I have a 06 Ambiente 1.6 Petrol.

 

I can see the previous owner of my car got the air con re-gassed last june at the main skoda dealership however I didn't feel no cold air owning it nowadays so I went to the air con specialist in Birmingham today:

 

http://www.carairconbirmingham.co.uk/

 

Before they touched my car I told them about the re-gassing last june.

 

So they did a Vacuum test and it passed, also they added dye and re-gassed my aircon for £30 however they didn't shine a UV light to see if there's any leaks but I assume there is no leaks in my car because it passed a vacuum test but then again why did the specialist add dye to my car. Its confusing.

 

To maintain air conditioning for my car how long should I let the AC run for and how many times a week?

 

Also how come I didn't get cold air when the previous owner had only just got it re-gassed last june? I thought re-gassing last 2 years according to VAG group.

Edited 25 March, 201511 yr by Laureen1979

I have a 06 Ambiente 1.6 Petrol.

 

I can see the previous owner of my car got the air con re-gassed last june at the main skoda dealership however I didn't feel no cold air so I went to the air con specialist in Birmingham today:

 

http://www.carairconbirmingham.co.uk/

 

And they did a Vacuum test and it passed, also they added dye and re-gassed my aircon for £30.

 

To maintain air conditioning for my car how long should I let the it run for?

I run mine every second journey for about 20 minutes each way,it just keeps everything ticking over nicely.It only takes a couple of miles per gallon off your consumption.

Edited 25 March, 201511 yr by faradaycage

I can't answer all of your questions however they would have added dye so if there is a leak in the future it is picked up immediately.

I run my air con once a week for about 10mins.

The refrigerant contains oil which along with providing compressor lubrication keeps drive shaft seals intact, if the system doesn't run for a while the seals dry out as the system is not hermetic (it is engine driven instead).

The dye has been added to make it easier for themselves to find a leak should you go back.

If you do have an issue and have to go back again, ensure they add oil into the system as well. (If it is a big chain you are getting it done at this should be done by the machine) Hope this helps

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Edited 25 March, 201511 yr by JoeFifty

Most of our cars run the variable displacement compressors not a clutch type, they never fully turn off to allow lubrication to the parts so no need to switch on occasionally.

The dye is normally used to find small leaks over a period of time. Vacuum checks are good for big leaks but nitrogen should be used to pressure test the system, vacuum can pull seals the other way and mask a leak.

As soon after I had my car re gassed I can feel cold air when I press the AC. From this can we rule out that the condenser, compressor, pressure switch is working fine and the only possibility left is a leak?

 

What are the common problems when it comes to Octavia II Air conditioning?

As soon after I had my car re gassed I can feel cold air when I press the AC. From this can we rule out that the condenser, compressor, pressure switch is working fine and the only possibility left is a leak?

 

What are the common problems when it comes to Octavia II Air conditioning?

Sounds like yours is running fine now,all cars air-con systems need re-gassing from time to time,its completely normal,nothing to worry about.

Lets hope so, I keep you guys updated.

Update:

 

Today I still feel cold air from the AC. So does that mean that my AC system is all fine and there are no leaks?

Update:

 

Today I still feel cold air from the AC. So does that mean that my AC system is all fine and there are no leaks?

Sounds like it,unless you've got any nasty smells coming from it? Did you say the re-gas guys had changed the pollen /cabin air filter for you when they re-gassed it,I can't remember ?If not you might want to change it yourself for peace of mind.If so,go the the Framm filters site,click on the cabin /pollen filter section and type in your make and model,and they will tell you exactly what filter you need and if you click on the bluey/green icon next to the filter listing it will take you to a step by step set of pictures showing you how to change the filter yourself.On most Skoda models it only takes about one minute to change the filter.Check the filter serial number printed on the side is the same as the one you've bought and you're good to go,job done.

I have the same issue on mine. I was without it all last year after having it regassed the previous summer but didn't have the cash to fix. Got it checked out in January this year and it passed the pressure test so they regassed with dye. As of a month ago I get no cold air again so there would seem to be a leak somewhere.

 

I'm booking in again in the next week or so to investigate this again and so other items.

 

Dan

The garage have diagnosed a leak in the condenser today for me, £490 for a new one fully fitted including regassing. This is a bit too rich for my liking at the minute, any suggestions for a cheaper fix welcome!

That is REALLY expensive............last year I had the condenser replaced on my 08 plate diesel Octavia from an air conditioning specialist in Middlesbrough, all in the complete job was just over £350 for the parts, fitting and regas. Shop around, and you should get that considerably cheaper. Just checked Euro Car Parts webside, the Hella unit (OEM) is £122 + vat. If a condenser can be got for that, you are looking on this quote of over £300 labour just for fitting and gassing up!

Job takes about 3 hours, and it is a major front end strip down to replace the condenser. I was horrified when I saw how much work needed doing just to get the condenser in and out! Photo of my car during repairs to give you some idea!

There is more than one type of condenser fitted to the Octavia, so an 08 may be different to an 06.

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Update:

 

Today I noticed a problem with the AC today. Its blowing cold air but not as cold as before and also I can hear a sound from the dashboard air vents when the AC is on. Sounds like a faint gas hissing noise like when you open a can of pop but more fainter. Sound is constant when AC is on. Cant notice any sounds from the engine bay.

 

My AC was working fine for the last 2 months sinced I re-gassed it in March and now all of a sudden this problem pops up.

Ok I had it re-gassed 2 months ago as mentioned at the top of this thread and during those 2 months it was working fine.

 

So is it a leak in the network or the Condenser isn't working?

 

Mines last 2 months while yours has last 2 weeks does this mean your leak is bigger than mine?

 

I was thinking if I get it re-gassed again will it last me another 2 months?

I am just thinking which is better overall?:

 

Getting it re-gassed for £25 lasting for 2 months. Will do this Every Summer meaning £25 a year. British summer is only 3 weeks a year or..

 

Getting a £400 condenser. Unless I am keeping the car for 16 years or more I guess the £25 a year option makes financial sense.

 

What do you guys think which is better?

It's illegal to knowingly refill a leaking system. The garage should refuse to do it.

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It may be cheaper... but as above it's illegal and irresponsible.

 

The gasses are harmful to the environment so to knowingly fill a leaking system to have all the gas escape is nonsense.

 

The sound you describe definitely signifies low gas levels so you must have a leak somewhere. Common place is the condenser due to stones hitting it.

 

I recently had mine re-gassed as I'm not even sure it had ever been done. It wasn't performing quite how I was expecting, taking a while to get cold and I had the same noises as you describe.

 

Working perfectly now.

 

Phil

Hats off to you Mike, you have the patience of a saint.

I am just thinking which is better overall?:

 

Getting it re-gassed for £25 lasting for 2 months. Will do this Every Summer meaning £25 a year. British summer is only 3 weeks a year or..

 

Getting a £400 condenser. Unless I am keeping the car for 16 years or more I guess the £25 a year option makes financial sense.

 

What do you guys think which is better?

 

It's a common misconception that aircon is only any use in hot weather - it is also very good at dehumidifying, so it works well to stop your windows steaming up in wet weather regardless of temperature. 

 

Surely no-one would be so irresponsible to knowingly pump toxic refrigerant fumes into the atmosphere to save a few quid.......  Fix it properly or stop using it - they're the only two options.

OMG not another one

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This threads just reminded me that I need to get mine checked

 

Only just bought the car, and its not blowing cold.

 

Fingers crossed its just a regas required 

Ok should I be concerned about the faint hissing noise coming from the dashboard air vent? Does this noise mean its leaking toxic gases into the cabin?

I am just thinking which is better overall?:

 

Getting it re-gassed for £25 lasting for 2 months. Will do this Every Summer meaning £25 a year. British summer is only 3 weeks a year or..

 

Getting a £400 condenser. Unless I am keeping the car for 16 years or more I guess the £25 a year option makes financial sense.

 

What do you guys think which is better?

 

As you haven't had the problem diagnosed, how do you know it's the condensor?  Why can't is be a 5 dollar o-ring or a 100 flex hose that's given up?

 

Hey, maybe the whole system has collapsed and you're up for $4000?

 

I'll have to remember that logic next time I have a piece of equipment leaking into a water supply dam.  "It's Ok fellas.  Keep topping it up, the oil is only $100 a year.  Better than spending $5000 fixing the mechanicals."   LOL

Ye I went to the air con specialist this morning, the same air con specialist that re-gassed it 2 months ago. With his UV light he couldn't see a leak. Maybe the leak is so small its hard to see so he re-gassed it free of charge and added in more fresh dye. AC is working fine now no more strange hissing noise.