Quote to fix aircon - reasonable?

AdrianC

bod1467 wrote: »

That probably means avoid dealerships too. (You think their mechanics are really any better qualified than the ones at Kwik-Fit et al?)

I know they are.

Whether they're worth the extra over a good indie (probably owned/run by a hands-on ex-dealer mechanic) is another question. But, yes, they are FAR better skilled and qualified than a tyre fitter who occasionally dabbles a bit further in.

fred7777

AdrianC wrote: »

The person who said they'd done a condenser in an hour had done so on a Megane, not a Clio. I'd imagine the packaging at the front is much tighter.

I believe the packaging is very similar, once the front bumper is off the condenser is easily accessible.

However leaving aside labour costs there appears to be a massive variation in condenser price from £60+£220! depending on the model:

http://car-parts.mister-auto.co.uk/en/condenser-renault-clio_lg448_ls21/

and the gas shouldn't cost £60+vat

Best option if your not confident to DIY is to get an internet price for the condenser then get a couple of quotes from garages to fix it and take it to a chain who will do the aircon test and regas afterwards.

G_M

Had a re-gas done the other week for £19.99 via Groupon here.

OK - it's a basic regas so if there's a fault or leak etc you're going to have to pay extra either with that garage or take it elsewhere, but in my case well worth the gamble.

Car is now like a freezer. Have to keep the windows open to warm up....... :rotfl:

jimbo_the_jetset

My recent experience.

Car = Kia Ceed 2008.

Air con regas / check = £35. Hole noted in condenser. Quote £250 to replace and re-gas. Fingers crossed for free Kia 7 year warranty fix!!

AdrianC

jimbo_the_jetset wrote: »

Hole noted in condenser. Quote £250 to replace and re-gas. Fingers crossed for free Kia 7 year warranty fix!!

Would you expect the warranty to cover a replacement headlight or windscreen because of stone damage?

klc28

jimbo_the_jetset wrote: »

My recent experience.

Car = Kia Ceed 2008.

Air con regas / check = £35. Hole noted in condenser. Quote £250 to replace and re-gas. Fingers crossed for free Kia 7 year warranty fix!!

Do come back and let us know if the Kia warranty covers it.

londonTiger

martin2345uk wrote: »

Blimey, wanna come and do mine?? ;-)

i do not recommend DIYing an aircon. Very harmful gasses involved. both to you and the environment - leave it to the experts.

bigjl

I don't know if this is a mk1,2 or 3 Clio.

As it has AC is suspect an Mk2 or 3.

They are both a nightmare to work on.

Some smaller engined ones may be easier than others.

The fact you need to strip out the wheelarch to get to the fuel filter on the 1.5dci shoild put things in perspective.

I would much rather work on a Megane than a Clio.

There is a data book that gives the time needed to do these jobs properly.

Unless somebody is posting up with acceas to this book then nobody will know if this is a sensible job time.

2 hours to strip out properly

30 mins to replace the part and gas up the system.

2hours to put everything back together and check every thing is working correctly.

A DIYer may cut corners and instead of stripping the car as it is designed to be push things out of the way and risk damaging things.

pullenuk

I suggest going to an independent myself. Both of my cars go to a local garage. He is more interested in you coming back every time instead of ripping you off or giving you cowpoo and not coming back again.

rubble2

I took my car to a local Air Con specialist as I was not getting any cooling effect anymore. He confirmed that the refrigerant had gone, checked for obvious leaks (none apparent) and re gassed the system including some dye. - charged me £60

He told me to go back to him in a few weeks so they could check to see if the dye had highlighted any leaks, I did this and there were two areas on the condenser showing leakage/dye.

I sourced a new condenser on the internet (£70 delivered inc 2 year warranty) and took it back to the Air Con guy to fit. He fitted the new condenser for £90 and re- gassed the system again for free.

So total cost was £220 - not bad.

Car is a Saab 9-3