Aircon gas refill

xabi_a

The aircon stopped working in my BMW 4-series a few years back. At one service they told me it needed a gas refill, and would cost about €150. Since we don't really get summers, I didn't bother fixing it.

Now I enquired about getting it fixed, and I was told the gas has gone up in price, it would cost €450, plus labour, including checking for gas leaks, and it might come to around €900.

Is this for real? I know it's a BMW dealer I was talking to, but still?

Do you think a small local garage might be able to fix this for a half-reasonable cost? Do they have generic, or yellow-pack, gas refills?

ptyloch

I got the air con refilled in a 2011 XC90 for 200 at a local garage, the system was empty and it took 750 grams of gas to fill it up.

Stanford

The aircon not only cools the car interior when its hot outside but also keeps foggy windows clear during the winter so its not just a summer device. I think Halfords offer a free aircon check and ,if its a few years since it was last done, you may as well have the system purged as well.

Its not advisable to try this yourself so better to seek out many of the local aircon places that will do it for you, no need to go to a main dealer for this unless you are trying to maintain a 'BMW service book' for resale purposes.

artanevilla

If it's 1234YF gas it can be expensive. Not that expensive but quite expensive. When I asked my mechanic about refill for my Alfa Giulia he wouldn't quote me because he doesn't have the specialist equipment for the newer gas (apparently the older gas is easier to refill and cheaper in general) and they guy he normally gets in to do it wouldn't give him a straight answer on the price of the gas.

MarkR

I got a quote for two cars today, actually. One Passat, uses R134a, 120. Honda civic, r1234yf, 200.

the_amazing_raisin

I got mine fixed by an independent garage and it was much simpler than going with the main dealership

If you're around Dublin then I'd recommend Auto Aircon in Parkwest. They did a walk in and had it fixed up and gassed in around 90 mins.

They even let me watch and talked me through what they were doing. I much prefer that because I'm a nerd who wants to know everything, but it's also better to see and understand what the mechanics are doing rather than the car being hidden away

Mine had a leak which needed fixing so cost around €200, but I think a basic regas and service is around €80

greasepalm

I do wonder do they change those 2 valves when checking out the system.

The odd time i look at Rainmans Rays Repair on YouTube who started up on his own and records all his works and explains how and what to do.

Having the correct tools to see pressure loss is invaluable.

So many fluids for so many jobs.

Birka

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122442189#Comment_122442189

Another vote for Auto Aircon. No messing, very straightforward to deal with and €100 in my case for a leak check and refill.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122442289#Comment_122442289

So the way they checked mine was using a single machine about the size of a wheelie bin

First they checked the refrigerant pressure (there wasn't any)

Then they did a vacuum test to see would the system hold pressure. It didn't even get to the test pressure the leak was so bad

The guys suspected that the leak was around the pressure sensor. I don't know how they guessed it but they seemed to know what they were doing

To check it they pumped some refrigerant into the system and used a handheld sensor to find the leak. Sure enough it was where they thought it was

Sensor off, new o ring, reassemble everything and then run through the checks again and finally regas the system

It's all very straightforward when you can see the process of how they diagnose it

Obviously the machinea they were using are pretty top notch and beyond the budget of anyone doing a DIY repair, but there's cheaper options out there to be sure. Main difference being that you need to do everything manually as far as I can tell

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122442418#Comment_122442418

I did wonder as one of those rechargeable lamps i bought has a blue light that might be for aircon leaks?

Yes machines are big and expensive.

shane b

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058361976/aircon-gas-refill

Thats mad money but it depends on whats wrong with your air-con. If its just gas thats a simple fix. A dye can be put in while doing a re-gas which should show up under a UV light if there a leak.

I got my car re-gassed last year but it only lasted about a month. Upon investigation the condenser was leaking and cost 400 euro to replace. The front bumper had to come off to get at it so was time consuming. I was told if the evaporator is damaged or leaking it would be a lot more to fix. The evaporator seemingly is located behind the dash somewhere and time consuming to get at.

Henry Ford III

Use it or lose it.

A/c systems should be used weekly, as without circulation of the system lubricant rubber hoses and seals will dry up and the lubricant/refrigerant will leak away.

rob316

Mine was blowing hot air, I had it regassed the year before but it was gone again. Went to a guy in Carrigaline in Cork, said it would be 150. He emptied out the refrigerant and said it was full so its your air compressor is gone, charged me €50 to empty it. He said he can fit a new compressor and charge it up for €750, I said na forget it. Got a Denso (OE quality) from Autodoc for €190, fitted for €150 and regassed for €100.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122442765#Comment_122442765

The one I saw looked like below, but there seems to be different detectors for different types of refrigerants

hellyeah

Another vote for auto Aircon Parkwest. Used them twice in the last 10 years, very satisfied with the work carried out 10/10.

GPoint

+1 for auto air con

Used them for few of my cars incl ozone treatment

On the topic, OP your system is likely in a mess as it was empty for few years and not used . If there was a leak chances are there is rust inside.
they are vacuum sealed and lubricated for a reason.

Try auto air con and get their opinion