Climatronic aircon threw a bit of a wobbly last week. Got in the car after work and it was a bit stuffy. No problem thinks I, climatronic will soon have me at a pleasant 18.5 degrees, and sure enough the fan started spooling up.

Anyway, 10 mins or so passed and I notice the vents were pumping out hot air. The only way to get cool was manually turn the fan doen and open tghe window, as I don't have the optional off switch. Turning the temp down to LO had no effect.

This behaviour continued all weekend, with no useful demisting being available, but a day off yesterday seems to have cured it as normal, pleasantly cool, service seems to have returned.

Has anybody else had the same? Would a regas/aircon service be a good idea?

I would probably go for an aircon service/ recharge. I think Skoda recommend this should be done every 2 years now

I'm getting mine gassed for the same reasons. Should be done every 2-3 years anyway.

Must get mine done ASAP its not that its not cold but my mum's little Hyundai Getz is colder yet is 2 months older lol 30 at my local place www.klimakool.co.uk

I would probably go for an aircon service/ recharge. I think Skoda recommend this should be done every 2 years now

Love the idea of a spare wheel Al, where can i get one.

Love the idea of a spare wheel Al, where can i get one.

Lol it's only listed there as it's now an optional extra

Right, seems it needs a regass. Think I might try Kwikfit - any horror stories?

Right, seems it needs a regass. Think I might try Kwikfit - any horror stories?

To be fair to them I took Mrs Phosphoric's car there for a re-gas. They set it up on the rig and after about 30 mins came back to me and said that I had a leak and they could not continue.....no charge!

The rig looks automatic so I don't see how they could stuff it up.

...as I don't have the optional off switch. Turning the temp down to LO had no effect.

Just keep turning the fan speed down, this has the same effect as the 'off' switch.

Right, seems it needs a regass. Think I might try Kwikfit - any horror stories?

Why take it to Kwikfit, there are loads of smaller independant aircon specialists that will provide you with a much more professional /personal service.

It's like taking your car to Halfords for a service, I just don't get it.

Why take it to Kwikfit, there are loads of smaller independant aircon specialists that will provide you with a much more professional /personal service.

Having looked into this today, Local air-con specialists are charging £70+, Halfords £70 and Kwikfit £50 - with no charge guarantee if they cant improve or gas leaks.

The 3 specialists I phoned will keep £20-30 for their troubles if the system has a leak and I choose not to get them to repair it ontop of the re-gas.

I'll therefore be taking my business to Kwikfit.

Right, seems it needs a regass. Think I might try Kwikfit - any horror stories?

On the contrary, had my Primera done there when they had an £25 offer on and work was done satisfactorily. As other posters have said, they just hook it up to a machine so it seems relatively foolproof.

I would probably go for an aircon service/ recharge. I think Skoda recommend this should be done every 2 years now

Recommended but not needed. Basically theory is use it or loose it.

If you don't use it the seals will dry up and gas will leak. If you use it regular then it shouldn't loose any gas, keeping the cold air coming.

As long as it is cold it will be fine and best to not mess with it.

does the gas for the air con not have a lube in it for the compressor, to help with the bearings.

Just to update you all, it is booked in at Kwik Fit tomorrow morning. As other have said, they seem to be the cheapest and if it doesn't work I get my money back.

Will update again tomorrow.

Im not conviced it will be just a re-gas. I have just had my compressor replaced and a full air-con service (so its full of gas) and mine will blow cold but then seems to get confused and though its blowing air its not cold (even though the cabin is heating up in the sunlight/heat again). I have been turning my aircon off, switching between econ and auto (at LO setting) and it then decides it needs to blow cold again and starts cooling. This seems intermittant-but resolved by forcing a colder temp and flicking air-con on and off.

vcds errors?

vcds errors?

Turns out i have one the aircon flap isnt opening fully so is blowing both cold and hot air, it doesnt need gassed its perfect that way....

Yet another issue along with new clutch release bearing, starter motor, n80purge valve is there any reliable cars out there.

Mine hasn't logged any faults, but it didn't log any when the compressor was seized before that was replaced.

If it does it again with my laptop and cable handy I will log the outputs-but it happens on long trips (or that's when I notice mine playing up) as Alastairw was describing!

Another update.

Kwik Fit did the re-gas, but had to give me my money back as there was no improvement. Can't fault the service, it just didn't work.

Next thing to try is to whip the pollen filter out to see if it maks a difference. If not, may be time for some proper diagnosis at the dealer - luckily I have a warranty that should cover this, as there is noway I can afford a compressor or other majotr repairs.

As an aside in the 18 months I have had the Octy it has been the most expensive car I have ever had in terms of maintenance. A new clutch (my fault), cambelt replacement etc have really added up.

I know, bad form to reply to ones own thread.

Anyway, I took the pollen filter out and ran the engine without it, for a few minutes. Absolutely no difference. :(

So what the thinking? Is it that stuck valve on the compressor, or could it be a stuck flap in the dashboard ducting?

**wanders off to check warranty paperwork**

Someone with vcds should be able to help you find the fault

I had a similar fault on my 2006 Elegance. The air con would blow warm air at you for the first 10 minutes, my journey home takes 11!. Spirited driving would give really cold air but once in traffic the air would get warm again. Took it to a local specailist for a regas and he said that the compresor wasn't doing anything, "it may be the clutch or it maybe the compressor". quoted £500 cash for a new Hella compressor fitted and system regassed, it was the compressor as the car gets a really cold now. This is a common fault with certain compressors and seemingly on VW's as well. As my car has done 113k I don't think this was too bad as the car was bought cheaper anyway.

Edited 15 August, 201114 yr by roynhayley