Air conditioning

Post by **helen&tony** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:21 pm

Hi…Can anyone help with an aircon query? The rear aircon is blowing mildly warm in the summer, and the front is barely cold. Is this a problem that can be fixed at home with a top-up kit, or is it a specialist job. If anyone can also advise whether there are separate service points for the two aircon units, or are they both under the front bonnet, maybe in one unit?
Thanks in anticipation
Helen

Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:52 pm

Can't help you about the service points but you can't top up the gas yourself. It must be done by a dealer with the correct equipment, due to the nature of the freon gas. It's the same stuff as used in fridges and you're not allowed to dump them now either - they have to be collected and disposed of properly.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:58 pm

One connection fills the whole system - you can top it up - I tried but not very successfull - it's quite a big system. Best to do as franco says and get it professionally recharged and checked for leaks.

Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:03 pm

Hi Dandy
I didn't even think you could buy the gas anymore, unless you are an authorised dealer. We used to have to suck the gas out of any aircon system we were working on, before even starting the work.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:08 pm

You can get it in Halfrauds franco - it's not freon these days....... ( I don't think

)

Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:11 pm

Aaah - in that case, ignore all I've said - thought it was still the old freon nasty stuff.

grumpo · Post by **grumpo** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:08 pm

Correct gas is 134a and you need about 800 grams for a full charge.

You won't save a great deal doing it yourself.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:53 pm

Crikey - forgot they are in Bulgaria. I had reason to contact aircon people when I was buying Bongos Helen&Tony cos neither had aircon that was working and I wanted ot be sure it was just a regassing job. Both times, the deal I was offered was that they would check the system, and you pay something for that (not too much). If you go ahead and let them fix it, they dont charge for the check, just the repair and regass. It was lucky I did in my case cos the Bongo I wanted turned out to have a corroded pipe. Happily, the vendor jumped to it and got a favour from a local garage and they made up a replacement section overnight. I insisted on giving him £50 over the asking price for that - worth every penny (he settled with the aircon check/repair man so I didnt have to pay for that or for a Mazda spare aircon pipe section). Works fine now!

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:23 pm

If you search on here there are numerous threads on it, I believe I even stuck one on about quick fit doing a re gassing for about £25.00. I am sure someone more learned in this forum can point you towards it. I know there are canisters that can be bought to attempt your own recharge but it is not a simple process. Good luck and happy motoring.

Post by **Ian** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:45 pm

Read the aircon fact sheet in the members only area.

Post by **helen&tony** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:41 pm

Thanks, Dandy, Franco, Grumpo, Mike, David & Ian….. We looked on the fact sheet, and see that it needs to have the oil sucked out, and with your replies saying that DIY is a bit of a problem, and not much saving, we’ll get it “looked at”. The fact that it is just one fill point makes it easier. Now to find someone who can do the job is another matter. There are air-conditioned cars here, but the big problem is that everyone is an expert on anything that you may need doing, but whether they can really do the job is another matter….they are just extremely helpful, and rather poor, and will do any job for cash, but I’m sure we’ll find someone.