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[The Barge Captain]

What with summer being on it's way and all, and the aircon in my car never having worked since i bought it last autum, then its time to get it sorted.  Now at £40 + vat for a re-gas  i wouldn't like to waste too much money on this if it is no good.
So i'm wondering if there is any point in stripping out and replacing seals or anything else that is likely to give me a problem before i get it gassed?
Any part numbers would be handy.
Thanks.

[Kevin Wood]

Does the system still have any gas in it?

This will tell you if it's leaky or not. Gauges from the likes of Halfords can measure the low side pressure and give you some idea of the system condition. Alternatively, does the compressor run when the air con's on? There is a pressure switch which stops the compressor running if the pressure is low.

TBH, for 40 quid there's not much you could do yourself. A pressure gauge would cost a good chunk of that.

If they're any good, as part of the service, they should evacuate the system, check for leaks, change the dryer if necessary and refill with the correct quantity of refrigerant and compressor lubricant. Ask if they're going to do these steps. If they're going to just squirt some gas in go elsewhere.

Kevin

[The Barge Captain]

If i turn the eco swith off (no light on the buton) the clutch engages on the compressor, so i guess the lp switch isn't tripped.

[x25xe]

As Kevin says.  By the fact that the compressor is engaging, I would suspect that there is gas in the system therefore fairly safe to say that there are no leaks.  As Kevin says, a decent outfit will check for leaks in any case.

It is vital that they do the service as already said above.  After it is done and the system is working again, make sure that you run the air con for a minimum of 10 minutes at least twice a month.  This keep the seals is the system nice a moist and prevents them drying out.

[Marks DTM Calib]

If it still has gas pressure but, is low.....there is no need to vac the system as no mositure will have got in or oil got out....in which case its a simple top up....

[Matchless]

If the clutch is engaging then there is some refrigerant still in it and if its been like that for 6 months or so then its as gas tight as any.
Take it to be topped-up, they will be able to tell from the gauges if the compressor is working properly and check that the expansion valve is regulating correctly. Hopefully it just needs the top-up to restore cooling.

[The Barge Captain]

Checked that the compressor is still engaging thisalvo, and the flippin thing isn't any more    It used to a couple of months ago.
Can i link out the pressure switch (where is it?) for a few moments just to prove that there isn't a problem with the electrics / clutch on the compressor?

[Kevin Wood]

Can i link out the pressure switch (where is it?) for a few moments just to prove that there isn't a problem with the electrics / clutch on the compressor?

It would probably be easy to do by shorting the pins on the pressure switch but I wouldn't until the system is filled with refrigerant. If there is an electrical issue to sort it will be straightforward once the system is filled whereas if you damage the compressor by running it empty....

Kevin

[Jimbob]

Kwikfit, well mine is, are offering Aircon Recharge, or no charge £45
link is on the left side of http://www.kwik-fit.com/mot-testing-and-servicing.asp

May be worth a look.

Mine isnt as cold as I would like so debating beteen them, and my usual guy who I trust at £75 (or was last year)


Text from kwik fit site, sounds fair to me! :

De-mist quicker by using your Air-Con system to create dry warm air rather than the normal humid air from outside. Manufacturers recommend that Air-Con systems are recharged every 2 years.

Without being fully charged, your Air-Con will be less effective - putting more strain on the engine and using more fuel than necessary.

In under an hour, our specially trained technicians will show you the difference in your Air-Con system. We will show you the change in temperature and humidity in the air before and after the recharge.

You only pay with results. If your coolest air-con vent temperature doesn't improve by 10% or more - you pay nothing.*

Air-con recharges are available in 560 Kwik-Fit centres across the UK. Offer applies to retail customers only. Ask in centre for details.

*Please note if the external air temperature around the car is less than 9 degrees Celsiusit may affect the results of the air-conditioning recharge test. In these circumstances it is at the Manager’s discretion whether to offer a refund with results less than 10%.

[Kevin Wood]

Kwikfit, well mine is, are offering Aircon Recharge, or no charge £45

Ask them what they're going to do for that. If they aren't equipped to check the system for leaks and fix any other issues that might exist you'd be just as well off going and buying a can of R134a and squirting some in yourself.

Can of refirgerant plus low side pressure checking gauge is 30 quid on Halfords trade card.

Kevin

[Bo Bo]

Kwikfit, well mine is, are offering Aircon Recharge, or no charge £45

Ask them what they're going to do for that. If they aren't equipped to check the system for leaks and fix any other issues that might exist you'd be just as well off going and buying a can of R134a and squirting some in yourself.

Can of refirgerant plus low side pressure checking gauge is 30 quid on Halfords trade card.

Kevin

Just gave my local one a call & they said vacuum, pressure test & re-charge with dye, sounds pretty good for £45. I need mine doing & I'm tempted to give them a try...

[Jimbob]

aye, me too, the guarantee'd 10%+ improvement is a nice idea.

I presume when they do the 1st measurements, if they reckon it is working well enough they will say no guarantee as we dont think it needs going, but if you insist....

[Kevin Wood]

Just gave my local one a call & they said vacuum, pressure test & re-charge with dye, sounds pretty good for £45. I need mine doing & I'm tempted to give them a try...

In that case it sounds a good deal. May give that a go myself, actually, although I do have an air con specialist just up the road from me. I guess it's a good argument for beating the price down if they want more than 45 quid!

Kevin

[cdx25]

Dont know if you get down this way (Plymouth) but I have the proper gauges, vacuum pumps etc.  The only problem with topups is that you dont know how much is in there to start with.  This is why people use a vac pump to start from zero and then add the right amount of refrigerant.  Doing a proper vac down boils off any moisture too which is good. Having said that, you shouldnt have any moisture in there if there is pressure still in the system.  Adding cans is OK, but dont add too many!

Jon

[Kevin Wood]

Dont know if you get down this way (Plymouth) but I have the proper gauges, vacuum pumps etc.  The only problem with topups is that you dont know how much is in there to start with.  This is why people use a vac pump to start from zero and then add the right amount of refrigerant.  Doing a proper vac down boils off any moisture too which is good. Having said that, you shouldnt have any moisture in there if there is pressure still in the system.  Adding cans is OK, but dont add too many!

Jon

Hi Jon,

That's good to know. It's a shame I don't venture down your way more often.

The symptoms with mine are that when the system is running the low side pressure as measured with a Halfords gauge is in the right ball park - so I haven't added any refrigerant, but the cooling performance is pretty weak. When you first start the system the high side connection from the compressor gets hot immediately and the low side gets cold but after a minute or two  they're warm to the touch and cool to the touch respectively. Makes me wonder if it's icing up internally due to moisture in the refrigerant?

Kevin