Do I need a re-gas?

[M-R-P]

Not having been in a position to think about this previously, I think I may need a re-gas for my A/C.
the Symptom is, it blows cold (not quite as cold as I remember) then gradually warms-up. The compressor is still kicking - in but nowt else.

So, is it a regas?

How the hell do I do it?

Cheerz peeps

[foammanmark]

Sounds like you probably do need a re-gas, cos these p2's are usually superb on the aircon/climate. Mine even at 22 is very noticeable in the current warm weather.

You can buy refills on ebay, but I've not done one myself. Can't be too hard.............

[M-R-P]

Friend of mine was trying to do his on his '02 D5 and reconed he'd found the lower port in the cab somewhere and was attempting it in the evening.
I'm pretty sure it's not the pump as that was replaced just before I got the car...

[foammanmark]

My p1 V70 needs a new compressor, so I've no aircon at all in that. My local Volvo indy has a used one, and regas for £140, which I don't think sounds too bad.

[stribo]

Not having been in a position to think about this previously, I think I may need a re-gas for my A/C.
the Symptom is, it blows cold (not quite as cold as I remember) then gradually warms-up. The compressor is still kicking - in but nowt else.

So, is it a regas?

How the hell do I do it?

Cheerz peeps

TBH I'd take it to get leak tested before it's regassed, no point spending out on gas if it's all going to come out again, also from what I've been told the DIY kits are that easy, or reliable.(No experience of them myself though)

[M-R-P]

I don't think it has a leak as it starts - off cold and just goes warm after between 10 and 20 minutes.

Mark... yes that is a good price, I have the recipt for the compressor and fitting and it cost more than the DIM (I didn't pay so that's ok lol)

[JamesT5]

Not having been in a position to think about this previously, I think I may need a re-gas for my A/C.
the Symptom is, it blows cold (not quite as cold as I remember) then gradually warms-up. The compressor is still kicking - in but nowt else.

So, is it a regas?

How the hell do I do it?

Cheerz peeps

Hey Martin it's my turn to help you for a change!

Thankfully Aircon systems I'm pretty knowledgeable on although I wouldn't dare service one myself....

The fact the compressor is still working means and you're not getting much cold air out means that the gas is low. There is a little bit of gas in there but also lots of 'air' and dirt and probably a lack of lubriacant oil. Becareful because you can damage the compressor if the system dries up and that's hundreds to have it fixed (it happened on my Dads Skoda and it was £300 plus a regas and fitting to have it fixed).

The compressor kicks in and there is intermittant cooling and then it stops and blows warm again because the system isn't pressurised properly. Definately symptomatic of a low gas situation.

I've just had mine serviced about 2 weeks ago before all the hot weather, knowing I'd be on a waiting list if I didn't because everyone will want their Aircon serviced at the same time. The car should have about 1000g of gas in the system when fully charged, mine had about 700g so that was a 30% loss of pressure - good job I had it checked because it wasn't cooling as well as it should have been although it wasn't intermittent like yours is now.

The Aircon should be checked and regassed at least once every 2 years and to be honest the cost is minimal. An aircon system that doesn't have any 'leaks', can loose up to 30% of the pressure and gas in a 2 year period, reducing cooling significantly. Some cars that have never been regassed can have so little gas in the system the compressor doesn't even try to work.

ATS Euromaster charge £44.99 for a regas and they'll check for leaks using a dye and a UV lamp too. They put the dye in to the system and UV lamp around the pipe work and compressor to see if you have a leak as the dye shows up under UV light.

A regas take about an hour, they'll vacuum pump all the old gas out along with the air, dirt and old lubricant oil and then regas with fresh oil and ususally R134A.

You can book the appointment online at the ATS Euromaster website but you have to pay on booking. The same with Kwik Fit but they are £5 - £10 more expensive I think.

ATS offer (as do Kwik Fit) an anti-bacterial clean which is just a aerosol can they let off in the car, the vapours get sucked in to the ventilation system and on to the evaporator etc and kill off alot of the bugs that build up on there.

Best way to keep your Aircon system working is to use it frequently all year round and that way it keeps the system pressurised and helps prevent the lubricant oil from running away from the seals etc.

Ok, sorry for the essay but I hope it helps!

Regards

James

[JamesT5]

By the way, don't be tempted to use the self-charge kit cans from Halfords. All they do is top up the gas but don't clean out all the contaminents and oil from the system. It would be the same logic as never changing the oil in the car and just topping it up with new oil everytime your oil gets low. All the contaminents left from old oil might not do much good for your engine. By the same token, old oil and contaminemts can get in and damage the compressor so this is a job to be done at a garage with the right equipment and training, unless you happened to be trained and have the kit in your garage to do it.

Regards

James

[I want a T5]

I had heard, that car manufacturers never fully gas a new car so as to save cost.... Apparently its around 70% full and they can then get you in a couple of years for a clean out and refill.
Not really surprising.
I need to get mine done as it's pretty poor and this hot weather really shows it up.
Looks like a trip to Kwik Fit this weekend!

[JamesT5]

I had heard, that car manufacturers never fully gas a new car so as to save cost.... Apparently its around 70% full and they can then get you in a couple of years for a clean out and refill.
Not really surprising.
I need to get mine done as it's pretty poor and this hot weather really shows it up.
Looks like a trip to Kwik Fit this weekend!

ATS are cheaper (just), at least around here they are.

[M-R-P]

Cool! (quite literally) the proper service is only slightly more expensive than the kit

I'll start googling...


Thanks James

[M-R-P]

Ok, I'm now sat in the waiting room at my local Protyre who are doing a special today... Full A/C service for 30 quid
Results to follow.

[V70 Graham]

Ok, I'm now sat in the waiting room at my local Protyre who are doing a special today... Full A/C service for 30 quid
Results to follow.

Mrp scores ANOTHER bargain, well done mate, awaiting results

[M-R-P]

Well it took longer than expected because the mondeo ahead of me wasn't playing fair but my AC is bang on now. Apparantly, there was only 504g of refrigerant in the system, out of 1000. This was a full service too, not just a regas. It took just over an hour to do it all, the staff were professional and friendly, the waiting room was tidy with a tv showing the F1 quallies and free refreshments and a clean toilet.
While i was waiting, they offered me nitrogen tyre filling for 2 quid a corner, which i couldnt refuse (I got nice green valvecaps with N2 embossed on them for free)
In all, 30 quid very well spent, I have a 1.7 ton fridge .
Oh, they forgot to charge me for the N2 filling, and when i offered to pay, they waved it and said it wasnt my.problem .

New pollen filter too as mine had collapsed.

Good day

[t5steve]

well done mate.............a real bargain.............with extras thrown in..............what more could you want

[merc85]

well done mate.............a real bargain.............with extras thrown in..............what more could you want

A set of Ap brakes.... you jammy git lol

[t5steve]

just in the right place at the right time...............

[local-looney]

Ok, I'm now sat in the waiting room at my local Protyre who are doing a special today... Full A/C service for 30 quid
Results to follow.

my s60 came from down your way martin!
protyre ay? i got stacks of bills with my car from protyre...reading through em',they sound thorough!!

[M-R-P]

well done mate.............a real bargain.............with extras thrown in..............what more could you want

Bargain since the Mondeo before mine only held 800g of refrigerant but still had to pay the same as me

A set of Ap brakes.... you jammy git lol

Hmmmm... must go back and see where they got to lol

just in the right place at the right time...............

Bloody good luck since most of the others I tried had closed at 1pm!

my s60 came from down your way martin!
protyre ay? i got stacks of bills with my car from protyre...reading through em',they sound thorough!!

Best outfit I've seen around here mate. Very professional.

To celebrate, I bought an electric polisher from Aldi and a selection of cleaner sprays and had a little session...

[local-looney]

dont think ive ever seen ur car dirty!!

do you drive it??? lol