air con service

Funnily enough I'm having mine done this week, started yesterday but was cut short as I needed the car. Old car had it done last year, cost £25 at a local National garage. That needed 25% top-up after 5 years of being left on.

Someone will correct me but IIRC all they do is re-fill the compressor and check for leaks in the system, then provide a report sheet showing what was found, how much topped up etc. If it all checks out you get your car back blowing ice cold air again. It's nothing fancy and can be done at any modern garage. It's well worth doing if you suspect there could be a leak or if your AC no longer blows ice cold air, or if your windows still mist up even with AC on and the temp dial set to a warm setting in the colder and wetter months.

Worth noting you should leave your AC on all the time and simply adjust the heater temp accordingly. It will keep the plumbing clean and seals from drying out and rotting which causes moisture to enter.
 
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Probably a re-gas and anti-bacterial clean - you can do the latter yourself by buying an 'air con bomb' can for about £5 from eBay. IMHO you don't need to waste money re-gassing a system that is otherwise working correctly - I'd have thought they'd check the vent temperature first.
 
What are peoples thoughts on repairing AC condensers that have missing fins due to stone chips, even if the AC still blows cold? Keen to tidy mine up, or even replace the rad but not keen on wasting money:p
 
loltim said:
What are peoples thoughts on repairing AC condensers that have missing fins due to stone chips, even if the AC still blows cold? Keen to tidy mine up, or even replace the rad but not keen on wasting money:p
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With cold engine, turn engine on and A/C on full and then just spray it with washing up liquid and water, if no cuckoo spit appears then leave it.
 
If the A/C stills works then leave alone, doing the clean will be fine but if your still blowing cold air then don't worry.
 
loltim said:
What are peoples thoughts on repairing AC condensers that have missing fins due to stone chips, even if the AC still blows cold? Keen to tidy mine up, or even replace the rad but not keen on wasting money:p
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Problem is the new one end up like that in a few weeks, I changed my parents Condenser on their Vectra (my old company car) and this had one previous condenser when I owned it.
 
RJC said:
Problem is the new one end up like that in a few weeks, I changed my parents Condenser on their Vectra (my old company car) and this had one previous condenser when I owned it.
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If I was to replace the condenser I'd probably put a strip of mesh in front of it.
 
A thorough service would include replacing the receiver dryer too. It's more of a re-gas than a service if all they are doing is taking old gas out and putting new in...
 
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