Aircon Regas as a preventative measure?

[Riknos]

I’ve got 2 cars with perfectly working aircon but they haven’t been regassed in the 5 + years I’ve had them. I understand a sealed system shouldn’t leak but would it be worth it just to get Fresh oil on the seals to make them last longer? One car is 18 years old the other 14, for £35 a pop is it worth it as preventative maintainence?

[Willy Nilly]

By all means change the pollen filter but the regas is a complete waste of money. Turn your AC on and leave it on all of the time, winter and summer.

[TooMany2cvs]

No. The oil doesn't get "used" in use, it just lubricates (or doesn't). If there's no loss of pressure, there's no problem.

When did you last see people offering to regas fridges or freezers as a "preventative"? The only difference is they're in 24x7 use, while car aircon is only in occasional use at most.

[valiant]

Willy Nilly said:

By all means change the pollen filter but the regas is a complete waste of money. Turn your AC on and leave it on all of the time, winter and summer.

This.

Use it or lose it. Most problems occur due to people not using it for months at a time or sparingly in summer due to increased consumption. When buying a car stick it on and leave it on for ever more. A few quid a year in extra fuel will be significantly less than an air con repair bill.

[996TT02]

No yet again. The valves have been seated for yonks, disturb them to re-gas and they may not seal perfectly. Not necessarily... perhaps unlikely... (although leaking valves on a 4 year old Qashqai indicates otherwise) but there is no good reason to re-gas.

[MJ85]

Refrigerant prices have increased recently. Is £35 a decent quote? Good price, if it is.