Air Con

[dwtg]

How do i know when the air con needs regassing? i wont notice the decline in the starndard of the air con unit as i only have it a few months.

[Mooly]

Good question, no simple answer ! The refridgerant (the gas) is calculated and added by weight, if you look under the bonnet there is a sticker telling you how much. The gas has to be recovered by a special recovery machine, and it should be possible to weigh the gas this way. Only then can you see what has been lost. losses of 15 % a year is "normal" due to leakage from hose seals and the front seal on the compressor. The system will then be pumped down to a vacuum for 30 mins or so which removes moisture from the system. New gas is added along with a small quantity of compressor oil (PAG Type has to be correct one) to make up for any that came out with the gas during recovery. It's a very inexact science in many ways.

The gas carries the oil around during use and if you are low on gas the compressor may be starved of oil. Had mine regassed at 3 years old, and the performance was better. Always leave aircon on (or at least use very regularly) to keep system in good order. Mine has never been off in 6 years. I would also bite the bullet and get it done by a dealer as they will have the correct oil etc. I have seen so called profesionals using "equivalent" gasses etc (Is that still allowed) which is not good. Don't chance it, it has to be right.

[stoneyfordni]

how olds your car fella

mates 04 t sport has considerably warmer air con than my 06 , id say every 3 yrs get it checked /regassed ,

SEAT ( old car) used to charge 80 quid for inspection and re charge dunno if toyota is similar

[dwtg]

its 05 plate. i was in kwik fit getting a wheel alignment there and they suggested it. never thought about gassing the air con. but was driving for 5 hours in the height of the heat last week and had the air con on "cold" but it never got propperly cold, or even very cool. would kwik fit do a good job?

[ae102]

dont use mine very often - had it on today and it was freezing. mines on a '53. i think its just a case of regassing if its not cold enough. i think the way garages do it is because they have enviromental factors to comply to and its a good way of making money - if it aint cold enough i would just buy a top-up can, although i dont think they are that cheap.

[ae102]

its 05 plate. i was in kwik fit getting a wheel alignment there and they suggested it. never thought about gassing the air con. but was driving for 5 hours in the height of the heat last week and had the air con on "cold" but it never got propperly cold, or even very cool. would kwik fit do a good job?

kwik-fit

[TheNissanMan]

Garages are targeted on the upsell of air con checks and top-ups... Easy way to make money especially in weather like this :)

[stoneyfordni]

far as i know bibby off rms works in the ards one

maybe send him a pm to see what he says , ask about the right lubricant etc as mentioned above

[hullupelle]

Booked my car for MOT with MR T and they also reminded me about having the aircon regassed. My car has never had aircon serviced and compared to the company car I had, the aircon definetly is worse on my CTS. Anyway, decided to go ahead as they say its now half price at £79.99! Will report back if its money well spent or not!!!!

[Parts-King]

Garages are targeted on the upsell of air con checks and top-ups... Easy way to make money especially in weather like this :)

Of course they are, just like shirt salesmen are targeted to sell ties, and car sales people to upsell to a more expensive option..................It's called business!

Read my A/C comments in this thread

A/C should be checked every few years, and it should be run at least once a week for a few minutes, not just on a few hot days of the year but on cold days too, it helps lubricate the seals and stop the gas leaking out

Kingo

[UK86_MarK]

I have noticed on previous cars that the price of re-gassing goes up during the summer months slightly!

[Parts-King]

Booked my car for MOT with MR T and they also reminded me about having the aircon regassed. My car has never had aircon serviced and compared to the company car I had, the aircon definetly is worse on my CTS. Anyway, decided to go ahead as they say its now half price at £79.99! Will report back if its money well spent or not!!!!

Half price £79.99 .......................Our special offer price is £51 for a straight re-gas/service

You need to shop around. You would pay more to diagnose an A/C fault, but for a straight service you dont want to be paying a fortune. It is important to have the correct oil pumped in along with the correct amount of gas

Kingo

[Hogie]

I used a can to top it up before, it no hassel doing it, lack of fellas doing it down my end of the country. Got it back nice and cold again. Guage on the can also. It not a professional job but it ok. But sure if its like 50 notes mite as well get a proper job done.

[hullupelle]

Booked my car for MOT with MR T and they also reminded me about having the aircon regassed. My car has never had aircon serviced and compared to the company car I had, the aircon definetly is worse on my CTS. Anyway, decided to go ahead as they say its now half price at £79.99! Will report back if its money well spent or not!!!!

Half price £79.99 .......................Our special offer price is £51 for a straight re-gas/service

You need to shop around. You would pay more to diagnose an A/C fault, but for a straight service you dont want to be paying a fortune. It is important to have the correct oil pumped in along with the correct amount of gas

Kingo

Yeah £79.99, its expensive but I get a courtesy car so that extra 20 quid or so is worth it as I don't need to take day off work.

[Parts-King]

Booked my car for MOT with MR T and they also reminded me about having the aircon regassed. My car has never had aircon serviced and compared to the company car I had, the aircon definetly is worse on my CTS. Anyway, decided to go ahead as they say its now half price at £79.99! Will report back if its money well spent or not!!!!

Half price £79.99 .......................Our special offer price is £51 for a straight re-gas/service

You need to shop around. You would pay more to diagnose an A/C fault, but for a straight service you dont want to be paying a fortune. It is important to have the correct oil pumped in along with the correct amount of gas

Kingo

Yeah £79.99, its expensive but I get a courtesy car so that extra 20 quid or so is worth it as I don't need to take day off work.

Fair enuff! It's a deal that suits you that which is the important thing

Kingo