How much for an air con leak test (and re-gas)?

[zebedee]

Garage is going to get back to me with a price, but no idea what to expect as 'reasonable' Seems to be out of gas as the compressor doesn't even cut in (nothing happens when you press the button) and the a/c fuse is fine.

So how much should I aim to pay (2005 mondeo) to have it tested and if empty and needs refilled, how much should that be?

Presumably they can test the pressure before leak testing it too, so if it is already at a decent pressure, the problem must be elsewhere?

[GKP]

They'll normally evacuate the sysytem of any dregs then see if it can hold a vacuum for a specified time. If all ok, the the machine will allow a regas. If there's a leak then pressurised dry air can be used to investigate any obvious issues and you'll be given the bad news along with a shopping list of parts required. Expect to pay anything from around £45 to £100 depending on garage etc.

[speedchick]

Our Vectra had an air-con full service and re-gas the other week and it was £45.

[steve singh]

Kwik-fit did this on my 996 for £25...but it was the winter...think it was a half price offer at the time so probably looking at around £50 from most places?

I seem to recall (hazy memories) if the air con was no colder after kwik-fit did their stuff there would be no charge...

[anonymous-user]

GKP said:

They'll normally evacuate the sysytem of any dregs then see if it can hold a vacuum for a specified time. If all ok, the the machine will allow a regas. If there's a leak then pressurised dry air can be used to investigate any obvious issues and you'll be given the bad news along with a shopping list of parts required. Expect to pay anything from around £45 to £100 depending on garage etc.

+1 Avoid st fit, they claimed to refill mine that had a gaping hole in it at the time. Usually the dryer fails as it rots from the bottom(that was on Mk1 & 2's, not looked at the Mk3 to see if that has the same design).

[wolves_wanderer]

I used these chaps and paid £50 about 18 months ago. No complaints.

http://www.coolcaraircon.co.uk/

[schmalex]

We have a mobile guy that comes to the office & a full check, service & re-gas is £75

[Risotto]

As above, just go to Kwik Fit - all they have to do is connect their testing/re-gassing machine via two pipes. They have seasonal pricing but I'm not sure what prices are in operation at the moment. Think they charged £45 in the height of summer (such as it was) to fill my 911 last year.

As for the compressor not running, many of them won't if the pressure in the system drops below a certain point so it may not be an issue once the system is correctly filled.

[zebedee]

Risotto said:

As above, just go to Kwik Fit - all they have to do is connect their testing/re-gassing machine via two pipes. They have seasonal pricing but I'm not sure what prices are in operation at the moment. Think they charged £45 in the height of summer (such as it was) to fill my 911 last year.

As for the compressor not running, many of them won't if the pressure in the system drops below a certain point so it may not be an issue once the system is correctly filled.

Yeah, someone's helpful post to an earlier thread is what made me think it was gas rather than anything else (the fuse was fine, which was the only thing I could check!)

I just wonder if it is already pressurised properly, can't the garage tell without hooking all this kit up to it and/or draining it all down to test first?

[LuS1fer]

Re-gassing is perfectly normal and that is why so many places do it. I paid £65 for a full mobile re-gas on my Mustang (plus £5 for a dye which shows up if it leaks). Because it was holed and he didn't spot it (thought because of the restricted view and volume of the leak that it was coolant), he gave me a free refill after he had the hole repaired.

[JM]

zebedee said:

I just wonder if it is already pressurised properly, can't the garage tell without hooking all this kit up to it and/or draining it all down to test first?

The pressure switch will break at a pre-set pressure, e.g 10 psi, it will then make if the pressure increase to say 25 psi. They should be able to put gauges on the system that will show the standing pressure (should be over 25) the actual pressure will depend on the temperature of the gas. A rough idea can be had from the standing pressure.

The actual amount of gas is weighed into the system, e.g 340g, but a system with e.g 250 g could still show the correct standing pressure, it's not till the system is running that you can then say if it is under-charged or not. The only way to know how much under-charged the system is, is to remove and weigh the gas.

[JM]

LuS1fer said:

Re-gassing is perfectly normal and that is why so many places do it.

Re-gassing shouldn't be normal, unless there is a hole or leak due to corrosion etc on older vehicles.


How many times have you had to have your fridge in the kitchen re-gassed? Same principals (should) apply.

[steve singh]

Not sure what the OP issue will eventually turn out to be, but I've found in life the key thing to keep something working is to use it regularly (goes for cars, TVs and other appliances!).

My air-con is on as soon as I'm in the car - irrespective of the weather.

[LuS1fer]

JM said:

LuS1fer said:

Re-gassing is perfectly normal and that is why so many places do it.

Re-gassing shouldn't be normal, unless there is a hole or leak due to corrosion etc on older vehicles.


How many times have you had to have your fridge in the kitchen re-gassed? Same principals (should) apply.

Presumably they leak like tyres leak through the valves and any other minute perforation. On your account, no car that was ever re-gassed should work - but they do. On your account, no manufacturer should ever fit refill valves but they do. I also doubt that entire livings get made by mobile units and fixed businesses based solely on holes and leaks.

Fridges do get worse with age and these days you're lucky if they last 3 years and they're not moving constantly.

[anonymous-user]

JM said:

Re-gassing shouldn't be normal, unless there is a hole or leak due to corrosion etc on older vehicles.


How many times have you had to have your fridge in the kitchen re-gassed? Same principals (should) apply.

My fridge has no rubber hoses(that I can see) and is not subject to constant heat variations & vibrations like a car is

[JM]

LuS1fer said:

JM said:

LuS1fer said:

Re-gassing is perfectly normal and that is why so many places do it.

Re-gassing shouldn't be normal, unless there is a hole or leak due to corrosion etc on older vehicles.


How many times have you had to have your fridge in the kitchen re-gassed? Same principals (should) apply.

Presumably they leak like tyres leak through the valves and any other minute perforation. On your account, no car that was ever re-gassed should work - but they do. On your account, no manufacturer should ever fit refill valves but they do. I also doubt that entire livings get made by mobile units and fixed businesses based solely on holes and leaks.

Fridges do get worse with age and these days you're lucky if they last 3 years and they're not moving constantly.

Yes there will be some leaks, but as a previous poster noted, the correct use of a car air conditioning system should ensure small leaks are very rare. I have had several cars with a/c over the years and never had any that required any sort of routine topping up. Only problem that I've had was on an old Jeep I bouight for a few ££'s, there was no gas in it, and I pressure tested it and found lots of small leaks/holes in various parts of the pipes, due to corrosion and or stone chip damage to the condensor.

Most cars that are re-gassed (with no repairs done) will need re-gassed again, especially if used in the same way as previouslly i.e not correctly.

The compressor needs to run to circulate the gas in the system, oil for lubricating the compressor and the 'o' rings and seal circulates in the gas. If the system is not used e.g for 6 months over late autumn, winter, early spring. Then the seals dry out and the gas leaks out. Re-fill and repeat cycle.

Using the a/c for a short while frequently (fortnightly e.g) will eliminate the risk of dried out seals etc.

[JM]

Dave_ST220 said:

My fridge has no rubber hoses(that I can see) and is not subject to constant heat variations & vibrations like a car is

The fridge runs 24/7 the car runs a few hour per week.
There are lots of various rubber hoses all over your car, what's your point?

[The fatboy]

http://www.interdynamics-europe.co.uk/retail/produ...

used on my 2001 civic 2 years ago.

the story was, I haven't use the air-con since I first bought it until june, then on a hot day while I went out with a friend on motorway I realised it is not giving out any cool wind, and after that been to halfords (free check at store), the staff used exactly the same gauge as that, showed the pressure is extremely low, which I did get a bottle of the refrigerant and filled it full back to the normal readings, afterward it did comes cooler at least for the whole summer.

[zebedee]

O/P returns with diagnosis. Car is 6 years old, there was a bung put in at factory so air con has never been looked at for 6 years. Just needed regassing and is fine. They quoted £69 at Ford garage (where it was) but I asked if they would do for £60 and they did. Thanks people, meant I could pretend I knew what I was talking about!