Astra Air Con

Equaliser123

Hi

Problem with my 56 Astra (1.8 petrol).

Used the a/c on cold yesterday and it sounds like it is running very rough (sound increases with increase of engine RPM). Also, whilst it is blowing cold, the performance does not seem great.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

richard734

All Air con runs off the auxillary belts from your engine, a little like the fan belt. When you have the Aircon on, you are putting extra load on the engine as it also has to turn the components of the aircon - some people report up to a 10% loss of power/increase in fuel consumption.
If it is running low on gas, that can make it sound rough. I would suggest going to a local garage and asking for an Aircon check, even KwickFit do them, normally they cost about £20 for teh check.

mac2008

Has it ever been re-gassed? This also adds a lubricant. Kwik fit can stick it on a machine that empties the old refrigerant, pressure tests the system and re-gasses it for £49. Had mine done yesterday and is much better - colder faster.

Equaliser123

richard734 wrote: »

All Air con runs off the auxillary belts from your engine, a little like the fan belt. When you have the Aircon on, you are putting extra load on the engine as it also has to turn the components of the aircon - some people report up to a 10% loss of power/increase in fuel consumption.
If it is running low on gas, that can make it sound rough. I would suggest going to a local garage and asking for an Aircon check, even KwickFit do them, normally they cost about £20 for teh check.

Thanks Richard. I guess my concern is as to whether Kwikfit-type places will have the ability to diagnose more than simply a low-gas issue.

Suppose it could be worth a first go. To be honest, it sounds as though it is bearings or something that aren't running smoothly.

mac2008

Equaliser123 wrote: »

Thanks Richard. I guess my concern is as to whether Kwikfit-type places will have the ability to diagnose more than simply a low-gas issue.

Suppose it could be worth a first go. To be honest, it sounds as though it is bearings or something that aren't running smoothly.

Nope - if it fails a pressure test, the system won't re-gas it. I very much doubt they are the best place to try & fix aircon. If there is a problem with a leak or compressor etc. you're better off going to a specialist. If you're anywhere near Bristol, google air con jon bristol - have heard good things about them (not affiliated with them in any way as my first post about me using kwik fit demonstrates!)

Crabman

Kwik Fit sometimes have a £29 ish offer on.

Formula One autocentres also do air con regassing, I saw a post on here recently saying they are doing it for about £25-29, may be worth calling and asking:

http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/air-conditioning.php

Premier_2

Here's the thread I believe Crabman refers to:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3843891

gardner1

Equaliser123 wrote: »

Hi

Problem with my 56 Astra (1.8 petrol).

Used the a/c on cold yesterday and it sounds like it is running very rough (sound increases with increase of engine RPM). Also, whilst it is blowing cold, the performance does not seem great.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

do you use it all year....if not seals may have dried out
best thing is to run it 1 or 2 times every month

Equaliser123

Thanks all. Called Kwikfit. They said "low gas shouldn't make it sound odd".

Suspect it is the compressor.....

Think I will get a quote from Vauxhall and go from there.

Equaliser123

£600 + from Vauxhall. Compressor works but is 'rusty' and will leak.

Hmmm.

s_b

an independant could trounce that figure
of course he would source the compressor via his factor that would get it from the manufacturer thus cutting out the vauxhall profit
an independent garage would also likely have a vauxhall trade card to get a good discount if it had to be dealer only
i let my card expire though due to lack of use (sick of warning lights winking at me from this marque)