Simple question, aircon has ceased working at its normal nipple errecting coldness and Im wondering how easy is it to regas a fabia (non vrs)?

If its a case of getting an aerosol type thing from halfords I might risk it or otherwise pay the £45 quid charge.

Ta:thumbup:

If it needs a regas then you need to have the system tested for leaks etc.

I wouldn't do it yourself but thats just my opinion

Oki doke:thumbup:

Kwik-Fit are doing a regass / leak check for £45, with a guarantee of -10C reduction in temps.

If it doesn't reduce by 10C, there's no charge.

(Had mine regassed for nowt last week, didn't work so no charge. After about 5 miles of running it started working again. Fixed for free )

For £45 I would take the regas which will test it as well (That and the fact the can is £30). If your sure of the system's integrigty then the cans do work, I have used them on Vauxhalls (Used one on a mk4 Astra after replacing the condensor and it worked like a charm) and Vags. They will not fill the system as they can't create a vacuum like the proper refil process is supposed to but they are great for a top up.

For £45 I would take the regas which will test it as well (That and the fact the can is £30). If your sure of the system's integrigty then the cans do work, I have used them on Vauxhalls (Used one on a mk4 Astra after replacing the condensor and it worked like a charm) and Vags. They will not fill the system as they can't create a vacuum like the proper refil process is supposed to but they are great for a top up.

Yes I was going to say that once you have bought enough gas to recharge it - and you would need to buy one of these cans with a built in gauge so that you don't overcharge it - and maybe a second can, you will have spent more than the notional KwikFit "all up" price. Alternatively, find your local "proper A/C fixer" as they will be able to complete the job first time round - and I don't mean a garage!

Get yourself over to Florys in Middlesbrough, they found and repaired the leak on my car which a certain Skoda dealer was unable to locate.

Does anyone know if this would qualify under warranty or if it's a service item. Mines needing done after only 19 months

I would say you have a leak if you need a re-gas on a 19 month old car, so it should be covered under warranty (if they can find the leak!)

They say it should be done every two years. It's a bit like brake pads in that they should last a ccertain amount of time/mileage but who can say they will because of variable conditions. You could find that you didn't use it enough and the seals went which is down to you, you could find out that some road debris has gone through the condensor which again is down to you. Alternatively you could find that it's any number of other things not attributred to normal use. In general you will need to pay to get it fixed, if the compressor/hoses etc have gone then you could probabaly get it sorted under warrranty

Cheers Decron, Some clarification on my part is required, I'm in the same position as the OP. System is working, Just not as cold as it once was.

They say it should be done every two years. It's a bit like brake pads in that they should last a ccertain amount of time/mileage but who can say they will because of variable conditions. You could find that you didn't use it enough and the seals went which is down to you, you could find out that some road debris has gone through the condensor which again is down to you. Alternatively you could find that it's any number of other things not attributred to normal use. In general you will need to pay to get it fixed, if the compressor/hoses etc have gone then you could probabaly get it sorted under warrranty

I could be wrong (not impossible!) but the system on these car runs the compressor all the time but on a form of bypass - so the drying out seals should not be the same problem as the cars with a compressor clutch - but I would think that stone damage to the condenser would be the most likely cause (fixed at your cost) - but you might be lucky. The problem nowadays is with new Fgas reg, anyone that (professionally) handles these gases needs to be certified (well will need to be very soon), this has lead to the roll out of automated recovery/charging stations that a monkey could use - in turn this means that the industry standard for what consistutes a leak leaves a lot to be desired. Commercial leak testing by the likes of KwikFit will involve recovering the remaining liquid > apply a vacumn > if the pressure is dropped low enough within the auto test time then there is no leak > reload with liquid. Proper leak testing involves pressure testing the system with OFN - that takes time and that costs more but once the leaks have been sorted the recharged system should stay fully operational for a lot longer.

Get yourself over to Florys in Middlesbrough, they found and repaired the leak on my car which a certain Skoda dealer was unable to locate.

That was the other place I was looking at:P I think my brother used them before and they were ok, and my dad has told me that they are good too.

Cheers Decron, Some clarification on my part is required, I'm in the same position as the OP. System is working, Just not as cold as it once was.

Get the gas done sooner rather than later as when the gas is low you're working the compressor harder.

A relative had his done at a local Kwik-fit, £45 and they were very helpful, obviously some will be more helpfull than others.

His was making a 'gurgling' noise as well, once done it was running silently

and very very cold, at that price I'm considering getting mine done, as it

is struggling when it's really hot, the bloke that did it also said they should

be done every two years as maintaining them is considerably cheaper

than having a broken one fixed!

Had a bloke come round to top it up, and he put his little meter thing on and said that its full (7 BAR ish).

However, when I put the aircon on, he said the compressor isnt turning but he isnt a mechanic so he is unsure.

Anywho, last year when it did work - when I turned it on it would make a distinctive noise like a pump should, and the revs raised slightly and icy cool air was produced.

This time round the noise isnt there, but the revs raise, but I dont get the same icy cool air.

I have changed the dusty but not leafy pollen filter but this hasnt made much of a difference. I have also checked what I think is the fuse for the aircon and that seems ok too.

Any suggestions?

Mike:thumbup:

Had mine done at Kwikfit - first time in 9 years. Works a treat (at the moment at least)

Andy

IIRC, air con is filled by weight of refrigerant, pressures are not as important, although it does sound as though you have another problem too, possibly the evaporation temperature sender which seems like another common Fabia fault?

My cous went to KF for a regas but they said there was a leak.

Either a pip or the compressor.

Any ideas how expensive a fix that is?

Had a bloke come round to top it up, and he put his little meter thing on and said that its full (7 BAR ish).

However, when I put the aircon on, he said the compressor isnt turning but he isnt a mechanic so he is unsure.

Any suggestions?

Well, I've got a similar-sounding problem and was told it's something to do with the pulley on the compressor failing - not sure of the exact details as I wasn't present when the air-con bloke took a look, but as I don't appear to have any option I've agreed for him to order a replacement (only available from Skoda and ridiculously expensive :irked:) and I'll try and find out more when he fits it.

IIRC, air con is filled by weight of refrigerant, pressures are not as important, although it does sound as though you have another problem too, possibly the evaporation temperature sender which seems like another common Fabia fault?

IIRC the fabia doesn't use the same clutch as the octy I does, so it won't be that.

If the system has too much or not enough pressure it will cut out I believe, so I'd get it checked by something that takes the gas out and weighs it then puts in the correct weight of gas and lubrication oils.

Also get the wiring to the compressor and the compressor itself checked perhaps.