Passat AC slow to cool

Donie75

Hi, my 07 Passat has climate control AC. When I start driving it, the AC takes ages to cool down. It can take 20 to 30 minutes. Will a regas sort this out?

jca

Donie75 wrote: »

Hi, my 07 Passat has climate control AC. When I start driving it, the AC takes ages to cool down. It can take 20 to 30 minutes. Will a regas sort this out?

I'd try one of those cans from Halfords. The purists will be down my neck but I've used the can on a few cars that the aircon works but is very slow. I wouldn't use it on a completely non operational system without getting the system checked for leaks.

Anan1

Donie75 wrote: »

Hi, my 07 Passat has climate control AC. When I start driving it, the AC takes ages to cool down. It can take 20 to 30 minutes. Will a regas sort this out?

It depends what's wrong with it. AC service is cheap these days, so I see no reason to spend money on a can that might not work.

Bigcheeze

Donie75 wrote: »

Hi, my 07 Passat has climate control AC. When I start driving it, the AC takes ages to cool down. It can take 20 to 30 minutes. Will a regas sort this out?

What way is it behaving ? When it's on auto, is the fan speed increasing by itself ? i.e. it is trying to cool but just blowing warm air ?

Also make sure the Econ button is not pressed.

Del2005

jca wrote: »

I'd try one of those cans from Halfords. The purists will be down my neck but I've used the can on a few cars that the aircon works but is very slow. I wouldn't use it on a completely non operational system without getting the system checked for leaks.

A 6 year old system which hasn't been used since last summer will need more than a can of gas. The seals may be gone etc. Last year FastFit where about the same price for a checkout as a can and adapter from a motor factors.

Donie75

Thanks for the replies.
The AC seems very slow to cool. I left the car park in full sunlight yesterday and it was very hot when I returned. The car is black so it gets very hot. I turned on the AC/CC and it blew warm air for ages. I tried it on recirculate and ECO was not selected. Eventually after around 25 minutes it cooled down but I had to run it on Lo with the fan running full blast to get any sort of cooling.
The local Fast Fit are not offering the check and regas yet and the local VW dealer wants €120 for a regas and around €75 to €125 to run a diagnostic test. There is another guy who does testing and regas so I'll try him later today.

jca

He never said he hadn't used the aircon since last summer. If the seals were gone it wouldn't cool the air at all, in fact it would never start because the pressure would be zero. I said in my post not to use a can on a completely non operational system. I think it just needs topping up to replace the gas that gets lost because no aircon system is completely air tight. Every second annual service I check my aircon with the can and it always takes a small amount of gas. I leave my aircon on all year round to keep the seals lubricated. I'd try the can..

R.O.R

We are seeing a lot of failures of the A/C compressor on Passat's at the moment. Most of our 07's are gone so it's 09 / 10 models.

VW are offering a good will contribution, but only on recon units - and they don't have any recon units in stock. Hundreds of new units, but they won't give any support on them.

galwayjohn89

I'm currently in fastfit getting my car regassed. Hasnt been used in years so will be interesting to see the improvement. Its €40 so roughly same price as a can.

jca

Vuzuggu wrote: »

I'm currently in fastfit getting my car regassed. Hasnt been used in years so will be interesting to see the improvement. Its €40 so roughly same price as a can.

Well. How did it work out?

JHet

I have a 05 b6 passat and I got it regased last year and the optional airbomb for 50 quid in fastfit. Thought the compressor might be gone so for 40-50 beans was worth a shot. Worked a treat and have nice cool air ever since. Give them a try. A lot better than that can of spray stuff anyhow.

jca

JHet wrote: »

I have a 05 b6 passat and I got it regased last year and the optional airbomb for 50 quid in fastfit. Thought the compressor might be gone so for 40-50 beans was worth a shot. Worked a treat and have nice cool air ever since. Give them a try. A lot better than that can of spray stuff anyhow.

There's nothing wrong with the gas can. I use the one with the pressure gauge, it does exactly the same job as the guys do in these fastfit places for 40 euro. Whats an airbomb?

Anan1

jca wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with the gas can. I use the one with the pressure gauge, it does exactly the same job as the guys do in these fastfit places for 40 euro. Whats an airbomb?

Here's a quote from the website:

FAST FIT using Bosch technology will:

Replace the old compressor oil and reenergise the gas that is in your car’s air conditioning system.
Do a full system pressure test checking for possible leaks and that the hoses, seals and pipes are all in full working order.
Carry out an in-car temperature check prior to the service and another one after the service to make sure your system has improved.
After the system has been serviced they will carry out a full system deodorisation treatment to remove unpleasant smells by helping to eliminate mould, fungus, bacteria and other micro-organisms which may have built up in your car’s air conditioning ducting system

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

jca

Anan1 wrote: »

Here's a quote from the website:

FAST FIT using Bosch technology will:

Replace the old compressor oil and reenergise the gas that is in your car’s air conditioning system.
Do a full system pressure test checking for possible leaks and that the hoses, seals and pipes are all in full working order.
Carry out an in-car temperature check prior to the service and another one after the service to make sure your system has improved.
After the system has been serviced they will carry out a full system deodorisation treatment to remove unpleasant smells by helping to eliminate mould, fungus, bacteria and other micro-organisms which may have built up in your car’s air conditioning ducting system

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

The compressor oil is carried in the refrigerant the same as the can. Its illegal to leak test an air con system using the refrigerant. A system known to have leaks needs to be vacuumed out and then filled with uv tracer and nitrogen. A uv sensitive light is then passed over the likely leak spots and the leak source fixed. The deodorising is done by standing a can on the floor with the system running in recirculation mode €20 in halfords. This job can't be done for €40. They're just doing what the can does.

Anan1

jca wrote: »

This job can't be done for €40.

It clearly can, and they are. Presumably having once paid for the machine it makes sense to get as much business out of it as possible.

galwayjohn89

jca wrote: »

Well. How did it work out?

It's now ice cold. Really impressed with the guys in the Dun Laoghaire branch. Guy ahead of me had a leak and they tested it and advised him and then refused to take any payment. Mine was completely empty and was blowing warm air. Now ice cold and cheaper than halfords sell the can for. Really is a no brainer.

jca

Vuzuggu wrote: »

It's now ice cold. Really impressed with the guys in the Dun Laoghaire branch. Guy ahead of me had a leak and they tested it and advised him and then refused to take any payment. Mine was completely empty and was blowing warm air. Now ice cold and cheaper than halfords sell the can for. Really is a no brainer.

Good result. If it holds pressure which I'm sure it will a check with the can every year will keep it tip top. If you leave it on all year round you should get very little loss.

youngblood

Similar car to the OP- would you go through dealer for this or any guy who qualified to regas the air con?

Donie75

I'm still having problems with my AC. When the weather got warmer, the AC seemed to be cooling but it's not cooling at all now.
I've read a bit online about replacing the Refigerant Control Valve. I've rang one or two places and they said that they only replace compressors.
Has anyone come across a decent Air Con Specialist who is willing to repair a compressor and properly diagnose the issue?