only be done by a specialist machine.
4. During filling a special lubricant is added to prevent seals etc., form deteriorating
5. A flourescent dye is also added
6. System is run to check eficiency
7. System is checked for leaks using an ultra-violet light and orange specs.

I understand your frustration regarding the garage and what appears to be shoody workmanship and poor ethics - I sincerely think it's time to walk away as from what you say they appear to be incompetent (I dread to think of them working at brakes, etc).

I hope the above comments have been helpful and hope you get it sorted without too much hassle.
Good Luck
 
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