 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Air con check and re Gas... Mine was very low :) |
 
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3572   
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I don't know much about vehicle AC, and your refrigerant was obviously low, but a load of garages recommend re-gassing every couple of years. Commercial building AC units can go for years without a re-gas. Maybe it is due to the type of refrigerant, the small quantity or the fact the joints are under more stress in a vehicle than in a building and leakage is expected??
Let's hope your AC is good on return  |
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23rd Jun 2017 11:10am |
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| Lightningtweeds Member Since: 16 May 2017 Location: Fintry Posts: 461  
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Had mine done....brrrrr.
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23rd Jun 2017 12:54pm |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720 
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The two year issue is more about having them checked than actually regassing. It's just to check the level hasn't dropped to much and to check for leaks. The gas also contains oil to lubricate the compressor, so replacing that is much the same as doing an oil change on an engine.
I got mine done at Kwikfit last year, they driained it, leak tested it and refilled it. But then said it didn't seem to be cutting in so there was no charge. Still works perfectly now.  |
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23rd Jun 2017 2:26pm |
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| gabe3105 Member Since: 25 May 2015 Location: Grimsby Posts: 237
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I would suggest that as your level was that low, you take it back in 2-3 weeks and have them check for leaks
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23rd Jun 2017 3:17pm |
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| mini Anaconda Member Since: 23 Aug 2016 Location: Thames Valley Posts: 801
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Who needs aircon when you can open your bulkhead flaps...
Unless you have a Puma  BORG - Bucks & Oxon 4x4 Response Group
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23rd Jun 2017 3:29pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3802
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gabe... they pressure test it with UV dye for leaks and run the system through... so I don't know where all the gms have gone but maybe its never been done since new...
Now when I get out I look like this... bbbrrrrr its flipin freezing |
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24th Jun 2017 6:27pm |
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| Fifth Horseman Member Since: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Lanarkshire Posts: 330 
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Commercial building a/c systems tend to have metal piping throughout. In vehicle installations we have significant amounts of flexible hoses. IIRC that especially when new these hoses can be very slightly gas-permeable which goes some way to explaining where the gas can go whilst there are no detectable leaks. Also bolted to a hot engine is not the best place for a compressor which itself gets hot compressing the coolant gas. |
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24th Jun 2017 8:30pm |
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3572
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Cheers Fifth Horseman
It's the great thing about this Forum, there's nearly always someone who can explain. Glad your cab is a bit more comfortable Stacey007 |
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24th Jun 2017 8:53pm |
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| rossy Member Since: 29 Nov 2010 Location: Co. Roscommon Posts: 1296  
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I had mine done after 6 years at a garage that had just spent € 12 000 on a fancy new machine. For € 60 it made a hell of a difference so I suppose it should be done every 2 years or so. I always find however that it takes a good 10 minutes to get fully going but then I often have to switch it off on a long spin. I'm surprised it still works to be honest being a Land rover and all that.
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25th Jun 2017 6:44am |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720
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I think building AC pipes are also soldered at their joints, where as vehicle systems have rubber like O-rings. If the system isn't used enough the o-rings dry out and allow the gas to leak, which is why it's a good idea to run it regularly during winter too. nb. running the AC with the heater demists your windscreen rapidly.  |
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25th Jun 2017 11:21am |
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