Worth fixing air conditioning?

[rodenal]

If that £280 could be put towards a better car I might be tempted to put up with it.
But if your likely to still own it next summer I would get it fixed.

Id be reluctant trying to fix it myself.

It's effectively just a radiator - if the fault has already been diagnosed there's nothing difficult about the physical change.

 

[Maundie]

I would have it done definitely, £280 is nothing for the comfort of having a car with a reasonable temp.

 

[Jono8]

At least you don't have a new car with R1234yf gas because then you would be looking at £280 just for a re-gas from a main dealer!!!

 

[robj20]

Shouldn't just be fitting a condenser if the system has leaked and lost all gas the dryer should be changed as well.

 

[Orionaut]

I'd pay the £280. For me, aircon is a basic requirement these days.

More to the point. Back in the day when AC was typically an optional extra, the standard ventilation system was adequate for providing reasonable comfort if the AC failed.

Not so today. On more modern vehicles where AC is standard, the AC is typically an integral part of the climate control system and the forced ventilation system alone is often not adequate to keep temperatures under control on hot days if the AC fails.

You need to fix the AC.

 

[Nomisf]

If you do go ahead with fitting the condenser yourself, make sure you VERY lightly lubricate the O-Rings with Vaseline. This comes from my local aircon guy, after the previous owner of my car spend a bucket replacing parts in the AC system, only for me to find out he had pinched a condenser O-Ring when fitting it - and that was the whole problem.

 

[robj20]

If you do go ahead with fitting the condenser yourself, make sure you VERY lightly lubricate the O-Rings with Vaseline. This comes from my local aircon guy, after the previous owner of my car spend a bucket replacing parts in the AC system, only for me to find out he had pinched a condenser O-Ring when fitting it - and that was the whole problem.

Be better using the correct lubricant, silicone based. Petroleum based can eat away or swell certain o-rings.

 

[rodders]

I paid £240 the other day for a new condenser fitted and regas, on a Ford CMax 62 plate. Another garage quoted £400. Didn't even bother phoning ford.....

 

[MooMoo444]

Air conditioning isn't only for hot days. In the winter it's really helpful to avoid steamed windows and demisting. Definitely worth a fix. You use it all year round.

 

[DannyW]

try find a forum or youtube guide of how to remove the bumper your self, once that is off it should be very easy

 

[theone8181]

I've not had air con since the start of June, driving with windows done at 70 is not fun (it's getting fixed this weekend).

 

[Iamzod]

I don't get why the value of the car matters, i couldn't own an airconless car and certainly wouldn't buy one with it not working.

Unless the alternative is to scrap and replace the car then get it fixed.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

A 280 quid bill is not uneconomical on a 10 plate car.

It's not even uneconomical on a '98 plate car!

Do people just scrap old cars when they need 4 new tyres?

 

[Edinho]

Am I the only one here thinking you should have been an a car in the 80s where aircon was putting the blower on and and hoping that some semblence of cold air would blow through the leuvres.

 

[Six6siX]

Am I the only one here thinking you should have been an a car in the 80s where aircon was putting the blower on and and hoping that some semblence of cold air would blow through the leuvres.

Probably.

We don't live in the 80's anymore you know!

 

[adolf hamster]

Am I the only one here thinking you should have been an a car in the 80s where aircon was putting the blower on and and hoping that some semblence of cold air would blow through the leuvres.

depends on the car....

 

[Nomisf]

Be better using the correct lubricant, silicone based. Petroleum based can eat away or swell certain o-rings.

AC O-Rings are typically NBR or HNBR, as they have to resist the lubricating oil in the compressor system - and typically swell a small amount in normal use. I am not sure NBR rings would like silicone, although I haven't checked.

The best stuff to use is Nylog Blue, or the oil type your AC system uses - but getting hold of it can be tricky.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

Condenser is just like the radiator. Check eurocarparts for cost of parts. And 50 quid fitting.

 

[RJC]

Condenser is just like the radiator. Check eurocarparts for cost of parts. And 50 quid fitting.

My Dad did the same thing to his car (they bought my old company car - Vectra Estate) I installed the new condenser he bought from Euro Car parts, pressure tested, vacced and charged.