How important is climate control to you?

[dave_s13]

So, right on cue the family bus climate control has packed up after working fine from buying it 8 months ago, all through winter. Gets hot and kaput!

just had it diagnosed as a leaking condenser and leaking pipe leading from the compressor to wherever it goes. £500 to fix. It's 2k worth of car, on a very good day, so it's really not worth doing.

Trouble is the car is an MPV (2003 Ford Galaxy) so the internal volume/glass area is huge, it's also black. As you can imagine it gets properly jeffing hot inside and the kids are going to be very unhappy when we pack up for the long drive over to Wales on holiday this year. If the weather is like it is now that is going to be a very uncomfortable journey.

So, can I have your permission to trade it in for a newer car?

[dave_s13]

To respond to a few of these posts.

1. It was looked at by a very reputable independant mobile air con engineer - I use the term engineer as he's ex forces and was a HVAC engineer in the navy and a really top bloke.

2. To replace the condensor on one of these requires removal of nearly the entire front end of the car, cos Galaxy's are st like that.

3. I seem to spend every weekend crawling underneath this damn thing trying to fix niggly little things such as.....the starter motor, rear speakers weren't working, rear calipers keep sticking on the handbrake, vacuum pipe perished, cruise control buggered (couldn't fix that), parking sensors going mental......

4. It's not unlikely that fixing the current A/C leaks would highlight a whole new set of leaks!!

5. it's averaging 24mpg - TBH I'm not fussed about that.

6. Yep - black MPV with 3 kids (9months, 2, 5) a wife and me = misery (even without AC sometimes!)

Shame as really it's a pretty solid car in terms of engine and bodywork, it's just geting to the age wher the non metal bits are starting to get tired and perish.....Fook it....I'm going to do some maths later.

[dave_s13]

Superliminal said:

I've just spent over £800 to get the a/c fixed on a £5k Galaxy (2007 mk3). The evaporator (I think) failed and it's buried behind the dash. Some of the money went on a couple of hours labour trying to find the problem - focussing on the most likely/cheapest first, the rest went on removing the dash to replace the broken part. Given that I've got a very poor tolerance for heat, I'm considering it money well spent.

I also spent £400 ish getting the condenser done on our previous Galaxy (2001 Mk2). Something worth noting - if you've got a leak in the pipe running from (I think) the compressor, you'll no doubt be told that the front end has to come off to access the join in the pipes. I've since discovered that you can remove the o/s headlight and cut an access hole in the plastic behind it (repairing the hole with a bit of fibreglass afterwards - it's not visible).

To answer your specific question - on the family car I'd consider it essential. On my own car that doesn't do many miles, I'd consider it a nice to have. Aside from dealing with the heat, I find it's brilliant at de-misting during cold wet winters.

Yep, I've seen the fibreglass panel work around on the Galaxy forums.

The chap tells me the front end has to come off to get to the condenser, there is also evidence it has been removed in the past but I digress, this isn't a "how to I fix this" type of thread.

I think my plan would be to spend up to £8k on an S-Max, or a newer shape Galaxy, whatever is for sale locally and in the best condition will win that race. The old one would then get sold on to pay off some of the new car.

I'm hoping that £8k would bag us something that'll run without too many problems for a few years. You never know though!

[dave_s13]

Howard- said:

...
It winds me up a bit when I get into someone's car that has climate control and they don't know how to use it properly so they're always adjusting it, or they have the AC off "to save fuel".

Yep, this irritates me too. By not using it you are at far greater risk of causing the system to bugger itself, and it uses so little fuel you're an idiot not to just leave the snow flake set to "ON".

[dave_s13]

thatdude said:

Trade it in, because £500 on a vehicle worth £2000 is 25%, yet if you buy a car for say 5,000 and still need to splash out £500 for air-con / climate control fix thats only 10%, a relative drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things.

Also, if this £500 has arisen, what other £500 will arise? It's doomed to fail.

Flog it, buy something awesome and tell the kids to take the train, you'll meet them at the other end

Excellent man maths in this post btw :-)

[dave_s13]

ch427 said:

If the galaxy is the same as the alhambra the whole bumper is only held on with about 6 bolts and very easy to get off.
I replaced the pipes on the father in laws 2004 model and getting the bumper off was the easy part, the pipes on the other hand were a nightmare.
I do like the system and would probably repair it if i were keeping the car.

You could be right there after a bit more f
Googling... But... Even if u swapped out the condenser myself the pipe still needs fixing and I'm not confident with that, so it's going to be at least a few hundred in parts, labour and another weekend of my time.

I really want a new car too really!

[dave_s13]

Impasse said:

This is the way forward. Get your spanners out and fix it yourself you big girl!

Lol... I'm in no way averse to taking stuff apart and breaking it, I'm just not confident I can sort the pipe. The ac guy was on about splicing a new section in place to fix it, no way I have the skills or tools for that.

Something to research further though I suppose.

[dave_s13]

ch427 said:

If the galaxy is the same as the alhambra the whole bumper is only held on with about 6 bolts and very easy to get off.
I replaced the pipes on the father in laws 2004 model and getting the bumper off was the easy part, the pipes on the other hand were a nightmare.
I do like the system and would probably repair it if i were keeping the car.

Is this the tool needed to un-couple the pipes?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKgQJ-RinXc

I'll hve to have a look underneath it (again) at the weekend.

[dave_s13]

ch427 said:

Yes sealey tools do one for about £15.

Cheers.

I think we are erring on the side of an upgrade though.

Looking at S-Max/Galaxy's in the 7-8k bracket. More expensive than getting this one fixed obviously but hopefully one less thing to worry about, the kids keep you busy at the weekends, don't need to be scrabbling round under the car really.

[dave_s13]

Asterix said:

Vital for me - I live in Dubai and in-car temps can reach over 65C if the car is sat in the sun during the summer months.

Jesus! that's proper hot a vote toward my cause is good.

We are going for a new car, just done a spreadsheet and when you factor in fuel, tax, insurance etc it will only work out about £125 per month extra to run a much newer car.

As my old gran used to say...."fcuck it!"

[dave_s13]

Right then.

What do we think about buying a Cat D vehicle.

Excellent spec, nice colour, perfect for what we need.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[dave_s13]

nipsips said:

Leathers not standard on that. 1.8 is reliable though!

Listed as a Zetec, badge on the back is Titanium X + cat D write off.....a bit fishy but worth a look I reckon.

The DVD players and pano roof would be great to keep the kids happy.

Edited by dave_s13 on Wednesday 2nd July 21:51

[dave_s13]

va1o said:

I'd leave them well alone especially when you've got family in the car. Just too many question marks over the quality of the repair, if things like air bags etc have been correctly replaced and whether the chassis would still perform as intended in event of another collision. They are also harder to insure and will be worth significantly less than a clean example when you sell on.

Good point. Price is very appealing though. I'm aware cat D could be something cosmetic but then again....dilemma!

[dave_s13]

nipsips said:

If its a Titanium X it would have Sony stereo and the Converse colour screen in the dash. And flip keys. But then why has it got a panoramic roof and leather?

Something aint right there mate - Id leave it.

You're quite right, off the list.

[dave_s13]

hora said:

Does the car work fine? Barring squeeks and a need for suspension links?

A working car that owes you no money is priceless IMO. IF you hydrate properly you dont need a/c. Its a modern day/1st world pampering obsession.

I think you have to experience this particular car to appreciate it. The blowers are actually chucking out slightly warm air. I assume it's warmed slightly on its route through the engine bay. It's only comfortable with the windows down. It also only does 24mpg and the clutch was juddering the other day when stuck in a 30min traffic jam which doesn't bode well.

It mechanically pretty good though actually. Loads of life left in the tyres, brakes, very smooth and quite, with the windows up, and immensely practical.

Having a car owing you nothing isn't really priceless though, you can deffo put a price on it, about 7.5grand in my case :-)

Going on holiday we for a week on the 9th August and the thought of trekking across the country in what could be some hot temps, with the car loaded up with kids is not appealing. Especially when you get stuck in the obligatory stationary traffic getting into Wales.

I've probably just jinxed any prospect of a nice summer by doing this but there you go..

[dave_s13]

Negative Creep said:

I was one of those people who thought air con was pointless, until I had a car with it and now it's essential for the summer. Not bothered about specific climate control, but arriving at your destination chilled out and not having your clothes sticking to you makes a massive difference. Had it regassed on the Celica but only lasted a few weeks, so given it's value I just went straight out and bought another car. Wouldn't care about it in winter though.

Car I had before the LCR was a celica. The best air con I've ever experienced, it was nipple shatteringly cold!

[dave_s13]

hora said:

...
Back on topic- OP tried a second opinion?

Don't need to, I trust the first.

Lets be honest here. I want a new car, this breaking has provided opportunity to do that

Unfortunately it's the family wagon and not a fun car but still, I'mm quite looking forward to looking at a couple tomorrow. Looking to replace it with an S-Max or a new shape Galaxy.

This garage has both in at the same time, and local, and in budget!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[dave_s13]

InductionRoar said:

Voted "Not bothered would rather have the window down" but would go further and say would rather have the roof down too.

I don't drive the car with the roof up unless the heavens open while I am out - which has happened and to be honest when that happens my main concern has been about the water pouring off my eyelashes into my lap.

Bought one just like this on saturday (pick up next week)



I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they do a convertible version

Oh and the air con works on it too!!

[dave_s13]

So it cost about 7 grand to fix the air con in the end. Worth it though I think. One former keeper, 60k miles, full main dealer history with recent bills for lots of £.... But... The clincher... The 1st owner was an actual freaking Dr.... You can't put a price on that. :-)

[dave_s13]

For Fooooks Sake!!!!!!!

So, 2 weeks into the new car ownership and all was lovely and serene. Then a couple of days ago I noticed a funny vibration coming from somewhere in the middle of the dash that came and went with a press if the A/C on/off button.

Just had a mobile engineer out and fuk me sideways if the bastid funking cnunt of a drier isn't leaking from the bottom....

It's still blowing cold but it won't last. Fortunately(ish) a new condensor is only £200...getting it replaced later in the week.

have to laugh, you'd cry otherwise.