Air con blowing warm air 1 hour after recharge

doningtonphil

We bought a car from a dealer and they advised they had the air con checked and it was working fine.

When I checked it on the test drive it blew cold fir the duration (it was a warm day). However over the following 2 weeks the temperature difference has become less and less noticeable.

I found the aircon test printout in the glove box and phoned the garage that had done the test. He advised it had no gas in when he received it. It maintained vacuum for 30 mins. He regassed and added oil and a dye (in case of future leaks). He ran it for a few minuted afterwards.

It is obvious that there was an issue with the aircon not working that the dealer new about. They sent it to be fixed. Is it a coincidence that it isn't working again.

I think they will try to use the fact it maintained vacuum for 30 mins as an "it was fine when it left us" get out.

Does a vacuum test indicate there are no definitely no faults so must have happened since?

A previous poster mentioned a pressure test, which would make sense but doesn't appear to have been carried out.

Is it possible that creating the vacuum could have sucked any leaks closed, thus masking the leak,whereas pressurising would impose an opposite force on a leak and it become evident (the same force as day to day operation)

colino

The vacuum test only proves the system is sealed, it doesn't tell you anything about the condition of other parts of the system. The vacuum test wouldn't seal anything closed, it would just keep the pump running trying to achieve the vacuum, which it couldn't do as it would be sucking air in from the leak.

Nodding_Donkey

Take it back to the dealer and let them sort it out if you've only just bought the car.

neil.woos

I think the reason why we see quite a few AC issues on this forum is that people hardly ever use it! In fact even during the summer I see lot of people with their windows winded down instead of using their AC or climate control. I think people don't want to use it because it consumes slightly more fuel.


An AC system should in theory never have to be re-gassed and shouldn't have any leaks if if its in good condition. I have dual zone climate control and leave it on ALL the time throughout the year, I just adjust the temperature. Never had a problem, never re-gassed and still blows cold air right down to 15 degrees Celsius. The reason? Most likely because it has always been in service and kept the internal condition in tip top condition.

ChumLee

neil.woos wrote: »

I think the reason why we see quite a few AC issues on this forum is that people hardly ever use it! In fact even during the summer I see lot of people with their windows winded down instead of using their AC or climate control. I think people don't want to use it because it consumes slightly more fuel.


An AC system should in theory never have to be re-gassed and shouldn't have any leaks if if its in good condition. I have dual zone climate control and leave it on ALL the time throughout the year, I just adjust the temperature. Never had a problem, never re-gassed and still blows cold air right down to 15 degrees Celsius. The reason? Most likely because it has always been in service and kept the internal condition in tip top condition.

Because you'd tell us it was even if it wasn't. Is this the air con in your Lexus, M3, Yaris (without rear brakes), Legend, Golf, Audi (with s line body kit in the back garden), your sons or dads car you talk about?

Tinuel

They are refusing to refund me and want to charge to come out again.
In their opinion, I saw it working for a few minutes and that proves that a recharge worked. Plus, they are a mobile company so they are going to charge me to come out.

I told them that with a stance such as this one, they stand to lose a lot more (future customers) than the £49.99 they are refusing to refund.
I will report them to the appropriate body as well.

neil.woos

Tinuel wrote: »

They are refusing to refund me and want to charge to come out again.
In their opinion, I saw it working for a few minutes and that proves that a recharged worked. Plus, they are a mobile company so they are going to charge me to come out.

I told them that with a stance such as this one, they stand to lose a lot more (future customers) than the £49.99 they are refusing to refund.
I will report them to the appropriate body as well.

Never use these mickey mouse mobile 'quick' fit type services. They are useless. Should have gone to a proper garage to get the work done next time.

Tinuel

neil.woos wrote: »

Never use these mickey mouse mobile 'quick' fit type services. They are useless. Should have gone to a proper garage to get the work done next time.

Yeap, lesson learned. I am wondering what can I do to report these cowboys and make sure that this does not happen to other people. And if there is a way to get my money back via other channels.

BeenThroughItAll

neil.woos wrote: »

Never use these mickey mouse mobile 'quick' fit type services. They are useless. Should have gone to a proper garage to get the work done next time.

OP, ignore this idiotic generalisation from a known fantasist.


A *good* mobile AC specialist is well worth having... As is a good mobile tyre fitter, a good mobile trimmer, a SMART repairer, wheel refinisher, etc.


Being in a van does not mean the service will be bad. A cowboy is just at home in a saloon as on a horse.

Quentin

Make some use of the dye you paid to be put in.


Take the car back to the dealer (or your usual garage if more convenient) and ask them to have a look at where the leak(s) is/are and take it from there.