"Aircon needs regassing" - what if we leave it for a bit?

pinkteapot

Had tyres replaced recently and the garage did a 'health check' (aka tout for business). They said the aircon needs regassing soon.

What does this mean?

More importantly, if we don't get round to it for a few weeks (going on holiday in the car soon), what damage will it do if the gas runs out?

If it just means the aircon will stop working, we don't mind (unlikely to need it in the Lake District!). If it'll cause extra damage that will then need repairing, we'll fit it in before we go away....

reeac

Aircon is very useful to eliminate condensation etc in a damp climate so could be handy in the Lake District. I don't know the answer to your question re. damage but as the working fluid contains a lubricant you may get damage to the seals if you don't get it replenished. I have two cars with aircon - one is 8 years old and the other 16 years old and neither has ever needed refilling. I believe that it's because I use the aircon almost all of the time.

arcon5

I can't even remember the last time I had decent aircon. I certainly wouldn't pay to have is gassed in this country. Personal preference though but nothing worth worrying over

Quentin

Don't know what they meant by "soon".

If it's working now it's OK, so wait till it isn't working before dealing with it.

Netwizard

It will be fine to leave. personally I use mine all the time (its best to use it often so it keeps working!). Just get it gassed whenever

Stoke

I don't think you can damage anything?

facade

If it is run with insufficient gas, the suction side of the pump goes below atmospheric pressure, and draws in moist air from around the pump shaft seal.
If this persists for too long, the moisture overwhelms the drier unit (will need a new one) and then starts to corrode the internals.

Most people reckon you need a top-up every 3 years (more often if you don't use it all the time)

harveybobbles

I wish all cars had build in aircon that couldnt be turned off.

It annoys me when people say "oh we dont need air con, we live in the UK ha ha ha.."

Mine is on all year round.

Stoke

harveybobbles wrote: »

I wish all cars had build in aircon that couldnt be turned off.

It annoys me when people say "oh we dont need air con, we live in the UK ha ha ha.."

Mine is on all year round.

Burning away fuel unnecessarily.

Great!

cajef

facade wrote: »

If it is run with insufficient gas, the suction side of the pump goes below atmospheric pressure, and draws in moist air from around the pump shaft seal.
If this persists for too long, the moisture overwhelms the drier unit (will need a new one) and then starts to corrode the internals.

Most people reckon you need a top-up every 3 years (more often if you don't use it all the time)

Where did you get that incorrect information from, if the gas pressure drops below a certain pressure there is a low pressure switch that activates, the clutch on the pump will not cut in and the pump will not run.

deanos

how did they know it was low ? did they hook it up to a machine ?