I have a 2008 Octavia 2.0 Diesel Estate L&K. It began with the AC not blowing cold air. I took it to Halfords who recharged it but within 2 weeks the same problem returned. I should say this is my wife's car and the problem may have returned much sooner.

I returned and they recharged it and put dye in. I was told to return in 2-3 days - by 3 days I returned and all the reagent was gone and I was told I had returned too late. It was recharged again and I returned within 24 hours but they were unable to determine a leak. I should say initially when recharged the AC is ice cold. They told me that they had replaced "valves" as they though it was this that caused the loss.

The AC quickly failed again and they now say it may be one of the metal pipes from the compressor.

I plan to go to a specialist AC garage to get their opinion but wondered if anyone had any experience of this sort of rapid loss of freon without there being an obvious cause.

Thanks in advance

I think that Halfrauds being unable to find a leak after a dye test is a comment on Halfrauds!

I have a 2008 VRS Petrol, with the exact same symptoms. I have fitted a new pressure valve (apparently a common failure)

It was re-gassed on Tuesday of this week, and by the end of the same day...all gas gone.

This is after they performed vacuum tests on it and confirmed there is no pressure loss.

 

I am interested to see how you fare and am looking into solutions for mine also

Just had our Octavia Aircon analysed by local specialist. Seems our compressor is US but that doesn't sound like your problem. Happened to have our other car done at the same time - an Alfa. All working fine but then after vacuum test the guy did a high pressure test with dye. There is no point in doing a vacuum test without following with a high pressure test with dye in the system and a sensor to detect the source of the leak.  He used some sort of wand which picked up a leak from the condenser which was leaking freon badly although completely invisible to the naked eye. Not saying that's the issue here but it could be the problem. I think the only people to get to do aircon are the specialists. This guy came to our home and had a van full of all the necessary equipment. Charged £ 55 per car for analysis. He's local here so too far for you I fear but there should be local specialists where you are. But there is really no point in refilling with freon if there is a leak. Condensers aree susceptible to leaks - just like radiators but you cannot try any sort of seal as that would block the whole system. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies. I've arranged for a local mobile specialist firm to check the car this week, so will repost after this.