Any air con experts out there? (Car!)

andy_fozzy

andy_fozzy

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Hi all.
It's getting bloody hot, and my air con isn't playing ball :razz:

It gets nice and cold when first turned on - for approx 10 mins, then goes all warm and moist (ooeerr :D )

This has been going on for some time, so my little bro-in-law re-gassed it, BUT he used a half empty can as he works for Halfords and they usually throw half used ones away.
Could this be something to do with my problem?
I though it was a bad idea from the start.....

Oh it's a 52 plate Focus!

And help appreciated :thumbs:
 
if you can get the cans for free try that but don't buy a full one, if you take it to a A/C specialist they have a machine that checks for leaks before refilling it.

if it has a pinprick size leak in the condenser it'll all leak out over a few days , A/C can be expensive to fix, i've paid £200 for a condenser and £300 for a compressor on various cars .

I wouldn't faff about with cans unless they were free
 
Too little gas is the usual cause, but too much gas can also cause the system to cut out as the high pressure switch cuts in. The self help A/C regassing solutions tend to have god awful gauges on them which doesn't inspire confidence when you're trying to get your system to hold 750grams.
 
Last time my aircon needed gassing I got Kwikfit to do it------only £35Brilliant.:thumbs:
 
andy_fozzy said:
help appreciated :thumbs:
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Open all windows..................drive fast:lol:









Oh....................no need to thank me.......always willing to help out!
 
Get a proper a/c speciallist to look at it.

They'll do a vacuum test, a pressure test, put dye in to find the leak that the old gas got out through, possibly replace the dryer. and will be able to fix any problems.

And you'll get the correct amount of gas and oil (of the correct type).


And it'll still only be £60 or so (plus any repair parts)
 
Thanyou all for your replies.
I might take a chance on KwikFit, although as a rule of thumb, I'd NEVER consider using them, but maybe worth a punt for £35.

If not, my local garage deal with A/C and they are very reasonable and reliable, so might even take it to them.

Bloody nightmare :razz:
 
TheWombat said:
Last time my aircon needed gassing I got Kwikfit to do it------only £35Brilliant.:thumbs:
Click to expand...

But it was £700 for the new brakes , suspension, 4 new tyres, and an exhaust in the "free" safety check
 
andy_fozzy said:
Thanyou all for your replies.
I might take a chance on KwikFit, although as a rule of thumb, I'd NEVER consider using them, but maybe worth a punt for £35.

If not, my local garage deal with A/C and they are very reasonable and reliable, so might even take it to them.

Bloody nightmare :razz:
Click to expand...

Aircon still working fine after 1yr. They give a guarantee with it too.I will certainly use them again when the wifes car needs doing.
 
UPDATE:

Called Kwik Fit, it's now £45 :razz:

Also just called my local garage, who amongst other things do specialize in A/C.
I told him about Kwik and he said steer WELL CLEAR. They are not A/C specialists, and the car needs putting on the tester to see what the problem is.
There is no way of knowing that it needs re-gassing without putting it on the tester, he says........

The cheap can are what Kwik Fit use, and they are useless.
It can put too much or not enough 'gas' into the system, either way is useless. If there's too much, the A/C won't work as the pressure will be too high. And if there's not enough, that's still no good.
The gauges on the cans are crap he said, and don't really help at all.

So is my local garage trying to con me :shrug:
Half an hour labour charge - £25 plus VAT, and may need an A/C service - £85 plus VAT, and may need more parts - lot's of ££££££££££ :eek:

What do I do :bang:
 
Look in your local directory for a car A/C specialist, it's who I use.

You need some lubricant adding as well to the gas, and this changes, as does the amount of gas.
 
Kwik fit (and most garages) just have a machine that they plug in and leave to it. Thats fine if there is no real fault - say the gas has gradually been lost though the slightly porous rubber pipes or flex of the joints.

But if there is an actual problem they have no clue. You could try asking a local bodyshop who they use. They will probably have a mobile guy who comes in to sort things for them. I know my Dad has a deal with a couple of bodyshops.

If you talk to a local garage ask if they can fabricate a/c pipes. The ones that just use an automated machine will probably not be able to.
 
andy_fozzy said:
UPDATE:

Called Kwik Fit, it's now £45 :razz:

Also just called my local garage, who amongst other things do specialize in A/C.
I told him about Kwik and he said steer WELL CLEAR. They are not A/C specialists, and the car needs putting on the tester to see what the problem is.
There is no way of knowing that it needs re-gassing without putting it on the tester, he says........

The cheap can are what Kwik Fit use, and they are useless.
It can put too much or not enough 'gas' into the system, either way is useless. If there's too much, the A/C won't work as the pressure will be too high. And if there's not enough, that's still no good.
The gauges on the cans are crap he said, and don't really help at all.

So is my local garage trying to con me :shrug:
Half an hour labour charge - £25 plus VAT, and may need an A/C service - £85 plus VAT, and may need more parts - lot's of ££££££££££ :eek:

What do I do :bang:
Click to expand...

As I stated earlier ---The aircon on my Jeep Grand Cherokee is still working perfectly Iyr on. Not that I know much about aircon but they gave me a computer printout on the system status at the time and a full guarantee. Like you I was initially a bit concerned----but thy could not have been more friendly and helpful which is why I am happy to return. Check out the branch and see what they have to say about your garages concerns.It was a year ago but as I remember the car was plugged into some pretty expensive kit and the process including system analysis took about 45 mins--1hr I think.
 
andy_fozzy said:
The cheap can are what Kwik Fit use, and they are useless.
Click to expand...

I'd be very surprised if they use cans, they'll have a machine for testing it , I doubt the gas has just leaked out through the rubber , you probably have a leak through a broken pipe or in the condenser but the long and the short of it is it's going to cost money to find out, until you get it tested you won't know if it's £50 or £500.

It's cold and wet now anyway :D
 
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