Yep I had it recharged and yes the recharge included a vacuum leak test that must have lasted about 45 mins (the whole process to about 1hr 15mins, I saw it doing the leak test) and was told the machine it was hooked up to would not rechage if there was a leak.

Strangely though and even more confusing it worked on the way in to work this morning! - very cold air with an outside temp of 18 so it was easy to tell. Yesterday was warmer (about 21 here) so not sure if that had anything to do with it but I reckon the EVAP sensor has to be a candidate... yes?

Strangely though and even more confusing it worked on the way in to work this morning! - very cold air with an outside temp of 18 so it was easy to tell. Yesterday was warmer (about 21 here) so not sure if that had anything to do with it but I reckon the EVAP sensor has to be a candidate... yes?

Yes, the EVAP sensor is looking like the culprit mate.

Interesting thread. We have dead aircon on a Fabia. VAG dealer says it's not the compressor and has gassed it. Still dead.

Dealer will try a switch & not charge if it doesn't work (manager is a neighbour).

Leaves new fans & £400+ bill. That's more than a 2001 1.4 100bhp Fabia's worth.

Oh, it's been VERY unreliable. Front suspension collapses at the sight of a road undulation, water in the rear floor, shocks, total brake rebuild. If it was a classic car I wouldn't mind restoring it!

Any bright ideas, apart from EVAP - I'll suggest that.

Well having asked these questions some two months ago I finally got round to fitting the EVAP sensor toady and result - lovely cool air!

So massive thansk to Apogee for the how-to!

PS - took me an hour to fit from start to finish (including trying to unplug the dials instead of the sensor - was looking too high!)