Aircon Re-gas

Soldato
Joined
29 May 2010
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Location
Tampa, Florida
So, it's warm enough to test out the aircon!

5 minutes of driving about and the air isn't cold... wonderful.


Stop off at Halfords who want £49.99!!!! for the bottle and gauge.... I think not!

Is there a cheaper way of doing it rather than paying £50 for me to do it, or £50 for someone else to do it?
 
I wouldn't use the stuff from halfords. R134a is very poisonous. Also every car requires a diffrent ammount
It should really be done by a pro who will empty the system then refill it with a dye so if it leaks you can tell where from.
 
Sorry can't help, I know of a chap in the Midlands who is good, but he wouldnt go to Cambridge to pump gas I suspect.
 
I had mine regassed last summer and it went like this:

First 3 days: V cold
After 1-2 weeks: Noticably less cold but still fine
After 4-6 weeks: Took longer to get cold but still acceptable
By August/September: Barely working
Now: Not working at all

So basically I have a leak. Kwik fit did mine last year for about £40 and they hook it up to a machine that leak tests it. I have read online that it's not necessarily that intelligent. This appears to be the case as they completely filled mine as it would have shown that it was ok. It probably passed the minimum pressure hold test but either the condenser/compressor/pipes will be compromised somwhere.

Shame as this year I guess I am going to have to get a mobile aircon specialist to properly diagnose the issue. My mate has a similar car to me (Vauxhall) and said his condensor was shot to pieces. Mine looks in ok nick so not sure.
 
I believe the way they test it is to suck everything out thus creating a vacuume, if it stays as a vacuume the air isn't getting in so in theory the system is sealed and has no leaks. If the air con does seem to be waring off you need to take it back as the gas they put in has a dye that can be seen and thus show where the leak is. How long this dye lasts tho I don't know.
 
From bitter experience, Kwik Fit are only good for a problem-free regas. Hit any trouble and there is a good chance they will make the problem worse. Go to an aircon specialist that is actually capable of testing and repairing aircon. They won't cost much more for the regas but could save you a fortune in damage limitation if there's a genuine problem.

Some main dealers charge less than £50 for an aircon service / regas. I can recommend an excellent garage in Sheffield (who sorted me out after the Kwik Fit damage had been done).
 
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