Hi all, has anyone had a recent cost for an A/C service on a 1.5 tsi Karoq. My car is due its second service end of October and the dealer has just contacted me by email saying the A/C service is also due.

The sales blurb says that all systems loose gas ( refrigerant) over time but I don't believe this to be true. So what exactly does this service entail? Any help here would be appreciated.

1 hour ago, Widescreen said:

all systems loose gas ( refrigerant) over time

Correct, but there's no need to pay main stealer prices for an A/C service which will consist of draining the old refrigerant, leak testing the system if needed, and refilling with a known mass of refrigerant and oil.

1 hour ago, Widescreen said:

The sales blurb says that all systems loose gas ( refrigerant) over time but I don't believe this to be true.

True.

 

Did one of my car's AC on Saturday.

Recovery was 195 g and refilled with 450 g of R134a.

This car had lost just over half of the refrigerant since last time I did it, 5 years ago. 

 

Does it still work well? ( If it does then maybe don't bother. )

 

Which type of refrigerant do you have?

 

R134a refrigerant slowly, Cost less than three figures.

R1234yf refrigerant quicker. Cost more than three figures.

( unless you have a leak. )

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Doing an aircon service is a very profitable add on for a dealer, it is unlikely to need doing after a mere 24 months.   If it was me I would decline.   If it needs work done much better off at an a/c specialist as dealers charge fortune.

 

There are many people on here who have never let anyone touch it, and it is still working fine after 8+ years.   It is one of those things that the old saying if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it applies.  Because as soon as you start fiddling things seem to go wrong.

 

4 minutes ago, SurreyJohn said:

Doing an aircon service is a very profitable add on for a dealer, it is unlikely to need doing after a mere 24 months.   If it was me I would decline.   If it needs work done much better off at an a/c specialist as dealers charge fortune.

 

There are many people on here who have never let anyone touch it, and it is still working fine after 8+ years.   It is one of those things that the old saying if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it applies.  Because as soon as you start fiddling things seem to go wrong.

 

I agree +9 years here and AC going perfectly

Thanks to Ken and AG Falcon for their comments. I have no issue with getting the A/C serviced every 2 years if this is a Skoda requirement. I guess the only way forward for me is to ask my dealer the cost and exactly what work they intend to do. I trust dealers not a lot. Another brand dealer charges £49 for gas recovery and refill and additional £20 for anti bacterial spray and clean out. I will post the outcome in a week or two when I book the car in for its main service.

 

Surrey John. I have heard and read dealers state that A/C systems "permeate " 10 to 15% of gas a year into the atmosphere and if this was the case no wonder we have global warming. The statement is not true, they are high pressure, sealed systems and if they are short of gas then the connectors / seals etc are faulty or some damage has occurred. I have split systems at home without loss of gas in 10 years. I'm  on your side and it's just a money spinner. However if not servicing the a/c at 2 years causes problems with my warranty  then I will have it done. Soussi agrees 

Thanks to all

An AC service is only a “requirement” when the performance falls off.

 

Condition Based Maintenance is smartest.

 

It’s a Skoda (dealer) requirement to take as much money as possible from gullible Skoda owners.

 

As stated above, service AC when necessary. And always cheaper and possibly better at a specialist.

 

 

58 minutes ago, Widescreen said:

 I have split systems at home without loss of gas in 10 years. I'm  on your side and it's just a money spinner.

 

A completely different kettle of fish, just like a fridge the pumps & valves etc are within the sealed system no flexible hoses which permeate gas, no rotary seals to atmosphere all is encased in the steel cylinder containing the refrigerant, all pipes brazed or the connecting pipes have flared couplings, if a domestic aircon or fridge system loses charge there is a hole somewhere.

 

The ones with the pre-filled connection coils with dry brake couplings will leak a non negligable amount through the seals and eventually need recharging, the O rings and flexible hoses that the gas companies use on their equipment cost mega money.

The thing is with aircon is that very very few people ever look after their systems, and that "has been working fine for years" turns quickly into "only needs a regas" when it comes to selling the car on. The lay public barely service their cars.

 

2 years is pretty soon, I tend to service mine every 5 years or so. The Missus' 2004 fabia still has ice cold aircon and that's because it has been looked after. Paying dividends with a toddler in this hot weather!

Only ever had one ‘air-con’ service done and that was certainly a ‘con’.

Vehicle came back blowing warmer than when it went in………dealer claimed the temperature was ‘within spec’.

I’m in the if it’s working leave it alone camp now.

Me too Berisford. And since an aircon service isn't included in a Skoda Service Plan, I don't see it as essential to maintain the warranty. 

 

Chris

As a follow up, my Skoda Dealer, Trust in Stourbridge answered my question " is the A/C service at 2 years, advisory or mandatory?" Advisory they stated and went on to try and explain loss of gas etc. I therefore declined the service. My car at this point is showing 5965 miles in 23 months from new.  Right decision or wrong, time will tell.

 

Overall I am very happy with the vehicle and it has been faultless apart from the original fuel flap issue which was quickly resolved.

Just changed the 2 keyfob batteries for Duracel 2025s and I also did this 12months ago. 

On 15/09/2021 at 22:08, Widescreen said:

Thanks to Ken and AG Falcon for their comments. I have no issue with getting the A/C serviced every 2 years if this is a Skoda requirement. I guess the only way forward for me is to ask my dealer the cost and exactly what work they intend to do. I trust dealers not a lot. Another brand dealer charges £49 for gas recovery and refill and additional £20 for anti bacterial spray and clean out. I will post the outcome in a week or two when I book the car in for its main service.

 

 

There are two types of fluid/gas, as stated earlier. The older type may be changed for the quoted £49, but the more modern fluid will cost a fair bit more. Kwik Fit are advertising the newer gas at £99, by far the cheapest I've seen.