Hi,

My 5-year old RS was recently in to the dealer as the climatronic was not blowing any cold air. Turned out that there was little or no pressure in the system, so after refilling with new refrigerant everything is now back to normal.

Is 5 years about average for needing the air-con system re-gassed? Or should it have lasted longer?

The dealer also said something which didn't sound quite right to me (quoting as accurately as I can): "Oh, it's normal for the gas to get used up by running the air-conditioning. We've had customers who run their air-con all the time use up all their gas in only 2 years".

It's a pressurised, sealed system. The gas shouldn't get "used up", unless my understanding is way off. The gas will gradually leak out (I've seen leakages rates quoted of around 10% per year), and not using the car or the air-con may cause premature leakage as the refrigerant carries the lubricating oil to the compressor seals. But to claim that normal usage should "use up" your refrigerant sounds quite wacky - especially from a (supposedly) reputable franchised Skoda dealer...

David.

My dealer has a little notice in a frame saying "Did you know" apparently after one year the air-con can be 85% effective and after two can be 60% effective.

Not quite fantastic advertising for Skoda, but I suppose effective for their £85 air-con servicing service.

I think mine needs doing and thats hitting 3 years with minimal air-con use.

The air con specialists I've used usually recommend every 3 years if it's used continuously, or more frequently if it's only switched on occasionally. I don't know whether that's to keep them in business or if it's genuinely required. My Mondeo is just over 4 years old and the air con is still uncomfortably cold

Chris

I think mine needs doing and thats hitting 3 years with minimal air-con use.

That's because the less you use it, the more likely leaks are to develop through lack of the lubricating oil being circulated. Probably not such a big deal on the Fabia as the air con is always on, but worth bearing in mind

Chris

That's because the less you use it' date=' the more likely leaks are to develop through lack of the lubricating oil being circulated. Probably not such a big deal on the Fabia as the air con is always on, but worth bearing in mind

Chris[/quote']

I find I use it lots when its hot and not a lot when it's cold. Due to the whole summer/winter thing that makes half a year of not much use

i rang the main skoda dealer in my area where i bought my tavia and asked about a re-gas. they said they would'nt have anything to do with the air-con system and it was a job for a specialist.typical irish service.

I had mine done after 4 1/4 years. The system had lost around 25% of the refrigerant gas in that period.

I tend to use mine just as much in the winter because air circulation prevents the screen misting up.

I had mine done today at the dealer at (strangely) precisely three years old to the day. I guess I hadn't noticed that it was becoming gradually less effective over time until it failed completely on Saturday.

Cost for a re-gas, clean, filter change and check (it wasn't leaking) was

my fabia VRS lost approx 200grams of gas (should be 550g)over a 28 month period , so the figures quoted by the stealer of 60% effective after 2 years sound about right

has anybody tried one of these diy aircon refill kits from Halfrauds. Not sure if they are suitable but may try one on wifes Xsara (should cause a serious loss even if it doesn't work!)

I find I use it lots when its hot and not a lot when it's cold. Due to the whole summer/winter thing that makes half a year of not much use

Keeps the car cool in the summer, dries out the moisture in the car in the winter. I use mine all year round

Chris

Mines now over 7 years old and is still working, just. It blows cool air now rather than cold and wasn't that much use in the recent hot weather. Time for a regas.

AndyC

Keeps the car cool in the summer' date=' dries out the moisture in the car in the winter. I use mine all year round

Chris[/quote']

Exactly so. I've even managed to persuade my mum to use the air in her Sickbrick in winter to stop it steaming up.

as with all things in life depends how much you use it

I have a contact that is a mobile unit, comes to you and charges £50, for me... maybe more for reg customers But worth all checking around for a independant or non-dealer garage, you could save the extra cost the dealer charges to ensure they have that pretty carpet on the floor....lol

Q

PS:- I arranges it for a friends motor, as my felicia has natures air-con (i.e WINDOWS...lol)

Mine has lost a bit of gas, I reckon, although it was still adequate in the recent HOT weather.

I had mine regassed recently, but that was only because they don't do just an anti-bacterail flush out, and i was feeling really ill after being in the car with the a/c on.

It's a bit cooler, but i think the system was fine before hand apart from the bugs.