Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 23 Jul 2013 22:53
Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car? - jonp
Hi,
The compressor is broken on a yaris.
I am contemplating getting a second hand working part & fitting it myself (with a mechanic friend!), then taking it to a local garage to get re-gassed. Few questions:

Is it ok for the compressor to drive a short distance (4miles) with zero gas?

Any advice on buying a second hand compressor? Otherwise a new non-toyota part is £405 delivered!


Any advice much appreciated
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 24 Jul 2013 01:22
Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car? - FP

AFAIK, the clutch connecting the drive pulley with the compressor will not engage if there is insufficient pressure in the system, so the compressor should not be running at all.

Can't help with the other points, I'm afraid. Someone who can will probably be along shortly.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 24 Jul 2013 12:48
Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car? - TeeCee

Is it ok for the compressor to drive a short distance (4miles) with zero gas?

Why do you care? It's being replaced anyway.....!

Secondhand compressors seem to go for about 50 quid on eBay and there are several going right now. I see there's one there now as an auction, rather than a fixed price, which is only bid up to 20 so far. Might be worth bidding 50 and waiting to see if you get it for less come Saturday.

Edit: As for the "pig in a poke" aspect of buying secondhand parts on eBay, you'd have to buy a lot of duff secondhand parts before that new one starts to look tempting......

Edited by TeeCee on 24/07/2013 at 12:49

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 24 Jul 2013 12:53
Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car? - skidpan

Is it ok for the compressor to drive a short distance (4miles) with zero gas?

Why do you care? It's being replaced anyway.....!

The OP has asked the question since he wants to replace the compressor before driving the car to get it regassed.

Thus when he drives it the car will be fitted with a replacement compressor with no gas in the system.

Back to the OP's question. Driving with no gas in the system will do no harm providing the A/C is not switched on. The compressor only runs when its switched on.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Jul 2013 09:18
Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car? - jonp
Thanks for the advice so far.

I care as I don't want to fit a new/new-second hand & cause damage. It's probably worth trying a 2nd-hand unit first.

Any tips on fitting? I guess it's a simple remove & loosen of the belt. Then refit & tighten belt, get it regassed & save hundreds from using a specialist!

Cheers
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Jul 2013 10:43
Toyota yaris 1.3 petrol 2007 - No gas in air con, can you still drive the car? - TeeCee

The OP has asked the question since he wants to replace the compressor before driving the car to get it regassed.

Ah! So blindingly obvious that even I should have spotted it.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....

From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.

Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...