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[pscocoa]

My daughter waits until her Focus goes out of warranty and then tells me aircon needs regassing after it was done just 12 months ago. Ford wanted to book it in to check for leaks (and of course that could not be for a few days) so took it to the dreaded Kwik Fit who regassed and allegedly checked for leaks - reported none and system is working again.

Question:

1. How often do you re-gas given 12000 miles a year say - for my Omega I would say it was only every 3 or 4 years

2. Would the Kwik Fit system report leaks as they claim?

3. Are visual checks of whole system necessary to identify a leak as opposed to just seeing if your gas runs out after a month?

[Lazydocker]

Any air con place is obliged to do a leak test before re-gassing a system. I had my Omega done about 2 years ago (45k ish) and it's still cold, although not as cold as it was.

[Lazydocker]

Should add that the guy who did mine said there will be a drop in content over time. Can't remember what the exact figure was but it was either "up to 10%" or 20%

[Martian]

Don't know about our Omega, but our other car hasn't seen a regas in 4 years. Admittedly a regas would get it blowing as cold as it's supposed to, but it still blows cold enough for the recent hot spell we have experienced.

[Kevin Wood]

I'm guessing the machines used by KF would simply report if it didn't hold a vacuum. If the leak needs more detailed investigation such as pressure testing, filling with inert gas plus dye, then inspecting with UV, it would be better to take it to a specialist.

[pscocoa]

Thanks Kevin - but how do you best asess whether you think the car has a leak - if gas lasts 1 year do you think that suggests a small leak? Or is it quite common for certain types of car to need regassing once a year?

I suppose just keep an eye on it for now - maybe £49 a year is ok.

[I_want_an_Omega]

What age Focus? Ours is a 54 and still ice cold and have never been re-gassed .........

[Varche]

Our red 97 Omega still has nice cool air con and has NEVER had a regas from New.

It is quite shocking to learn that they need regular regassing.!

[Marks DTM Calib]

They should be serviced every 3 years and yes they do leak slowly.

But 1 year is WAY to fast and hints at a leak somewhere

[Pitchfork]

Thanks Kevin - but how do you best asess whether you think the car has a leak - if gas lasts 1 year do you think that suggests a small leak? Or is it quite common for certain types of car to need regassing once a year?

I suppose just keep an eye on it for now - maybe £49 a year is ok.

Had the Citroen regassed today £35 +VAT = £42
Special offer in an independant Volvo garage just outside Basingrad

[Stallion]

They should be serviced every 3 years and yes they do leak slowly.

But 1 year is WAY to fast and hints at a leak somewhere

Spot on, as it is also known for the seals on the ac pipes do dry up and leak SLOWLY overtime 

[mrgreen]

yes from what i've been told due to the flexi hoses it's accepted 3 percent leakage per year so depending on the system and what it holds depends on how often it needs regassing but 1 year is rather short, my father always has told me that running the air con is important so the seals don't dry out (he was a refridgeration engineer) so i geuss there's something in it! which remings me mine needs more gas!!

[pscocoa]

What age Focus? Ours is a 54 and still ice cold and have never been re-gassed .........

Focus is a March 2008 - looks like there must be a leak then

[Lazydocker]

yes from what i've been told due to the flexi hoses it's accepted 3 percent leakage per year so depending on the system and what it holds depends on how often it needs regassing but 1 year is rather short, my father always has told me that running the air con is important so the seals don't dry out (he was a refridgeration Technician) so i geuss there's something in it! which remings me mine needs more gas!!

I leave mine running full, auto CC all year round