Air Conditioning Compressor repair/rebuild

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The Sanden air conditioning compressor on my 1999 model 406 is leaking internally. For the past 5 or 6 months, I have been searching for a replacement compressor. New would be nice, but a different brand - Nissens, I think, - was quoted to me at over $800 plus freight, plus fitting. As much as I love that car, I'm not sure if want to spend that much money on one item on a 20+ year old car.

I've not had any success chasing a second-hand air conditioning compressor for the car. It seems that it's an odd or unusual model. And it's certainly very different to the compressor on the 2003 model 406 that I recently bought.

Someone in Wagga Wagga recently told me about an air conditioning specialist in Brisbane called Mr Cool. And they say that they can rebuild compressors, even variable pressure types. Apparently, that's something that's not common in the industry.

So, my question is, has anyone here had any experience with Mr Cool that they'd like to share. I'm especially interested in knowing about experiences of compressor repairs or rebuilds, but any or all personal experiences with the business will be welcome.

Thanks, as always, for your insights.
Andrew
 
I wonder if one from a 306 could be made to fit, photo is of a Sanden SD7V16 I have from a 306 with 1.8 XU7 engine. I can take a photo tomorrow of a 1998 XSi with 2.0l XU10 to compare.
 

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According to the Cooldrive A/C catalog, the SD7V16 in my 306 is also used in some 406 but with a different head and pulley diameter. What model number is your Sanden? My model of SD7V16 is #1106 which is (and #1228) replaced by #1227 and Repco show that model fits
  • To Suit: Citroen Xantia 2.0L 01/1994 - 12/2001
  • Xsara 1.6L, 1.8L & 2.0L 01/1997 - 12/2005
  • Peugeot 306 2.0L 01/1994 - 12/2002
  • 406 2.0L 01/1999 - 12/2003
 

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I bought a replacement Nissens compressor for my Renault Megane. It has only been on for a few months, but has been fine. It was a direct replacement for the Delphi one that was original equipment. Best part was I bought it from the UK for $520 landed, being much better than the $780 to $1100 quoted for a replacement, not including fitting.

I wouldn’t bother with a second hand unit, given it could be as tired as the one you are replacing.
 
AlexB said:
I wonder if one from a 306 could be made to fit, photo is of a Sanden SD7V16 I have from a 306 with 1.8 XU7 engine. I can take a photo tomorrow of a 1998 XSi with 2.0l XU10 to compare.
Click to expand...
I honestly don’t know.

I’ve been looking for the notes that I made about the compressor and I can’t find them. It’s driving me crazy (or maybe crazier than I already am).

The air conditioning people I’ve been seeing locally have given me photos of the mounting pattern. When I have emailed them to sellers overseas, I get replies like, What? Never seen that one before.

Thanks. Not helpful.

And then I tell them that it’s off a Peugeot 406 HDi and if they reply, they usually say something like, Not possible.

But that number you quoted above is definitely not the same as mine. I don’t recognise that number.

I don’t know if it’s worth your time to take photos for me. But if you have nothing better to do …

Thanks for your help so far!

Cheers,
Andrew
 
AlexB said:
According to the Cooldrive A/C catalog, the SD7V16 in my 306 is also used in some 406 but with a different head and pulley diameter. What model number is your Sanden? My model of SD7V16 is #1106 which is (and #1228) replaced by #1227 and Repco show that model fits
  • To Suit: Citroen Xantia 2.0L 01/1994 - 12/2001
  • Xsara 1.6L, 1.8L & 2.0L 01/1997 - 12/2005
  • Peugeot 306 2.0L 01/1994 - 12/2002
  • 406 2.0L 01/1999 - 12/2003
Click to expand...
Wait!
How did you get a look at the Cooldrive catalogue?

I haven’t been able to. And the friendly staff at the Wagga Wagga branch keep telling me to go away because I’m not in the trade!
 
alan moore said:
I bought a replacement Nissens compressor for my Renault Megane. It has only been on for a few months, but has been fine. It was a direct replacement for the Delphi one that was original equipment. Best part was I bought it from the UK for $520 landed, being much better than the $780 to $1100 quoted for a replacement, not including fitting.

I wouldn’t bother with a second hand unit, given it could be as tired as the one you are replacing.
Click to expand...
I was looking at second hand only because I can’t find a new unit at a reasonable price.

And then, as I said to AlexB above, overseas sellers keep telling me that they have never seen anything like mine.

All of the above is why I’m interested in getting my compressor rebuilt. But only if I can get someone with personal experience from that business.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
There are some affordable new ones here, if you can pick yours from the specs--
alvadi.ee

AC compressor for Peugeot 406 SEDAN/ESTATE 04.1999-04.2004

AC compressor - Buy high-quality car parts for Peugeot 406 SEDAN/ESTATE 04.1999-04.2004 at reasonable prices. We deliver all over the world. Quality guarantee. Get advice from professionals on ALVADI.EE
alvadi.ee alvadi.ee

If you post the VIN, somebody with the parts lists may be able to say which matches.
 
Ideally don't buy s/h units unless you just want the AC to work even if a short time. I've replaced the unit in the 308 twice now with s/h as there are so many low km units available for a fraction of a new one installed but not tempted to do the same with the 03 C5 as they will all be stuffed by now.

Good luck with hunting the correct replacement
 
seasink said:
There are some affordable new ones here, if you can pick yours from the specs--
[/URL]

If you post the VIN, somebody with the parts lists may be able to say which matches.
Click to expand...
Interesting site, seasink! Thanks. There are some items that they stock that I haven’t seen anywhere else. But that’s not what I was here for.

The VIN is VF38BRHZE80848192

And I found some of the information that I had compiled earlier this year. The original Sanden number is 1228E. I can’t find that number on the site.

I’ll be very interested in what someone can come up with.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
dimistyle said:
Ideally don't buy s/h units unless you just want the AC to work even if a short time. I've replaced the unit in the 308 twice now with s/h as there are so many low km units available for a fraction of a new one installed but not tempted to do the same with the 03 C5 as they will all be stuffed by now.

Good luck with hunting the correct replacement
Click to expand...
Thanks for the information.

As I’ve indicated, my contemplating a second hand unit is only because I can’t find a new one at a price that I consider reasonable.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
There are Sanden 1228 other brand equivalents for Citroen and Peugeot on the alvadi.ee site. Do an English language site search.
 
new Sanden 1228 on aliexpress $349.83 inc freight, just replaced the compressor with similar in my c5, even the plug was the correct one, you will need to correct the oil level & I changed to Hychill, (200cc) works very well.
 
seasink said:
There are Sanden 1228 other brand equivalents for Citroen and Peugeot on the alvadi.ee site. Do an English language site search.
Click to expand...
I didn’t find anything last night. But I’ll have another look later today.
Thanks, seasink

(Why does autocorrect keep wanting me to change your name to seasick? Or sometimes seaside? I have to be very careful when typing your name to ensure that I don’t call you by a wrong name!)
 
martook said:
new Sanden 1228 on aliexpress $349.83 inc freight, just replaced the compressor with similar in my c5, even the plug was the correct one, you will need to correct the oil level & I changed to Hychill, (200cc) works very well.
Click to expand...
I never even thought about AliExpress, to be honest.

I’ll have to check the mounting holes when I find one. That’s been the problem for the European sellers, I think.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
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It's time for a photo of the green Sanden label and rear head of your mystery compressor.
googling Sanden 1228E brings up 2nd hand Sanden SD7V16 #1228E from a Citroen picasso, which again leads me to wonder how different it is to the one in a 306, see photo below. For both Citroen and Peugeot Cooldrive show 1227 replacing 1228, but no mention of 1228E. The aliexpress units are likely to be counterfeit.
Repco have a good picture you can compare yours to.

And this link shows nice pictures and the dimensions of an NRF brand equivalent unit with the VQU Head as used on my 306. https://www.trodo.com/compressor-air-conditioning-nrf-32040
 

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My 05 fiat ducato uses a SANDEN SD7H15 MODEL NO 7882,looks the same as yours .try HDI WRECKERS IN MELBOURN 0439454889 they do hyundai ducato and iveco ,so will have a second hand one ,i baught a new one a few years ago for something like $600 ,
 
AlexB said:
It's time for a photo of the green Sanden label and rear head of your mystery compressor.
googling Sanden 1228E brings up 2nd hand Sanden SD7V16 #1228E from a Citroen picasso, which again leads me to wonder how different it is to the one in a 306, see photo below. For both Citroen and Peugeot Cooldrive show 1227 replacing 1228, but no mention of 1228E. The aliexpress units are likely to be counterfeit.
Repco have a good picture you can compare yours to.
[/URL]

And this link shows nice pictures and the dimensions of an NRF brand equivalent unit with the VQU Head as used on my 306. https://www.trodo.com/compressor-air-conditioning-nrf-32040
Click to expand...
I can’t find the green sticker.

Unless it’s under the grease and road grime, it’s not there any longer. I’ll attempt to get it degreased soon but until then, I’m not able to provide the requested photo.

I don’t know if this photo is of any help.

it shows four mounting points. There’s one which is partly hidden. Any other photos - except for the green sticker!, please ask.

Cheers,
Andrew
 

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I believe that picture to be a Delphi a/c compressor
search ebay for 6560502 and compare.
 
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AlexB said:
I believe that picture to be a Delphi a/c compressor
search ebay for 6560502 and compare.
Click to expand...
That's not what the air conditioning service person told me, and I've been going on what they said.

Nevertheless, what is it about my photo that leads you to believe it's a Delphi, not a Sanden?

Cheers,
Andrew

PS Sorry for my late reply. My notifications emails have suddenly begun going to junk mail! I'll have to keep a watch on that.
 
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