Aircon regas

username9876

I had a regas for £60 and the garage said the machine would not work if there was a leak in the system. The aircon was regassed and it partially worked for a couple of days before failing. Even though I have taken it back to them, it is still not working. I am going to take it back again but I would like to know what my rights are here.

Am I able to get my money back if the garage cannot get the aircon to work?

jobdone1

So are you saying with the word partially when they re-gassed it it did not drop temperature if this is the case then they have failed to regas the aircon successfully and i would not have paid.

username9876

There was some cooling but it was not as strong as I was expecting. I was reasonably happy with the first results but it only lasted for a couple of days.

EdGasket

Why is it their fault if your system has a leak? You need to get the leak traced and replace the leaking component or try some sealer like Interdynamics Super Seal:

http://www.interdynamics-europe.co.uk/ourproducts/product.php?id=67

forgotmyname

Do they vacuum or pressure test the system?

The automatic machiines vacuum the old gas out and hold it at a vacuum to test for leaks.
This is flawed because the system doesnt normally run in a vacuum situation. It needs a proper pressure test with a leak detecting fluid.

username9876

EdGasket wrote: »

Why is it their fault if your system has a leak? You need to get the leak traced and replace the leaking component or try some sealer like Interdynamics Super Seal:

http://www.interdynamics-europe.co.uk/ourproducts/product.php?id=67

I didn't say it was their fault if it has leaked. They said they would not regas it if there was a leak.

bluesnake

username9876 wrote: »

I didn't say it was their fault if it has leaked. They said they would not regas it if there was a leak.

yeh, those greenhouse gases. Not much point in charging it if there is a leak.

Even if there is no leak, recharging the system still may not fix the problem if the compressor has gone, or a bend in the pipe. Though your problem sounds like a slow leak.

At work they pressure test the ac lines with nitrogen overnight, however aparently the molecular size of nitrogen is larger then refrigerant, so there still is a very sight chance it could leak after the pressure test.

Personally for £60 I think you have as much chance of getting your money back as the garage has in collecting the escaping refrigerant from the air and putting it back in the bottle.

EdGasket

username9876 wrote: »

I didn't say it was their fault if it has leaked. They said they would not regas it if there was a leak.

Well you did say "Am I able to get my money back if the garage cannot get the aircon to work?" which suggests to me that you blame them for your leak which was not severe enough to stop the regas machine working and as it lasted a couple of days suggests a slow leak; difficult to detect without a more expensive diagnostic.
You can ask them for your money back but they'll probably say no as you've had your moneysworth of time and refrigerant.

username9876

EdGasket wrote: »

Well you did say "Am I able to get my money back if the garage cannot get the aircon to work?" which suggests to me that you blame them for your leak which was not severe enough to stop the regas machine working and as it lasted a couple of days suggests a slow leak; difficult to detect without a more expensive diagnostic.
You can ask them for your money back but they'll probably say no as you've had your moneysworth of time and refrigerant.

No, I don't blame them for any leak. I blame them for regassing it despite it having a leak. I understand your point about an undetectable slow leak, but they did not warn us of this. They made it clear to us that we would have a fully functioning air-con (for £60) or no change in the air-con (no charge). We have been charged £60 and have no change in the air-con. They have now told us they do not repair or do any diagnostic work.
The wife has got it at the garage, atm, so I'll let you know what the outcome is.

username9876

We got £30 back so I'm happy with that. Now, if anyone knows a good air-con engineer that operates in South Oxfordshire can you let me know.