Air conditioning/regassing nationwide

Stanford

I drive a 2007 Toyota Avensis in good condition but I have noticed recently that the air circulating in the car while the Air Con is on is not as cold as it used to be, is it possible that that the Air Con needs to be checked by my local mechanic to restore it to cooling the air more effectively?

biko

Yes, it's possible it needs re-gassing. This is normal.

Although this can be done DIY most people will probably be using a specialist.

pippip

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057469494

colm_mcm

Check your pollen filter too, it's behind the glovebox.

CiniO

I don't think a need for re-gassing is normal.

If gas is low or out, it would indicate to me that there must have been a leak, and I wouldn't regas before localizing and fixing the leak.

Red Alert

Shouldn't need to be re-gassed unless there's a leak. Not sure if automotive air con uses a thermostatic expansion valve - might need adjustment if so.

Clareman

Stanford wrote: »

I drive a 2007 Toyota Avensis in good condition but I have noticed recently that the air circulating in the car while the Air Con is on is not as cold as it used to be, is it possible that that the Air Con needs to be checked by my local mechanic to restore it to cooling the air more effectively?

I have a 07 Avensis as well and I had exactly the same problems you described last year, during a routine service I ask the mechanic to change the pollen filter and regas it, made it perfect again.

The Sidewards Man

CiniO wrote: »

I don't think a need for re-gassing is normal.

If gas is low or out, it would indicate to me that there must have been a leak, and I wouldn't regas before localizing and fixing the leak.

An air con specialist should fully check the system first by extracting what is in it, creating a vacuum and pressurising it as far as I know. Then fill system.
I got an air con done by a main dealer and all he did was horse gas into system, never did tests.
A system will not work as it is if the air con isn't used regularly, contrary to what some think air con is not only for summer hot days.

Leonard Hofstadter

I'd be doing the pollen filter before looking at anything else if I were you OP.

jca

CiniO wrote: »

I don't think a need for re-gassing is normal.

If gas is low or out, it would indicate to me that there must have been a leak, and I wouldn't regas before localizing and fixing the leak.

The car is 9 years old and a certain amount of gas is lost from the system over the years, especially on cars where the aircon is only used occasionaly. The main area of loss is the shaft seal on the compressor. I'd definitely try re-gassing if the pressure was low but not empty(nothing showing on the gauge). If the pressure is zero bring the car to an aircon specialist.

Stanford

Many thanks all, got it checked and re-gassed at this garage in Limerick, €80 and takes about 30 mins, great service and cold air restored

http://www.rapidautocare.ie/aircon.htm

biko

Sound, thanks for updating us.
Before long we will have many similar threads once people start using their aircons.

Sh1tbag OToole

Stanford wrote: »

Many thanks all, got it checked and re-gassed at this garage in Limerick, €80 and takes about 30 mins, great service and cold air restored

http://www.rapidautocare.ie/aircon.htm

Is there any crowd in Cork that will do this?

Foxhole Norman

Sh1tbag OToole wrote: »

Is there any crowd in Cork that will do this?

I got mine done in FastFit Togher in May last year, still perfect and freezing! €60 too

kleefarr

My Aircon exploded due to the dreaded CRV AC issue.
Unfortunately was just out of the extended warranty period as well.
:mad:

CiniO

kleefarr wrote: »

My Aircon exploded due to the dreaded CRV AC issue.
Unfortunately was just out of the extended warranty period as well.
:mad:

How did it explode?

kleefarr

The air compressor blew up. Apparently a common fault on 02-08 CRVs.

biko

The CRV AC issue is actually rather implosion, not explosion. The internals shatter inside the system and blocks the compressor.
There is a recall for it.

kleefarr

biko wrote: »

The CRV AC issue is actually rather implosion, not explosion. The internals shatter inside the system and blocks the compressor.
There is a recall for it.

Yeah and with the extension I was just out. 07 160k

CiniO

biko wrote: »

The CRV AC issue is actually rather implosion, not explosion. The internals shatter inside the system and blocks the compressor.
There is a recall for it.

I had a problem with A/C compressor on Civic as well.
But it was problem with a clutch which failed to engage completely at some stage, so compressor was not working at all.
It's a known issue, and took me an hour to fix.
It was enough to take clutch apart and fit thinner shim to compensate for clutch wear.
Works perfect since.

kirving

Can anyone recommend a place in Dublin for a full air con clean and recharge?

I got a top up a few months ago when Halfords had a deal on, which worked for a while but now the air con isn't as effective as it once was. I understand that there may be an abnormal leak, but also that the refrigerant will 1) degrade over time and 2) leak out through seals etc.

South/West Dublin would be preferable, but willing to travel further.

Atlantic Dawn

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a place in Dublin for a full air con clean and recharge?

I got a top up a few months ago when Halfords had a deal on, which worked for a while but now the air con isn't as effective as it once was. I understand that there may be an abnormal leak, but also that the refrigerant will 1) degrade over time and 2) leak out through seals etc.

South/West Dublin would be preferable, but willing to travel further.

€45 from this guy in Parkwest, www.autoaircon.ie

Loads of recommendations in this thread...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057469494

ShanE90

Refrigerant (R-134a) doesn't degrade over time, technically the system charge should last for the lifetime of the vehicle if the system is used daily to keep the compressor shaft seal lubricated with oil.

If your getting a job done on the ac it's best practice to recover the remaining charge, pressure test the system with oxygen free nitrogen, check for leaks (most probable place is the condenser -from stones) with bubble up spray, then the system needs to be vacuumed, a good vacuum of below 200microns will eliminate any moisture in the system. R134a can then be weighed back into the system the average charge is around 600g.

A temp of 5degC should be achievable from the supply air off the center vents, this would indicate a system in good working order.

It's best then to use the ac all year round to prevent any refrigerant leakage around the compressor shaft seal.

kirving

Brilliant, thanks for that!

corcaigh1

So its that time of the year again folks, sunny hot days!

Anybody have a recommendation for air con in cork city that can regas the air conditioning in my car?

mikeecho

corcaigh1 wrote: »

So its that time of the year again folks, sunny hot days!

Anybody have a recommendation for air con in cork city that can regas the air conditioning in my car?

Looked into this last week for mrs echos car

Made a few phone calls, this is what I was told.


Quikfit €99
Fastfit €60
OZone €49 / €69

http://www.ozone-cork.com/services.html

I still haven't fully checked every place that does A/C.

If anyone knows of a good place with a good price, let me know

biko

Added to existing thread

Also keep an eye on this Bargain Alerts thread for deals on regas
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057469494

sean1141

Folks what's a rough price of of getting air conditioning checked over and re gassed?

I don't think mine is as cool as it should be/possibly not working at all.

Can anyone recommend anyone in the laois area that will do this work?
I'm guessing main dealer would charge a small fortune.

Buffman

There is a thread over in Bargain Alerts where people recommended a guy for 45.

sean1141

Bit far but thanks anyway

Gumbo

€50ish here in a few garages in Dublin 11.

Fastfit did mine before. I can't remember the cost, but think it was €50 (i know it was the same price as halfords.. and i think halfords is €50). I'd recommend them based on the fact that they did a good job, but my system had a leak. So the air con only worked for a day.

Thing is, they check for leaks before doing the job, so because they missed the leak, and did it anyway, they gave a full refund fairly easily. Based on that (knowing id have no hassle getting a refund if things went assways) i'd recommend them.

Del2005

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Fastfit did mine before. I can't remember the cost, but think it was €50 (i know it was the same price as halfords.. and i think halfords is €50). I'd recommend them based on the fact that they did a good job, but my system had a leak. So the air con only worked for a day.

Thing is, they check for leaks before doing the job, so because they missed the leak, and did it anyway, they gave a full refund fairly easily. Based on that (knowing id have no hassle getting a refund if things went assways) i'd recommend them.

Air conditioning gas isn't something that you want venting to atmosphere. A company that can't spot a leak when doing air conditioning isn't a good recommendation..

Del2005

Del2005 wrote: »

Air conditioning gas isn't something that you want venting to atmosphere. A company that can't spot a leak when doing air conditioning isn't a good recommendation..

Ah I see where you're coming from, but I'd rather they messed it up and knew I was getting a full refund, than John down the road, who's equally likely to mess it up, but tell you to feck off if you come back looking for a refund.

Vic_08

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah I see where you're coming from, but I'd rather they messed it up and knew I was getting a full refund, than John down the road, who's equally likely to mess it up, but tell you to feck off if you come back looking for a refund.

I'd rather have someone who knows what they are doing instead of some idiot wasting my time and possibly causing further damage.

I really don't know where this idea that A/C needs regular re-gassing has come from, if there is no refrigerant in it then you have a leak that needs sorting.

LOU76

Hi. I've found a thread on this but it's years old so didn't want to start it up again hence the new thread. My 10 year old car has aircon but it's lost all power and effectiveness over the years. I asked a few years ago at the dealership where I bought the car and they said it'd be at least €200 to sort it out which I can't condone or afford. I found an old groupon deal on an old thread on boards for an aircon service & re-gassing for any model car under 2.5 ltr for €29!! So I guess I'm asking if anyone has come across a reasonably priced aircon re-gas service or give me some guidance on what to do. The commute to work isn't pleasant these days!!

ciarsd

Suppose it depends on where you are based. I've used John Kenealy numerous times without issue --> http://www.carairconditioning.ie/ he will test the system first to ensure there are no problems before any re gassing. Depending on what service you want will dictate the price, but he's competitive and a good tradesman who takes pride in what he does.

Henry Ford III

Chances are the hoses etc. are perished at this stage and a simple regas will leak like a tea strainer at sea.

You'll most likely need to have the whole system checked over thoroughly and any leaks or faults rectified.

I'd budget a couple of hundred € and hope nothing major has failed (compressor).

p.s. If you have air con use it weekly. The system needs oil going through it to prevent the seals and hoses perishing, and the refridgerent is also the system lubricant.

cnoc

I was quoted €79 for aircon service and gas replaced - Honda 2005 2L petrol. Is that expensive?

pippip

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057469494

This guy is getting rave reviews. Good price, sound chap and gives the system a good going over. €45

Straight Edge Punk

Can anybody recommend someone in limerick to do this?

Del2005

Vic_08 wrote: »

I'd rather have someone who knows what they are doing instead of some idiot wasting my time and possibly causing further damage.

I really don't know where this idea that A/C needs regular re-gassing has come from, if there is no refrigerant in it then you have a leak that needs sorting.

It's most likely because people don't use it enough and the seals dry out and the gas escapes. Air conditioning should be used weekly to ensure that the seals stay lubricated, not once a year when the sun shines.

cnoc

Straight Edge Punk wrote: »

Can anybody recommend someone in limerick to do this?

The €79 I was quoted from Clondrinagh Motor Works. Tel 061 329369.

Straight Edge Punk

cnoc wrote: »

The €79 I was quoted from Clondrinagh Motor Works. Tel 061 329369.

Thank you!
Did they do a test first to make sure there were no leaks? Are they the Polish garage who used to specialise in BMW work?

cnoc

Straight Edge Punk wrote: »

Thank you!
Did they do a test first to make sure there were no leaks? Are they the Polish garage who used to specialise in BMW work?

No, I did not get the aircon done. I do not think I will proceed with the job, as I have never used the aircon in 7 years! Yes, all(?) their mechanics are Polish. I got a job done there before last Christmas and found them excellent.

Phil.x

Anywhere in Dublin 15?

Esel

Phil.x wrote: »

Anywhere in Dublin 15?

Probably worth the drive to http://www.autoaircon.ie/

Most (all?) Fasfits do it, afaik.

spacekiwi

Anyone know where a good place in cork or kerry to get cars aircon regassed??
Thanks??

biko

FastFit Togher
You're welcome??

Phil.x

How long does it take to do? Could I just wait for it to be done.

Atlantic Dawn

Phil.x wrote: »

How long does it take to do? Could I just wait for it to be done.

Yes about half an hour or so.