I have recharged twice in a week the air conditioning circuit in my 550 of 1998. The mechanic (not a Ferrari one) used a modern machine (Bosch I think he mentioned) that attempts to detect leaks (but it did not) and used gas with a dye that leaves marks where it leaks. After carefully inspecting the visible aircon circuit they did not see any leaks. He says that to find the leak they need to remove parts to access the hidden parts of the circuit which may imply a good number of hours. Is there a spot that fails more typically that I can tell him to check first? Is this something that a non Ferrari specialized (but very experienced) mechanic can do?
Did you check the front seal of the AC compressor as well? When that fails oil and gas leak out quickly. Good luck, Stefano
The compressors are junk and leak like a sieve. About 50% of the cars that come here for the first time, the compressor is soaking wet. I have them rebuilt regularly. If it comes to needing to take anything apart to fix it I would say it is very foolish not to have a Ferrari guy do it.
Yeap. The mechanic confirmed that the compressor needs to be replaced. There is a significant leak in between the two halves. What's the part number for the compressor? I do not see it in diagram Ferrari 550 Maranello - Air Conditioning System: Page 056 | Order Online Eurospares Thank you
I certainly would not be the person to ask. Ask your Ferrari mechanic. If he really is a Ferrari mechanic he will have done many and if he is not a real Ferrari mechanic you probably don't want him removing it.
