Recharge air conditioning?

cherryblossomzel

I think the air conditioning in my car needs recharging. The air coming out of the vents simply doesn't feel cold until about 20 minutes into the drive, and even then it's not particularly cold, merely cool.

Halfords charges £40 for a recharge and clean, is this a reasonable price, or should I try elsewhere? Do they do this at normal mechanics' or is it a more specialist thing? (this is my first car with a/c, so not sure what the best thing is).

Thanks!

wba31

£40 doesnt sound a bad deal at the moment, last year i had my car done at ATS for £32 with an amazon deal and the wife's car at F1 Autocentre for £30 with a groupon.

Just replaced the wife's car (as i wrote it off) and think her new one will need it doing and been looking for options... Halfords might be a good shout...

Zeitgeist

Kwik Fit offer a recharge service and if it doesn't work they'll give you your money back, which is actually not a bad deal.

Horizon81

How old is the car and how often did you use the AC?

As for the procedure, a monkey could do it (and indeed will do it if you go to Halfords or Kwik Fit). It's about as specialist as changing a windscreen wiper.

robbies_gal

go anywhere where they guarantee it or your money back nothing specialist about it

cherryblossomzel

Horizon81 wrote: »

How old is the car and how often did you use the AC?

The car is an 09 model, I've owned it since Feb last year. I doubt the previous owner would have done it in the winter so it is likely at least 2 years since the last recharge, and possibly longer.


I use the AC a fair bit, particularly in the winter as I had some moisture problems without it.


Just noticed today that the air straight out of the vents didn't seem to really cool down on my drive to work. Admittedly it's hot today and the car is parked in the sun, so I expect the AC to be a bit slow, but it just seemed outrageous.


I'll probably go to Halfords. Kwikfit is a good £10 more expensive and only guarantees a 10% improvement, which doesn't seem like that much in any case.

castle96

minre has failed quite suddenly. OK I can get it recharged,, but there must be a leak somewhere. Recharging won't cure any leak/seals. Can they actually find a leak. What sort of cost to repair that ?

EdGasket

Leaks can be found but probably at a proper garage with air-con experience. Dye is injected that shows up under UV light so they can see where it is leaking. Repairs not cheap, usually around £200 to £400 if it is the compressor or condenser. If you are worried about cost, try a Kwik fit top up with refund if it doesn't work and see how it goes.

=rizla=

castle96 wrote: »

minre has failed quite suddenly. OK I can get it recharged,, but there must be a leak somewhere. Recharging won't cure any leak/seals. Can they actually find a leak. What sort of cost to repair that ?

I had a Mondeo a few years ago, they had a pressure switch connected, so it worked ok, then lost a tiny bit more gas and the pressure switch stopped the whole system working, but a simple recharge was all it needed, lasted 2-3 years before needing another one.

Greenqueen_2

ATS euromaster are doing it for £30 just now. Looks more to book online but I just went in off the street.

jcb208

When my aircon stoped all of a sudden on my astra it turned out to be a holed condenser.Cost a touch over £300 to repair