Air Conditioning just packed up on my GTS :-(

[Nighthawk]

Hi all,

So I'm driving along yesterday and I start smelling those gases they use in the A/C systems. The smell was quite strong I figured it may be the A/C so I switch it off but keep the fans on to clear the air. I try to switch it back on and now its not working. No warning lights, no leaks of any kind underneath the car, no funny noises or sudden noises you normally associate with stuff breaking, just no cold air..... In mid July.....

1) Anyone had a similar experience before, Maserati or otherwise?
2) Any suggestions as to what's wrong with it?
3) More importantly, any recommendations on where to go to get it looked at/fixed? I'm based in North London.

Any help/advice greatly appreciated....

James

 

[CatmanV2]

How old's the car? Sounds like all your gas has leaked out.

If you can get to Hildenborough I can recommend Giallo unreservedly

C

 

[safrane]

Puncture in the system and the gass has escaped. Pressure test and leak test req I would guess.

 

[Wack61]

It's usually the condenser if the gas has leaked out, don't bother taking to halfords for one of their cans, waste of money, either take it to an A/C specialist to do a vacuum test or a maserati specialist as catman suggests.

the gas leaked out of my van so I took it to a specialist, passed the vac test which surprised him so £50 to fill it up and it's been fine for the last 2 months

 

[Nighthawk]

How old's the car? Sounds like all your gas has leaked out.

If you can get to Hildenborough I can recommend Giallo unreservedly

C

Car is 2008....

Not being funny or anything, but would someone like Kwik-fit be able to do a simple gas and pressure test on the A/C? Or does it really need a Mas specialist? On the basis most cars have A/C systems they should at least be able to provide a check to see if its knackered or just need re-gassing?

James

 

[conaero]

If it's not a piping or cooling leak the main weak point of that system is the pump, they leak out the compressor unit and coat the aux belt in oil. It needs to be not driven if this is the case as in can cause havoc. A simple inspection of the pump and belt will be apparent.

Maserati said when mine did this that the pump is the same as the Ferrari pump and was circa £3k! Mine was a warranty job so I told them to get on with it. If yours is out of warranty its the same pump as the 4200 and QP and there are aftermarket ones on EBay new from Northern Italy for £450 or speak to Marios, he fits them too.

 

[MikeyMaser]

As you've only had it few weeks, surely The Supercar Rooms should be fixing it for you under warranty?

 

[conaero]

As you've only had it few weeks, surely The Supercar Rooms should be fixing it for you under warranty?

Well yes. Any trade sale has to warranty their cars for a minimum of 3 months I beleive. It may be 6 months in reality. Dicky, please confirm?

 

[StuartW]

As you've only had it few weeks, surely The Supercar Rooms should be fixing it for you under warranty?

Correct, your warranty should cover this and this is a known weakness in the GT. If it is the compressor, it is good practise to change the various belts too while they're off.
But saying that, it may just be a leak from somewhere else which a pressure test should be able to identify

 

[CatmanV2]

Car is 2008....

Not being funny or anything, but would someone like Kwik-fit be able to do a simple gas and pressure test on the A/C? Or does it really need a Mas specialist? On the basis most cars have A/C systems they should at least be able to provide a check to see if its knackered or just need re-gassing?

James

Probably, but I'd need to be pretty confident with that particular branch. Or find a well respected A/C specialist.

I'm not saying that because it's Kwikfit. I trust our local F1 with any of our kit, and would happily take mine there (and do) because I know them all and have had nothing but highly positive experiences for the past 15 years....


C

 

[Nighthawk]

Ok, the plot thickens.....

So on closer inspection of the engine bay, there is no oil or fluids anywhere, its actually, really clean. However, when the engine is running, the bottom right-hand pulley isn't being spun by the belt. Its sort of turning a bit here and there and the belt is largely just spinning past. I think the smell I can smell is not A/C gases, but the belt getting hot because of the friction with the pulley.

I'm assuming that bottom right-hand pulley is connected to the A/C compressor, and thus why the A/C isn't working?

James

 

[Nighthawk]

Also, the Supercar rooms warrenty is 3 months and I've had the car for 6 months now....

 

[CatmanV2]

So either your belt is too loose, or (I think) the clutch on the compressor has failed.

This is assuming you've got the A/C *on* (that is the little snow flake is lit up?

C

 

[Contigo]

Mine has become less efficient and tried to regard last week but the low tap was sticking.

It's going back again to ADG before the three months is up.

 

[Nighthawk]

So either your belt is too loose, or (I think) the clutch on the compressor has failed.

This is assuming you've got the A/C *on* (that is the little snow flake is lit up?

C

Correct, the snow flake is lit up and in the 'ON' position. But whether the A/C is on or not, the belt is suppossed to spin that wheel right? Which it isn't doing....

 

[Contigo]

Open windows, turn engine on and press the snowflake button on and off, when the light is lit you should hear and loud click over the engine noise, that is your compressor turning on.

 

[ChrisQP09]

I would be asking Supercar Rooms to repair in good faith or part pay (for labour at least). Worth a try, oh and also mention that our forum is watching with intent as the dealer has a great rep here.

 

[BL330]

Sorry to report I had the air cond compressor clutch fail on my GS after 6 months of ownership too. Mind you the car was already 9 years old and had over 50,000 miles. In my case the seized clutch melted and broke the auxiliary belt one lunchtime at the office.
I wouldn't be driving your car for fear of what happened to me. Trailer it to a recommended Maserati specialists to assess and do the work. In the case of the GS it involves lifting one side of the engine to get access to remove exhaust headers to get to the air cond compressor. It may be easier for yours, let's hope.

 

[dickygrace]

Well yes. Any trade sale has to warranty their cars for a minimum of 3 months I beleive. It may be 6 months in reality. Dicky, please confirm?

The dealership are responsible for the repair if they can't prove the fault wasn't present at the point of sale. I very much doubt the fault was there as the AC has worked fine for 6 months. You are then on to your warranty which may have expired???

 

[Nighthawk]

Open windows, turn engine on and press the snowflake button on and off, when the light is lit you should hear and loud click over the engine noise, that is your compressor turning on.

Yes, I can hear a click when the A/C is switched on. The electronics are working, but it really looks like the Compressor clutch has siezed.

I think its a trailor to the garage job.... Might need to sell a kidney...

James