Air con re-gas?

[jesus]

It's not blowing ice cold like it usually has done. Will it need a re-gas perhaps? Where is best to take it that won't bugger it up? ATS or somewhere like that?

Thank you

 

[Jekyll]

Id like to know this too. Its normally £50 so if its all the same anywhere then ill just get it done anywhere.

Halfords even do it.

 

[Valver16]

Was looking into getting the meg done. Halfords stores I'd 40 for clean and regas anyone trusted halfords with this?

 

[tonksy26]

'coolcar' are based in rochdale but will come out and regas it for you. Check for leaks and things aswell. £50 I think they charge.

 

[NorthloopCup]

Tbh, there's not a lot that you can get wrong with regassing a/c, so I'd be pretty confident that even a trained monkey could do it!
The machines now will remove, vacuum and regas the system whilst you do other stuff.

Make sure they vac the system for a good 20-30 minutes minimum though as this is what pulls the moisture out of the system and makes the a/c more effective.

 

[Rob]

@jesus If it's randomly not blowing cold any more, a re-gas won't fix this. It's a huge misconception that aircon can just 'run out of gas'.

Air con is a sealed system, if it's lost all its gas you have a leak. Simple.

Take it to kwikfit, because if they can't fill it up (pressure test) they won't charge you. They'll also indentify the fault. Clio system is dead simple and easy to get to, so you just get them to identify, you change, take it back and have it filled up and pay this time around.

 

[McGherkin]

Look for any bright green oil/fluid leaking out of anywhere, particularly the AC condenser. When I hit a bird you could see it in the corner of the condenser, like so:

If it's obviously leaking then get it sorted first before you try to charge it, because you'll only be dumping aircon refrigerant into the atmosphere.

Get Kwik Fit to do it, make sure as NorthloopCup says they vacuum it down properly and make sure they put in 600 +/- 35 grams of R134.

 

[Rob]

Look for any bright green oil/fluid leaking out of anywhere, particularly the AC condenser. When I hit a bird you could see it in the corner of the condenser, like so:

If it's obviously leaking then get it sorted first before you try to charge it, because you'll only be dumping aircon refrigerant into the atmosphere.

Get Kwik Fit to do it, make sure as NorthloopCup says they vacuum it down properly and make sure they put in 600 +/- 35 grams of R134.

It's only green if there's dye in the system chap. So he might not be able to see it.

 

[McGherkin]

I know, but worth checking.

 

[jesus]

I think it's still working but it's hardly effective. I can feel a difference from the cold fan when I switch it on though. If it's not been regassed before then of course it will need doing at some point.

Where is best to take it? Can any garage do it? On Groupon there are a few at £20-30, but Kwikfit and ATS etc. charge £50.

 

[Jekyll]

Halfords was doing it for £30 recently.

 

[Blerg]

As said above. If it's been regassed previously then there's a chance uv dye is in the system in which case you can possibly trace the leak yourself.
Don't take to a Halfords retail store as they just use a top up bottle and not a machine connected to the high and low ports which won't tell you anything. Take it to a Halfords Autocentre who will do the correct procedure as noted above including a pressure check, vacuum regas and dye and give you a full run down on request.
As above kwik fit will also do the same. Any F Gas qualified tech which is a legal requirement will or atleast should know exactly what to do.

Other diy things to check first are whether the compressor is activating. This can tell you a couple of things, the main being if it does active then there's enough gas to activate the pressure switch to allow the ecu to activate, which would jist require a regas. If it doesn't then you could have a leak or other failure. As said above its a misconception gas just disappears, gas does slowly sleep past the seals but takes several years but air con should be serviced every couple of years to replace the pag oil and remove moisture to prevent component failure.

My personal opinion is if you can find a garage who use nitrogen to carry out pressure and leak tests your assured they know what they're doing. Alternately any one F Gas trained should be fine just to get the job done
I would expect a good service should be 40 minimum and as far as 80 for a mobile guy who would know their stuff.
At Halfords Autocentre it's 49 at the moment and the store is less but isn't a proper air con service, people get misled by the cheap price. Ask what your getting and request a report after. (gas removed, replaced, high and low pressure port readings and dye etc)

 

[Diagro]

Tbh, It should also be tested for Pressure not just vacuum tested like many places do...

The wifes Megane will hold a vac fine, but when you fill it up its gone within 2 days.
But i cba looking for that leak

 

[jesus]

As said above. If it's been regassed previously then there's a chance uv dye is in the system in which case you can possibly trace the leak yourself.
Don't take to a Halfords retail store as they just use a top up bottle and not a machine connected to the high and low ports which won't tell you anything. Take it to a Halfords Autocentre who will do the correct procedure as noted above including a pressure check, vacuum regas and dye and give you a full run down on request.
As above kwik fit will also do the same. Any F Gas qualified tech which is a legal requirement will or atleast should know exactly what to do.

Other diy things to check first are whether the compressor is activating. This can tell you a couple of things, the main being if it does active then there's enough gas to activate the pressure switch to allow the ecu to activate, which would jist require a regas. If it doesn't then you could have a leak or other failure. As said above its a misconception gas just disappears, gas does slowly sleep past the seals but takes several years but air con should be serviced every couple of years to replace the pag oil and remove moisture to prevent component failure.

My personal opinion is if you can find a garage who use nitrogen to carry out pressure and leak tests your assured they know what they're doing. Alternately any one F Gas trained should be fine just to get the job done
I would expect a good service should be 40 minimum and as far as 80 for a mobile guy who would know their stuff.
At Halfords Autocentre it's 49 at the moment and the store is less but isn't a proper air con service, people get misled by the cheap price. Ask what your getting and request a report after. (gas removed, replaced, high and low pressure port readings and dye etc)

Thanks for such detailed information! Exactly what I need

How will I check if the compressor is activating?

There's a chance it might never have been serviced - I've owned it 4 years and not got it done.

 

[Chrisgti6]

Thanks for such detailed information! Exactly what I need :smile:

How will I check if the compressor is activating?

There's a chance it might never have been serviced - I've owned it 4 years and not got it done.

2 ways, firstly you should hear the compressor kicking in. Engine running, open the bonnet and click the AC on, you should hear a click and the revs should increase to compensate.

You should also be able to see the compressor spinning. They have a clutch system, so the outer part of the pulley will always be spinning with the AUX belt, but as you turn on the AC the inside part will grab and start to spin. Take a look for it spinning.

If the compressor isn't firing up, it's likely to be that the pressure is too low in the system. Needs checking with an AC specialist, or at least somewhere with the correct machinary. It can be other things, like a dodgy pressure switch, broken compressor clutch btu if you've not had it serviced in 4 years, it's likely to need a regas.

 

[Blerg]

As above, low or no gas means pressure switch won't allow the compressor to activate. Listen for the click if your unsure what the clutch free wheel pulley looks like.
Four years and no regas sounds like your culprit.
Just get it to a garage with the correct equipment and request uv dye so if it leaks later down the line you'll easily spot and expect to pay around 50 quid or a touch cheap if hey have a deal on.

 

[jesus]

Thank you both

I've noticed the revs increase and it does get slightly cooler when I press the A/C button. I think I'll try a regas after double checking the above. Cheers again!

 

[sluggy]

Any idea what a new a/c condenser would cost and fit ...on my 182 ..halfords said it's got a leak no gas in what so ever ..chap reckons it could be condenser. .sounds expensive. ..

 

[McGherkin]

I bought one from renparts for not a lot, fitted it myself no problem too.

 

[Blerg]

If you got no gas in there, which you can check by briefly pressing one of the schrader valve cores....whip the bumper off and the condenser is infront of the radiator, providing there's no gas in there its definitely a diy job but will need to be vac'd and charged after.
Probably about 80 quid for a pattern condenser and would imagine an hour and a half to fit labour wise.
Hope that helps

 

[James Sturrock]

May be worth when having it re gassed having your receiver drier changed, these are serviceable items and very rarely are changed! If these are blocked that will In turn cause your air con to not run to its full potential! The receiver drier takes all of the moisture out of the system and as I said if it is blocked it will cause you issues