quiksilverly

The left front strut leaks when it's below 32 F. I will come out and see the car down in front. I unlock the car and you can hear the expansion tank pushing air into the front struts but the air just pushes right past the rubber seal on the air inlet housing on the front left strut. I have actually been able to sneek my hand in there and feel the air pushing past it. If you warm the car up sometimes the strut will take air. Clearly this past week was a challenge as far as cold weather goes. It was hit and miss all week and my wife drove me in one day to work LOL. But I'm trying to think of how this is happening. I imagine the rubber expands or contracts with the temperature...but I'm not sold on that idea quite yet. For now I've been trying to get up earlier and start the car and let it run for 35-40 min to warm the engine up so the strut will warm up. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Any ideas?

mishar

That's actually very strait forward since you found the leak. Replace that strut before it kills your compressor.

It leaks just when it is cold because that rubber o-ring gets stiff and can't seal the gap. When it is warm and softer air pushes it in the gap and seals it.

quiksilverly

yeah, I'm already looking for one. Hey on another note. How do you install these sun shade clips I got from you. I don't want to break anything...any tips tricks???

mishar

PM sent.

quiksilverly

Also, I was thinking about the compressor as well so in the mornings I let it warm up in "jack mode" so the compressor wouldn't run till overheat. Then when I come out to the car to leave I put it in comfort mode and cross my fingers LOL. It's been good lately.

mishar

Russians have more experience with that kind of temperatures. They use barbecue as a preheater. Sometimes they get well done Moskvitch.