halfords AC check n charge

[Polome]

The AC on my Polo GTI (2000 model) wouldn't switch on . Took advantage of halfords check and charge for £50. " your compressor is u/s sir , new compressor & recharge £ 539 , of course we give a years guarantee " . Me " I'll think about it" . Went home and put 12v direct onto compressor clutch..only run for a short time but seamed to be driving compressor ok. A close look around system showed liquid leak from cable end of inline system pressure switch ...could this be the problem. New switch bought from e bay and took car to my local trusted "VW auto centre" in Edinburgh. New switch fitted , system leak tested ( ok) recharged with gas and working great. Thank you Alan. Cost £59 plus switch £29 ...result. Moral of story ..take care out there.

[Dr G]

Polome said:

halfords

then

Polome said:

trusted "VW auto centre"

Crap workmanship/diagnostics is annoying I appreciate but cheap work tends to be cheap for a reason. A respected and trusted independent garage is a valuable thing. The staff will typically have been up and down the ladder in the main dealer network and left for the same reasons you don't want to go there.

[Polome]

Dr G said:

Crap workmanship/diagnostics is annoying I appreciate but cheap work tends to be cheap for a reason. A respected and trusted independent garage is a valuable thing. The staff will typically have been up and down the ladder in the main dealer network and left for the same reasons you don't want to go there.

Very well scripted...the staff at VW centre are indeed ex main dealer techs ( as you suggested) with many years experience of VW's. I've used them plenty times before but took the halfords route as it's only 3 mins drive away against a 40 minute slog accross town . Your also right why I don't use the main dealer...years ago had a 6 month skirmish with them that resulted in a new engine needed...why did I bring that up ...I'd just managed to erase it from memory...long live the independants.

[PositronicRay]

I like indies. They live and die by their work and reputation.
Main dealers make a very good living from fleet business and massaging customer satisfaction surveys.

I've used Halfords for A/C refill and they were very good too.

[BentleyTTRS]

Good to know, my Freelander A/C isn't working, and i'm deciding who I should take it to to avoid having my pants pulled down.

[Rick101]

If you could check it yourself, why did you bother going to Halfrauds and paying them £50

[Polome]

Rick101 said:

If you could check it yourself, why did you bother going to Halfrauds and paying them £50

Good point...maybe just getting lazy...as I do understand how the system works....the checks done by myself can be tackled without need for specialist AC charging equipment. These checks are basic but can't be as thorough as connecting the car to AC tester where the complete system is monitored I.e. System HP & LP gas pressures etc. The "full picture" given when hooked up to machine should allow an experienced tech accurate diagnosis. Me , I took the H---ds route as I suspected I had a minor leak somewhere and a £50 gas top up would get me through the short Scottish summer (to be repeated next year etc. ). The car is 15 years old but only 29k miles , very good condition , exceptionally well maintained but our climate puts AC pretty far down life's priority list. However great result for tiny outlay and swmbo very happy ( & cool ) bunny!

[Rick101]

Glad you got it sorted. I'd be seeing the twit at Halfrauds for a refund.