Air Con 'charging' question

newbiejim

newbiejim

newbiejim

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Joined
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South Scotland
I understand that air con needs 'recharged' periodically, my question is typically how long between recharges and how much does this cost?
 
Depends on the car. My last recharge was about 75 pounds. From memory, it needs doing every 2-3 years, but my memory isn't that good!!!
 
I kinda thought it would depend on car etc, mine is an extremely effeminate Yaris :o , I *think* the air con should be colder than it seems so it may be that it requires this done, air con is superb in summer
 
typically 2-3 years, its pretty common that once air-con dies it stays dead unless you own for many years from new. Not really worthwhile on cars older than 2000 reg as its likely other AC components will be crappy/leaky/damaged. If so you may end up recharging it every few months and never have true air con operation.

So in summary it depends wholly on the car, and importantly the age too.
 
Ultra_Extreme said:
typically 2-3 years, its pretty common that once air-con dies it stays dead unless you own for many years from new. Not really worthwhile on cars older than 2000 reg as its likely other AC components will be crappy/leaky/damaged. If so you may end up recharging it every few months and never have true air con operation.

So in summary it depends wholly on the car, and importantly the age too.
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This is the problem i'm having atm. First i found the condensor had a hole in it. Replaced that with a second hand unit. The charge in the system stayed for about 2 months. I had it checked out and turns out the pipe joints had rusted and broken the seal in the system. I've just bought second hand pipes (they seem ok, no rust or anything) and i'm about to get them fitted. Don't hold out much hope though :(
 
I paid so much money to get my air con working when it died.
First a recharge, then a compresser. Then just as the auto sparky was telling me that the condensor would need replacing, I found some info about blower control units. Sourced one myself and fitted, and was amazed when I started to get cold air again. Should have cost about £100 to fix from the start, but ended up spending about £600 all in with the uneccessary parts and labour :(
 
newbiejim said:
I understand that air con needs 'recharged' periodically, my question is typically how long between recharges and how much does this cost?
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Doesnt actually EVER need re-charging if its used all the time. Remember, air conditioning is exactly that. An air conditioner. Its not a chiller unit.....use it with warm air and its fine...leave it on all the time and adjust the temp accordingly and you'll never need to service or recharge it.....
 
Oracle said:
Doesnt actually EVER need re-charging if its used all the time. Remember, air conditioning is exactly that. An air conditioner. Its not a chiller unit.....use it with warm air and its fine...leave it on all the time and adjust the temp accordingly and you'll never need to service or recharge it.....
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Dunno bout that m8, air con gasses will eventually munch the pipes and leak. sure might hel0p to be always on but no way will that mean, never break.
 
Oracle said:
Doesnt actually EVER need re-charging if its used all the time. Remember, air conditioning is exactly that. An air conditioner. Its not a chiller unit.....use it with warm air and its fine...leave it on all the time and adjust the temp accordingly and you'll never need to service or recharge it.....
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what are you talking about, a chiller unit is exactly what it is. And yes, the gas will slowly make its way through the pipes/seals over time.
 
no, its a conditioner, the condenser causes it to chill with the aid of the fan.

In 10 years of my grandad owning a 7 series BM with aircon (which is on all the time) he has NEVER had it serviced or 'refilled' and its colder than my mums 53 plate Yaris!
 
First charge should be when the car is four to five years old really as the gas does escape over time. You shouldnt leave it until it doesnt work as that means there is no pressure and moisture can get into the system which will corrode very very quickly. Also without the gas there is nothing to keep the seals lubricated as the oil is held in the gas which helps it travel around the system. If the seals dry out they need replacing and every joint will need to be split which works out very expensive especially if its then you find out the compressor bearings are corroded.

As an idication my car which normally takes 900gms R134, when charged at four years old only had 700gms left in the system. Recharges vary from about £60 up.
 
Oracle said:
no, its a conditioner, the condenser causes it to chill with the aid of the fan.

In 10 years of my grandad owning a 7 series BM with aircon (which is on all the time) he has NEVER had it serviced or 'refilled' and its colder than my mums 53 plate Yaris!
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actually its the evaporator which chills the air, maybe you should stick to what you know ;)
 
You mustn't attempt this yourself. It's very dangerous gas/fluid and there are strict laws governing with working with it :)

<coming from someone who once removed an air con hose only to freeze the side of the tractor he was working on>
 
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