Faulty Air Con...in or out

[gattor]

It appears I have developed a fault with the air con on bert, thinking given that it all takes up so much space, drains power plus restricts airflow of just having it all taken out rather than fork out yet another expensive trip to get it sorted...

Views?

[mikesr]

Does it not just need regassing?

[gattor]

Appears to be some kind of blockage, but after its been investigated etc you can bet its 4hrs labour etc etc

[Byker28i]

I get a local car Aircon specialist to look after mine. £80 for a fuill recharge plus check plus fix a couple of minor joint leaks.

The cabin gets a little warm in the summer, especially if you've still got the cats in.

[Ireland]

Blockages are usually "choking" of the system caused by moisture.

Basically there was probably air in the system and the moisture out of the air has remained inside the pipework and literally freezes in the expansion valve and blocks the gas from circulating.

The gas will have to be taken out and the system will need to be vacuumed for a long time to allow the moisture to boil-off and be sucked out of the system by the vacuum pump.

It actually doesn't take much time actually working on the car, but the vacuum pump will need to be left connected for hours (someone needs to connect the pump, go away and do something else and then come back to take the pump off).

Then it has to be re-gassed.

Getting it done will make the air-con as good as it was before it acted up (assuming it was working) ..... but not any better.

[gattor]

Guess I should have it checked out to see whats going on before I make a call to strip it out or not

Thanks for the advice

[Ireland]

gattor said:

Guess I should have it checked out to see whats going on before I make a call to strip it out or not

It shouldn't cost too much to get an answer one way or the other.

gattor said:

Thanks for the advice

No problem.

You're welcome.

[JensenA]

gattor said:

................ thinking given that it all takes up so much space, drains power plus restricts airflow.............

Views?

Yes it does drain a bit of power - but having the windows open instead , causes more drag, so your worse off.

[marcus1970]

Byker28i said:

I get a local car Aircon specialist to look after mine. £80 for a fuill recharge plus check plus fix a couple of minor joint leaks.

The cabin gets a little warm in the summer, especially if you've still got the cats in.

Definitely agree with Biker - get it done!

MB

[grahamn]

Mines never worked but I havn't bothered to get it done as I much prefer to travel with the windows down, so the aircon would be off anyway. Still each to their own.

[McNasty]

If you go to Les Mans or the ring etc during the summer then you will need it.
The power differance is minimal in my opinion, yes noticeable, but there is plenty there and if you are racing you can always turn it off. Doing 100 plus with the windows down can be hazardous to your face in the summer!

[gattor]

I has also thinking that it restricts airflow into the front pickup box, which is tiny anyway.