AirCon - what is its real longetivity ..

[psmart]

There a lot of information on Air-conditioning on this forum, but does it amount to 'old wives tales' ... what is the truth?

1. You must leave the airconditioning on all the time to obtain maximum life?
2. You must switch it on at least once per month?
3. You must leave it switched off all the time, unless you really need it?

What is your method, and what is the length of time you have had the aircon running without requiring re-charge or repair?

 

[psmart]

My experience - 2 cars from new, one 5.5 years old (ML) the other 4 years old (C). Neither have had a re-charge and both aircon systems work exceptionally well (= freezing output without switching off or other tell tale signs requiring a recharge).
The method used is basically, switch on at least once per month, or when needed, off the majority of time.

 

[jberks]

I tend to leave it on all the time - primarily to take advantage of the dehumidifier aspects in this climate. I do turn it off from time to time and I'm fairly confident that 2 hours running per month would be sufficient to stop the seals drying out on anything under perhaps 8-9 years old. The older the car, the more I would consider keeping the aircon on permanently as the more 'maintenance' the seals are likely to need.

I've never needed a recharge, though to be fair, my last E was the first car I've had aircon and it was only 5 1/2 when she went so perhaps I can't claim to be an expert on the subject.

 

[AdrianDW]

My 210 is coming up to its sixth birthday, both its first owner and myself leave the a/c on all the time (I did try it off for a wee while just to see if the fuel consumption improved - negligible). Even in the current "heatwave", its pumping out cool air within about 30 seconds of starting up, and by 60-90 seconds its icy. Never been recharged.

 

[panason1c]

My five year old ML, climate control working perfectly....permanently left turned 'on' and never needed any recharge/work.

If you opt for switching the A/C on only when you want it then i would switch it on for 10 minutes or so at least every 2 or 3 weeks to keep the seals in the system 'oiled'..

 

[Templar Al]

I've had several makes of car with Aircon, and the only one that ever needed re-charging was a 1990 Citroen XM. The system would empty itself if left unused for about 4-5 weeks, but stayed full when left on.
I guess that there was a seal somewhere that was drying-out, so I got the dealer to add an extra bit of oil - way cheaper that trying to dismantle the plumber's nightmare and replace the seals.
In the colder months when you need to turn-up the temperature, the Aircon only works for the first couple of minutes anyway, but enough to keep the seals oiled.
As for mpg - the difference is hardly noticeable.

Regards,
Alan.

 

[television]

Some cars can go for 10 years or more, the effect of needing a recharge is when the air is not freezing cold when set cold max, or that it fails to give any cold air on a very warm day.

malcolm

 

[panason1c]

Tip........Have a look at the a/c compressor, it should be completely free of any dark, 'oily' or wet patches.........if there are any leaks or seepages of refrigerent from the compressor seals or joints the refrigerent oil/gas mixture will leave tell-tale 'oily' patches at the point of escape.....the same applies to the condenser/rest of the system.