Had the car 6 months and and Air con has always worked(at least it was a little colder than on "econ" mode). So I took it to Kwikfit for a regass and they tried it, said it didn't work and then removed all the gas, now it does next to nothing.

It is in the dealers next week for service/mot/coil packs, wondered if there is anything I should mention to them to check. Are there any obvious things it could be?

Sounds like leaking seals.

Easy to diagnose?

I assume that's why the gas was removed again. Failed pressure testing part of the refill.

It could be anything, its worth telling them about it but they'll probably want to try to gas it up ( should be with an inert gas ) to find any possible leak. These days regulations say we have to remove all gas from a system we believe is defective or likely to leak.

Meh, shaping up to be an expensive month or so, tax, mot, service, new disc and pads.......

Best put the mods on hold till see if this is going to cost me!

this has me worried now. the electro magnets in mine are dead apparently. Still blows slightly cold air but needs a regas tbh. dont want to be left with no gas!

Either it was buggered already or Crap Fit did a bodge job and buggered it. Hard to say why really.

You can do without your A/C till June really, can't you? Just an idea if finances are tight.

As for it being a bad job... Its hard to do wrong to be honest.

It can fail pressure tests for all sorts of reasons, it doesn't actually mean it has a leak,

There is 4 stages to a regas,

First stage is fit pipes off machine and remove gas in system, this is usually a good sign of how health system is as it will show how much pressure if anys in system to start with,

Second stage is to vac the system, default on out machine at work is 20mins but thats a minimum and older systems should be done for longer as it cleans the system of any moisture thats built up over time, after this has finished it is pressure tested for 2 minutes or should i say it is tested to see if it can hold the vacuum that has built up while its been taking moisture out of system, this is the bit alot of people fall down with because the machines arn't always right as they pressure test using vacuum not positive pressure, (aircon system usually runs around 50-60psi depending where you are in system)

Third stage you put the oil that lubricates the compressor back into the system this somtimes also contains a dye that can been seen under ultra violet light to help find leaks in the system

Fourth stage is to regas the system with however much gas it takes

Then its usally good pratice to make sure it works for abit and maybe check round for leaks if you suspect it has any as said above your not really ment to leak the gas in if you suspect it has a leak

Wherever you have aircon system looked at ask to have a look at there certificate or card as from last year all mechanic / techinicians whatever we get called these days have to have gone on a course to say we can work on aircon systems and know what were doing

this has me worried now. the electro magnets in mine are dead apparently. Still blows slightly cold air but needs a regas tbh. dont want to be left with no gas!

If your magnets are shot there is no point in doing a regas as the magnets are used to move the compressor and if they don't work then it won't pump the gas round system anyway

Was in a real rush, had to pick boy up from school so I couldn't get a full explanation of why it didn't work, though got the impression they didn't really know.

Funds are ok, just didn't want to spend cash repairs rather than other things. Will ask the dealers about it next week when I take the car in.

at least you shouldn't have paid at Kwik fit for a failed regas. unlike other places.

at least you shouldn't have paid at Kwik fit for a failed regas. unlike other places.

Indeed, and if money was paid get back and ask for a refund.

You'd think wouldn't so you? have heard problems with their 'regas' service though from members on here.

You can do without your A/C till June really, can't you? Just an idea if finances are tight.

As for it being a bad job... Its hard to do wrong to be honest.

Edited 17 March, 201214 yr by Liverpool-Lad

Issues?

Id take it to an aircon specialist, may well be cheaper than a dealer...

Id take it to an aircon specialist, may well be cheaper than a dealer...

Sounds like a good plan. Just to find one.....

Thanks volvoMeg for the fantastic reply. Is the process you described commonly used? I get the impression a lot of places just put more gas in and thats that!

Its weird the air con on my car, as i said apparently the electros are dead. However the car does definately blow colder than ambient air. I dont know if that is still a symptom of a buggered air con system. Would a new pump fix that ?

Yellow pages!

Edited 18 March, 201214 yr by Liverpool-Lad