Air Con Quote - Page 3

BoroRover · 12th May 2020, 05:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

Air con can be used in winter to help demist the cars windows, it is not just a summer tool for keeping the car cool.

macafee2

It's recommended you run the air con a few times in the winter months to keep things hunkey-dorey. As above helps demist too.

SCP440 · 12th May 2020, 07:29

Some car manufacturers used to say in the handbook that A/C should be used for 5 mins every week. This keeps the seals from drying out and stops it leaking.

On cars that the A/C defaults to on have more reliable systems than cars that get it switched on when the temp goes above 25 degrees.

vacuman · 12th May 2020, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorgte

The aircon rad replacement is straight forward to do.
If it is leaking, the garage will not continue with the recharge of the system. The machine does a leak test first. Mine was leaking so I replaced it and returned to the garage a week later. £50 for cash. You’ll be lucky to get it any cheaper as the cost of refrigerant gas has spiralled upwards recently.

Re the cost of gas, my brother runs a one-man mobile regassing service covering Enfield, North London and surrounding areas. Yesterday he mentioned that the cost of gas has gone down a bit recently...perhaps just through lack of demand at the moment.

Plug for my bro.... http://autoregas.co.uk/

Billy1mate · 12th May 2020, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorgte

The aircon rad replacement is straight forward to do.
If it is leaking, the garage will not continue with the recharge of the system. The machine does a leak test first. Mine was leaking so I replaced it and returned to the garage a week later. £50 for cash. You’ll be lucky to get it any cheaper as the cost of refrigerant gas has spiralled upwards recently.

The refrigerant is different now and it’s 4x as expensive so cheap recharge days may be over. I replaced my condenser when I replaced the fan, I also polished the headlights whilst the bumper was off too. I don’t recall the condenser being difficult, it took longer to clean the leaves out etc.

Billy1mate · 12th May 2020, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cut

Here it is - again

Photo by Jules

TC

Yes mine looked similar to that🤣

Billy1mate · 12th May 2020, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pueblo_Boy

The aircon in my car has never worked - the previous owner told me he had never used it either! Whilst for completeness, I would like to get it operational, I live in Scotland, where such luxuries are totally superfluous at least 50 weeks of the year...

But they come into their own in winter for removing moisture and condensation which most seem to not realise or forget.

Heddy · 14th May 2020, 20:35

Phoned a guy with 5 star reviews going back 10yrs, recommended by my friend who does other repairs for me. Rob Lane (Honiton) was here within the hour and tested the system using one (I assume air) hose, a bottle of weak washing up liquid and a torch. He declared the condenser was leaking. I could have supplied my own but he couldn't guarantee the job, fair enough. So, to supply and fit condenser, re gas and test etc £200 +vat. less if I could remove the bumper myself. Gonna go for it, after several re gases I feel mobile is the way to go.

SD1too · 15th May 2020, 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heddy

Rob Lane (Honiton) ... tested the system using one (I assume air) hose, a bottle of weak washing up liquid and a torch.

Excellent. That's the way to do it. Just for the record Heddy, it's usually nitrogen that is used for this diagnostic procedure.

Simon

Heddy · 15th May 2020, 09:01

Yep, bite the bullet, you only get around 4 re gases for 200 quid and you still have the leak. Many claim to do a leak test first but how definitive is this? I believe now that a re-gas is a 'quick fix', you go away with cold air but it doesn't always last.

Arctic · 15th May 2020, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heddy

Phoned a guy with 5 star reviews going back 10yrs, recommended by my friend who does other repairs for me. Rob Lane (Honiton) was here within the hour and tested the system using one (I assume air) hose, a bottle of weak washing up liquid and a torch. He declared the condenser was leaking. I could have supplied my own but he couldn't guarantee the job, fair enough.

Quote:

So, to supply and fit condenser, re gas and test etc £200 +vat. less if I could remove the bumper myself. Gonna go for it, after several re gases I feel mobile is the way to go.

Removing the bumper is the easy part

its the rest of the front that as to be removed which takes the time, slam panel / crash bar, lights, fan, before you can get to the condenser.

Changed a couple early this year before lock down, my own & a local members, as always photos taken

14th May 2020, 20:35	#27
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Air Con Update Phoned a guy with 5 star reviews going back 10yrs, recommended by my friend who does other repairs for me. Rob Lane (Honiton) was here within the hour and tested the system using one (I assume air) hose, a bottle of weak washing up liquid and a torch. He declared the condenser was leaking. I could have supplied my own but he couldn't guarantee the job, fair enough. So, to supply and fit condenser, re gas and test etc £200 +vat. less if I could remove the bumper myself. Gonna go for it, after several re gases I feel mobile is the way to go.

15th May 2020, 09:01	#29
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Yep, bite the bullet, you only get around 4 re gases for 200 quid and you still have the leak. Many claim to do a leak test first but how definitive is this? I believe now that a re-gas is a 'quick fix', you go away with cold air but it doesn't always last. Last edited by Heddy; 15th May 2020 at 09:05.. Reason: More info.

12th May 2020, 07:29	#22
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	Some car manufacturers used to say in the handbook that A/C should be used for 5 mins every week. This keeps the seals from drying out and stops it leaking. On cars that the A/C defaults to on have more reliable systems than cars that get it switched on when the temp goes above 25 degrees.