I too am a qualified mechanic and have run a garage for twenty odd years now, and will back up what Ross correctly states.

Aircon systems may well 'work' for many years without being touched, but them you can also run a car for years without changing the oil!

However, this is false economy, as either of these foolish money saving ideas can easily cause hideously expensive problems, which somebody has to pay for!

I don't buy older used cars with a/c any more, after being that 'somebody' a few times!!

As Ross said,

Domestic refridgeration engineers! Don't make me laugh...A car a/c is under much more stress than the white goods parked in a nice clean kitchen environment' date=' and use slightly different gas/oil.

Do what you want with your own car, just don't sell it to me afterwards

JT[/quote']

If this is the case, why does

a) my car have a sticker claiming R134a refridgerant used? Most domestic refridgeration uses this gas, although those who are clever are leaving it for R600a. So if the gas is the same, the chances are the oil is the same as the gas is a very delicate and sensitive gas and is molecularly smaller than previously used.

And if car air-con systems are so different, why did a company I worked for do the odd air-con regas that a certain maker that had to have done??

Whilst I dont doubt or disagree that the air-con system of a car may be under a slightly more agressive enviroment, lets not forget that an air-con system is just a frifge system gone mobile and therefore they are all very similar in operation and components required.

Lets also not forget that as the air-con system of a car is in a more hostile enviroment, it may be expected that it would then be built in a manner capable of handling those conditions.

Maybe an occaisional service of your air-con system may be a good thing, but to roster it in every 2 years doesnt give a reassuring feeling for something that is supposed to be a sealed system.

Just spoke to th elocal autoclimate place - an air con service is

Had mine regassed in the summer (car was 3 1/2 years old) and I used a company out of the phone book. Came to 50 quid and they came to my house and did it on my drive. Whole process took an hour. They said the amount of gas in there was about half what it should be and recommended an "evac and refill" every couple of years.

Shame the lack of gas wasn't the reason the air con was broken, but there yer go

Chris

Evap temp sensor wasnt it Chris?

Got them down to a fine art now, about 20 mins work max (not that it helps you one bit...lol).

Evap temp sensor wasnt it Chris?

Got them down to a fine art now' date=' about 20 mins work max (not that it helps you one bit...lol).[/quote']

Certainly was. And 20 mins! :eek: Next time it goes, you can show me how to change it that quickly .... I'm assuming you leave the dash in place

Chris

Oh yeah the dash dont move a bit, just need to have bendy arms

Oh and a spare bracket for the conveinance ECU hepls, still aint figured how to get them off in one piece...lol.