Recharging Air-con

[Capra]

I have seen this can be done via the DIY route, but it works out at the same price. Is it better to go a local garage for this, or is this a straight forward DIY job? Apparently different system require a different gas, I thought it was all the same Freon?

Just to add, the left side two vents are a lot warmer than the right, I did check that the Zone button wasn't pressed in.

 

[JBell]

Groupon discount codes for ATS is the best way, had mine done last year and the full bacterial as well, lovely and cold now

https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ats-euromaster-5?deal_option=f726311d-bfd0-433c-afc1-419f0428134a

 

[Capra]

Groupon discount codes for ATS is the best way, had mine done last year and the full bacterial as well, lovely and cold now

Thanks, luckily I have an ATS nearby, otherwise it would have been a trip to Kwikfit!

 

[Capra]

Groupon discount codes for ATS is the best way, had mine done last year and the full bacterial as well, lovely and cold now

I've just read, cars before 2017 will use the cheaper R134a @ £72.

 

[JBell]

I've just read, cars before 2017 will use the cheaper R134a @ £72.

Yup

Just posted the link above as well £45 with the discount

 

[Capra]

Yup

Just posted the link above as well £45 with the discount

Great, thanks Jon.

 

[Capra]

All booked in, I'm hoping that my vents will push out air cooler than 30c.

 

[M80]

Ask ATS to perform a nitrogen pressure test 1st. It'll add 1/4 hour to the procedure but is good peace of mind at no extra cost.

 

[Capra]

Ask ATS to perform a nitrogen pressure test 1st. It'll add 1/4 hour to the procedure but is good peace of mind at no extra cost.

I will mention this, but I thought this was done at first to make sure the process is not a waste of time?

 

[M80]

The machine performs a vacuum test. As the system performs under pressure it isn't a real life test and often misses leaks.

 

[Capra]

The machine performs a vacuum test. As the system performs under pressure it isn't a real life test and often misses leaks.

So, just to confirm, if I ask for this, they will do this at ATS?

 

[M80]

So, just to confirm, if I ask for this, they will do this at ATS?

They always do this for me at the Buxton ATS.
Others may be different.

I once went to Macclesfield as they had equipment not available at Buxton, but nitrogen bottles should be a tall.
Because they insisted on taking name, address, email, blah blah, and I pointed out I have money so do job get paid, and they insisted 'puter said no w/o the info, I left. They no money, me no job done.

 

[M80]

I suggest you say that you had it regassed at Kwik Dicks a short while ago and it leaked.
Since you have had the pressure switch because Joe Blogs garage could see the leak die around it. So you would like confirmation that the system is sealed.

Prior to the ATS nitrogen testing I had 2 vehicles regassed, after the machine had tested. Both turned out to be a waste of money.

 

[Blobcat]

The machine performs a vacuum test. As the system performs under pressure it isn't a real life test and often misses leaks.

Agreed, the vacuum test can pull the leak closed so it holds a vacuum until you fill it again…

 

[M80]

and it's nice to think that we aren't going to give those Patagonian sheep immune deficiency disorders, faster than we might anyway.

 

[Capra]

Ah, I tried. Just called them asking for the nitrogen pressure test, and the response, which I knew would be, "The system does the vacuum test which show up problem if any". My response was, it's not a real life test as this just pulled everything together". In the end they said, they are unable to do a nitrogen test before the re-gas. But said, if the vacuum test doesn't work there is no charge. Exactly what the chap at Kwik-fit said a couple of years ago.

 

[M80]

The issue here is that the machine may not see a 'possible' leak.
It gasses up and they put their sensor into your vent and it sees a nice low temperature from the AC

A week or two later the gas is gone. You then have the issue of persuading them that the machine missed the leak.

Another way, but difficult if you don't have easy access to diagnostics, is to record the AC pressure one morning, after the car has been stood and the engine not run for hours.
If the system is good you would see 2 or 3 bars.
The problem is that as the engine is run the AC compressor will create a pressure. So running it to some where to test means it's likely to see a pressure when you get there anyway.

Thinking positive.
If your cooler vents are cooler than the ambient temperature, then your AC is working (some at least). It's a fair bet you have no leaks or you would have no gas to cause cooling.

 

[Capra]

The issue here is that the machine may not see a 'possible' leak.
It gasses up and they put their sensor into your vent and it sees a nice low temperature from the AC

A week or two later the gas is gone. You then have the issue of persuading them that the machine missed the leak.

Another way, but difficult if you don't have easy access to diagnostics, is to record the AC pressure one morning, after the car has been stood and the engine not run for hours.
If the system is good you would see 2 or 3 bars.
The problem is that as the engine is run the AC compressor will create a pressure. So running it to some where to test means it's likely to see a pressure when you get there anyway.

Thinking positive.
If your cooler vents are cooler than the ambient temperature, then your AC is working (some at least). It's a fair bet you have no leaks or you would have no gas to cause cooling.

Thanks, I have no way of pursuing this.

the problem was more obvious on Monday, when the ambient temp was very high. You could not sit in the car with windows shut and aircon on, too warm. Oddly, the left two vents were warmer than the two on the right, these are the ones that hit you in the face.

 

[M80]

Info that might be useful to you, and others that pick the tread up.

I don't see anything on Torque (for Android) that relates to AC.

iCarsoft V2 (don't know about earlier versions) do pick up the AC info.

Star / Xsentry of course will do wonderous things, but at a far greater cost than calling out an AC specialist.

 

[Capra]

Info that might be useful to you, and others that pick the tread up.

I don't see anything on Torque (for Android) that relates to AC.

iCarsoft V2 (don't know about earlier versions) do pick up the AC info.

Star / Xsentry of course will do wonderous things, but at a far greater cost than calling out an AC specialist.

ATS did say, at some point you might have to go to an A/C specialists.