Testing A/C compressor?

AdrianC

You may well be able to simply change the core of the valve - I believe they're normal Schrader-type tyre valve cores.

JustAnotherSaver

I'll have to get it booked in with the proper A/C specialist garage. Unfortunately this is 30 mile away from me but i've used them before & they've been great in the past.

AdrianC

Where on earth do you live that there's no aircon-competent garage within 30 miles of you? Somewhere past Inverness?

JustAnotherSaver

Kwik Fit are supposed to be air con competent. They're just around the corner but it didn't work out today.

I went to them a good few years ago with my own car when the A/C actually wasn't working (unlike today with my wife's car). They said there was a leak but they couldn't say where & basically said i would have to get it repaired before i go back to them, so i guess they don't do repairs (not that i'd go to them for repairs if they did).

So when someone advertises as doing air conditioning, i wonder to what degree they do it (no funny business with replies about temperature either ) Does a place only offer a recharge service? Or do they offer everything to do with A/C?

I've done some googling and found one result which i've just 5 minutes ago found out my brother knows the guy so i'm going to find out if this fella does just recharge servicing or whether he could do a proper repair. Hopefully the latter because then he could do my compressor too.

AdrianC

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

So when someone advertises as doing air conditioning, i wonder to what degree they do it (no funny business with replies about temperature either ) Does a place only offer a recharge service? Or do they offer everything to do with A/C?

There's really three aspects to "doing aircon".
* There's the gas work. Pulling vacuums, checking pressure's held, regassing. That's all pretty much the same bit of "do-a-then-do-b-then-do-c" kit.
* There's the mechanical fitting. Pipes, compressors, condensers. Nothing that's any different to any other car mechanical work.
* There's the electrical/electronic diagnostics. Again, nothing any different to engine management or ABS or body control diagnostics.

JustAnotherSaver

That's the problem though - finding out who does what. Kwik Fit clearly don't do anything beyond gassing. Again as i say - i wouldn't want them to but they just advertise as doing air con without many specifics.

That person i mentioned earlier must do the same because my brother got back to me & said this chap suggested i go somewhere who uses a dye to determine exactly where the leak is coming from.

I know you can buy kits & such probably from Halfords so i wonder if a lot of these air con guys are just have-a-go-harrys.

So again i'm back to that garage. I'll just have to make a day of it i guess. Go down in both cars & then leave one at the garage while going off in to the town with the other car.