Air Con - No Charge or Recharge or Not a Clue !!

[thomas104]

Sorry, you'll need to email Ian for the password, unless it's still in your email inbox (it was sent on 9th May) - I'm not risking him chewing my privates for giving the password away

lol, i know what you mean, my emails only go back to 20th may but i will wait on the next one

[KevC]

Does anybody have experience with Halfrauds regassing the aircon? We need ours done as well (I have checked the fact sheet for the specs) and HF charge £39, which seems a bit cheaper than some other places. As much as I hate the place, it's also rather convenient.

Ta

Dom

Can't see why it should be a problem. It's the job given to the trainees in most dealers - the machine itself does the emptying and refilling automatically.

Agreed
very little differance from a £39 service to a £120 service

[dom_e]

Great. I'll drive the Bongo to work tomorrow and get it done at lunch. Hopefully it'll be a cool drive home. I will let you know how it goes.

Ta

Dom

[apole]

Hi,

check before you commit to a halfords refill. I saw them working on a car the other day and they were using a can of EZ recharge, that is not the same as a full service, they are using a aerosol to refill with a mix of refridgerant, oil and system conditioner. If you want to go that way you can buy that yourself.

[dom_e]

Well, I've just got back from Halfrauds having yet again experienced an underwhelming customer experience.

The unenthusiastic assitant chap there took a quick look, decided he couldn't be bothered to find the low (I think) valve and said he couldn't do it. What a waste of time and money (I normally ride my bike to work - that's pretty much free!) that was.

Looks like I'll have to pay a bit more and get it done somewhere where they know what they're doing.

[francophile1947]

The unenthusiastic assitant chap there took a quick look, decided he couldn't be bothered to find the low (I think) valve and said he couldn't do it. What a waste of time and money (I normally ride my bike to work - that's pretty much free!) that was.

I don't believe you - their trained technicians are wonderful - it says so in their adverts
Then they wonder why nobody, with any sense, uses them

[apole]

Hey, credit where credit is due, I personally witnessed them change a number plate on a saab, only took 3 of them. I guess it depends on who you get, the mood they are in and what they are doing but I have to agree it all seems very haphazard and that's on a good day.....

[KevC]

The unenthusiastic assitant chap there took a quick look, decided he couldn't be bothered to find the low (I think) valve and said he couldn't do it. What a waste of time and money (I normally ride my bike to work - that's pretty much free!) that was.

Yes not good a technician, who can’t even find the low pressure side, what a Muppet,
Would have been ok to drain and refill through the high side.

On that basis alone I will never take a car into Halfords and it’s these guys we get to fit our Childs seats.

Kev

[dom_e]

I have had reasonable service at HF before, but it's the significant minority of the time! As has been said, it depends a lot on the individual, their mood and training, which all too often isn't up to scratch!

Where is the low valve BTW The fact sheet doesn't seem to cover it.

I've booked a guy from LVV services (http://www.lvvservices.com/) to come and do it at my house on Fri. He sounded a bit more competent on the phone at least.

Ta

Dom

[thomas104]

too right Dom, its finding that person that you know and you can trust, normally recommended by someone who has had the same done !! the search contiues here in manchester lol

[apole]

The low pressure valve on my bongo is under the black plastic air intake under the bonnet. You have to remove 2 black screws on the front, then carefully lift and pull forward the whole assembly.

The high pressure side is visible in front of the radiator, that shouldn't be touched unless you know what you are doing. So DIY kits plug into the LP valve (which is slightly smaller) and pro equipment can fit the HP side.

[dom_e]

Ta. I'm a bit concerned that there seems to be a wet/darker area on the condenser. I hope it's not a leak From the maintenance records, it seems the aircon was last serviced in Aug '07. All will be revealed tomorrow I hope.

If there si a leak, any ideas on condenser replacement costs? A search here and on BongoBits has revealed nothing.