Gassing ...It pays to ask nicely.
Discussion
Two Rovers and one MG in our family fleet have non-working AirCon. My favourite 620ti, my used MG ZS120 bought last winter and my younger son's Rover 25 all have AirCon systems which need servicing. Whilst on the subject, the AirCon in my ZS 120 bought new in 2003 still blows as cold as the day we picked it up new in 2003. Never had a regass.
I had to have the system drained on my 620ti prior to renewing the Water Pump. Shame that because the AirCon was working superbly. The MG120 and Rover 25 were bought in the last two years and did not work when we got them.
Now someone 'in the trade' once told me that folks rarely bother to have their AirCon systems checked and serviced in the winter. With that expensive AirCon equipment laying about idle sometimes nationwide quck-fit type outfits have half price offers for AirCon servicing come the winter. It generates a bit of revenue and a saving of £25 is always worth having for the punter.
Needing three cars doing, I drove around locally looking if any half price offers were available. Nothing doing. I took a chance and spoke to the manager of a local outlet asking how much would he charge to regass the AirCon in the three cars. He would charge the single summer rate to do all three cars this winter. Bargain. Got my MG and 620ti done today and my son's R25 will be done tomorrow.
Yes, as I have found on numerous occasions in the past, it does help to ask nicely....
Despite the cold weather, I frequently use the AirCon in the cars even on very cold winter days as it greatly helps demist the front screens.
I had to have the system drained on my 620ti prior to renewing the Water Pump. Shame that because the AirCon was working superbly. The MG120 and Rover 25 were bought in the last two years and did not work when we got them.
Now someone 'in the trade' once told me that folks rarely bother to have their AirCon systems checked and serviced in the winter. With that expensive AirCon equipment laying about idle sometimes nationwide quck-fit type outfits have half price offers for AirCon servicing come the winter. It generates a bit of revenue and a saving of £25 is always worth having for the punter.
Needing three cars doing, I drove around locally looking if any half price offers were available. Nothing doing. I took a chance and spoke to the manager of a local outlet asking how much would he charge to regass the AirCon in the three cars. He would charge the single summer rate to do all three cars this winter. Bargain. Got my MG and 620ti done today and my son's R25 will be done tomorrow.
Yes, as I have found on numerous occasions in the past, it does help to ask nicely....
Despite the cold weather, I frequently use the AirCon in the cars even on very cold winter days as it greatly helps demist the front screens.
This thread leads directly to the amusing story of when me and my mum got our new car.
I was explaining the buttons to her but I was too distracted by the electric sunroof to notice I pointed at the ASC button rather than the AC button when telling her which was the air con.
Needless to say, she went sideways around a roundabout. (She's 55, haha)
I was explaining the buttons to her but I was too distracted by the electric sunroof to notice I pointed at the ASC button rather than the AC button when telling her which was the air con.
Needless to say, she went sideways around a roundabout. (She's 55, haha)
g3org3y said:
KungFuPanda said:
My aircon is on all the time. Helps in demisting the car in damp weather.
Agree with the useful demisting properties.I think the advice is to use a/c regardless once a week to keep the seals from drying up.
Frik said:
g3org3y said:
I think the advice is to use a/c regardless once a week to keep the seals from drying up.
I've heard mixed reports on whether this is true or not.If your system is not working, it has a leak. How does refilling it prevent it leaking?
MGJohn said:
Frik said:
g3org3y said:
I think the advice is to use a/c regardless once a week to keep the seals from drying up.
I've heard mixed reports on whether this is true or not.If your system is not working, it has a leak. How does refilling it prevent it leaking?
If your car has been out of oil or refigerant for a long period of time, or you just regass without adding oil, the seals are unlikely to come back to life.
If you are lucky and get the oil back in the action of the oil on the seals is to make then swell slightly from the dry cracked porus things they used to be.
Leaving the car ungassed and unoiled for six months is a complete no no.
Frik said:
I've heard mixed reports on whether this is true or not.
If your system is not working, it has a leak. How does refilling it prevent it leaking?
By using it you circulate the gas and oil in the system. If left unused for a long time the seals go dry and are no longer gas tight allowing gas to escape the system.If your system is not working, it has a leak. How does refilling it prevent it leaking?
TameRacingDriver said:
It never really gets turned off in my Zed. I'm glad it has it, because if it didn't the car would be practically unusable in winter (its a Roadster so it just steams up constantly).
The MX5 I had this time last year didn't have it, and it was an utter nightmare.
I've been getting that problem in the TF. Fortunately because the K-Series has a tiny water jacket the heater comes on in about 30 seconds so it's not too bad to clear.The MX5 I had this time last year didn't have it, and it was an utter nightmare.
julian64 said:
close but not quite true as I understand it. An oil is added to the refrigerant unless you take it to the sort of place that just regasses.
If your car has been out of oil or refigerant for a long period of time, or you just regass without adding oil, the seals are unlikely to come back to life.
If you are lucky and get the oil back in the action of the oil on the seals is to make then swell slightly from the dry cracked porus things they used to be.
Leaving the car ungassed and unoiled for six months is a complete no no.
Ahah ! Thanks, this is how we can learn about stuff on the web.If your car has been out of oil or refigerant for a long period of time, or you just regass without adding oil, the seals are unlikely to come back to life.
If you are lucky and get the oil back in the action of the oil on the seals is to make then swell slightly from the dry cracked porus things they used to be.
Leaving the car ungassed and unoiled for six months is a complete no no.
I got my son's Rover 25 done this morning:~
It still had about 200 gms/ml? of oil in the system same as the other two cars had. Should be nearer 600 according to the guy checking.
This is what Dads are for ...
:~Being my younger son's car, he is the type of car user who never does checks ~ just drives it ~ although signs that my reasoning with him is changing that mindset ~ took the opportunity to drive it and see what if anything needed doing. Car is showing 88,000 miles.
I had forgotten how lively and willing these little 1.4 K-Series engines are when in good, well maintained shape. Used it's 'punching above weight' performance away from the lights and onto the local by-pass whilst at the same time 'matching strides' with a newish 3-Series 318d. It's willingness surprised me and I guess the 3-series Diesel Driver too as he soon dropped back. It quickly reached nearly 40mph indicated in first before I changed into second.
I also tried the brakes and they were superb. Should be, I fitted new discs and pads to the front a while back :~
Great little car and not only that, putting my hand near the Air Vent with the AirCon full on quickly froze my pinkies...
Cooler than all the other AirCon cars in the family! Bonus!LukeSi said:
So basically you were ragging your son's car? 
Guilty M'Lud....... do not forget the "That's what Dads are for" element.More seriously, it does the little cars good to exercise them occasionally. Provided they are in well maintained shape, the K-Series appear to thrive on it.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff