Air con not working - re-gas required?

pledgeX

I've had a 58 plate focus for a few months. I tried turning the air conditioning on today but there was no difference in temperature whether the a/c button was on or off. It's cool but not cold.

If the car is idling and I turn it on I can hear 'something' kick in under the bonnet, so it's not a case of the button simply not working.

I've seen Kwik-fit do a re-gas for £50, and if it doesn't reduce the temperature they'll give you your money back. Seems like a good idea to see if a simple re-gas will solve the problem or not.

Is there anything else I can check to see what might be wrong? I'm a total novice and don't have anything in the way of tools, so simple ideas only please!

jbainbridge

If it is clicking in as you say it suggests there is some gas in there. I'd give Kwik Fit a go.

I had one done a couple of years ago ... It only lasted a few hours and they were more than happy to refund.

kev25v6

Don't touch kwik fit for a regas!!! Mine went in for a colder or money back refil and they blew the compressor up somehow. Check google for a local garage or even an air con specialist near to you. They are normally around the same price anyway and you can have confidence your car won't get trashed. Even main dealers can be cheap for a regas.

facade

Take it there if you like, but they (and their competitors) do even cheaper offers if you watch the local press over the nest few weeks.

The regassing is done on automatic machine, so simple to operate I reckon my dog could do it (apart from not having opposed thumbs to unscrew the dust caps and connect the hoses), so there is actually very little to go wrong.

Provided the aircon is just about working you will see an improvement with a simple regas.

What happens is the system leaks gas gradually amd loses efficiency. Leaving it switched off makes the leakage greater as the seals dry out and start leaking. You should operate the aircon for a few minutes each week as a minimum to keep the seals in good condition.

Iceweasel

Every car I've had for the last 30 odd years has had air-con.

I leave it turned on all the time - Summer and Winter - never needed a re-gas and never had a problem.

Unfortunately many people still think that air-conditioning is for cooling only - forgetting that it dries the air and keeps condensation down - I run mine along with the heating to get the best effect.

Use it or lose it, as they say.

daveyjp

Mine is in tomorrow for a similar issue. I have never turned aircon off on any car I have had and this is the first time I have had a problem.

However I'm going to a good independent, not Kwikfit, who I wouldn't trust to put the caps on a tyre valve.

AdrianC

Iceweasel wrote: »

I leave it turned on all the time - Summer and Winter - never needed a re-gas and never had a problem.

Unfortunately many people still think that air-conditioning is for cooling only - forgetting that it dries the air and keeps condensation down - I run mine along with the heating to get the best effect.

Use it or lose it, as they say.

This, with knobs on. If not used, the seals in the system dry out and the gas escapes. Re-gassing may very well not last long. Aircon really does need to be used regularly. It's actually at it's most useful in the UK hroughout the cooler, damper months, when it will clear the windows almost instantly.

wba31

Check out amazon local and groupon for deals.

I had mine done for £35 with ATS last year then 2 weeks later got the wife's done for £28 with F1 Autocentre. Both cases took an hour so i took a newspaper and sat waiting while they did it...

motorguy

Iceweasel wrote: »

Every car I've had for the last 30 odd years has had air-con.

I leave it turned on all the time - Summer and Winter - never needed a re-gas and never had a problem.

Unfortunately many people still think that air-conditioning is for cooling only - forgetting that it dries the air and keeps condensation down - I run mine along with the heating to get the best effect.

Use it or lose it, as they say.

Whilst that will certainly help the system, it wont help if a belt breaks, the pump fails or a pipe develops a crack.

motorguy

I'd take it to quick fit. Have done in the past when i was motor trading.

One particular instance i had, took a 407 to them, they couldnt get pressure into the system, and found the cracked joint that was causing it. Didnt charge me as they couldnt make it cooler.

Got the £12 part from Peugeot, fitted it, then took it back to Kwikfit to be gassed.

God knows how much Peugeot or a garage would have stung me for "diagnostics"

Iceweasel

motorguy wrote: »

Whilst that will certainly help the system, it wont help if a belt breaks, the pump fails or a pipe develops a crack.

Of course not - same if a stone hits the condenser.

But I do think that most folks problems with their AC are caused by lack of use, especially over the winter.

Not using it for months at a time is just an invitation for leaks right.

Half an hour a week would do it, if you don't run it all the time.

But running it constantly in Winter is the best idea as the interior of the car is kept dry and misting-up is therefore a rare occurrence.