Air conditioning recharge?

Linusface · Post by **Linusface** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:58 am

Hi all,

I've been thinking of getting my air conditioning recharged, as I'm sure it's not as cold as it should be.
Can anyone recommend a service agent in the SE London / North Kent area?
What sort of temperatures should I be getting from the air vents? and also, is it normal for the compressor to cut in and out rather than being on all the time?

Thanks all.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:02 pm

Can't help you with an aircon mech. in your area but if you can lay your hands on a decent thermometer, you should be getting 5 degrees C or less through the vents. The cycling on and off by the compressor is usually an indication of the system working hard (ie on a very hot day) or the refrigerant level is low. So yes sounds like you could be ready for a regas.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:19 pm

There's been a lot of talk about the Kwikfit deal - good price and no charge if they cant re-gass it. I know there's been a lot of talk about Kwikfit too concerning their commercial practice in regards to brakes, tracking etc. But I woud try them for aircon out of curiosity and if they say ''Well, guv, it needs X Y and Z doing and that'll cost a zillion quid" then just walk away....without paying and with the Bongo of course! then phone a normal aircon company to have it done. Payback time

Mike

Glynanderson · Post by **Glynanderson** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:34 pm

I went to Kwik-fit and was pleasantly surprised , the lad was helpful, courteous and above all seemed to know his stuff.
Unfortunately due to a leak (which he helped locate) I couldn't go ahead with the regas.
If they try to sell you anything else, brakes, tyres shcoks eyc, just don't buy them. That is always an option.
BTW, does anyone know how much PAG oil to put in the dual evaporator system???
Cheers

Forgot to say, the whole thing was going to cost me £44.95, with PAG oil and 1150 grammes of coolant!!!!
My local garage told me the coolant alone would cost way more than that.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:13 pm

I just got 14.5KG of R134a for £55. That should see me right for a while.

paul9 · Post by **paul9** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:29 pm

this place has just been recomended to me via the estima forum,they do conversions aswell from R12.

SPS Auto Services
81, Rushden Way, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0QQ
Tel: 01252 671356

etihsbog · Post by **etihsbog** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:07 pm

Kwik fit refused to do mine as they said it had a different type of connection, this was over the phone mind. When I did get it regassed I was told it had a standard valve, so it was their loss.

paul9 · Post by **paul9** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:22 pm

etihsbog wrote:Kwik fit refused to do mine as they said it had a different type of connection, this was over the phone mind. When I did get it regassed I was told it had a standard valve, so it was their loss.

they probably thought it had R12 gas in because it is an import,the kwik fit wigan branch said they thought mine had R12 in without looking,also they didn;t know how much gas to put in until i told them i knew,still not had it done yet though

Linusface · Post by **Linusface** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:18 pm

I phoned all my local Kwikfits, but only Lewisham were brave enough to take the Freda on

It had to be recharged manually, as there are no settings for Japanese stuff in the machine, but the hoses definitely fit - I've seen it with my own eyes

400g of gas was removed & 1150g replaced along with his best guess of oil. Minimum temp at the vents before was 18 celcius. On the way home the temp got down to 9.5 celcius - so I'm well pleased

(outside temp is 24 celcius).

BUT, can anyone confirm the official figures for the amount and viscosity of oil

vic swan · Post by **vic swan** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:38 pm

I went to Kwikfit wednesday only to be told that they had not yet sent anyone on a training course. But they did point me in the direction of Tyre & Exhaust World which is a sister company. Again no luck as the fitter was on holiday. I booked it in for 8.30am this morning which was when he was due back. He took one look at the Bongo and said I cant do that as I have no info for it. I gave him the info which I had gleaned from this forum i.e. R134a gas 1150g, standard valve and best guess on the oil. OK he said I'll have a go. Outcome was 450g gas drained, 4ml oil drained, leak test OK 1150g recharge and 14ml of oil. The temperature test at the vents was a low 5.4c and the cost. Wait for it:

£34.95

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:55 pm

When you all say the temp at the vent was 5.4 or 6, I take it you are using a thermometer against the air flow to check it then. Reason I ask is that my digital display will not read lower than 18.c, I have not tried a themometer yet but will now, does anyones elses digital display go lower than 18 or is this standard, the air comes out of the vent very cold so I know there is no problem with it. Just curious. Happy motoring.
ps. I have noticed kwik fit are offering a guarantee on re gassing that if they cannot give you a cooler car you get your money back.

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:11 pm

Dave the temp is measured in the vents with a basic probe type thermometer. I have purchased a basic recharge kit myself - not quite sure of the conversion to centigrade, but it says that the air at the vents should be between 45 and 60 farenheight. Certainly at 45 it is what I consider to be an 'efficient sysytem'.
Interestingly, I have yet to have a japanese import where the air con did not work, yet I have had loads of uk vehicles where it has completely failed. I believe this is due to the lack of use in this country and the seals drying out and causing a leak.
The min temp on most air con guages is 18'c.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:10 pm

Ah cheers, at least I know now it's working as it should, I have it on winter or summer as I dont feel the cold but love the blast of air it gives, people used to think I was mad in work, middle of winter, snow everywhere and me still in shirtsleeves. Happy motoring.