Aircon - regassing at home?

[TimM]

I ventured into Halfrauds today for a bulb and spotted some kits for checking the gas in your aircon system and topping it up if required.....

Sounds good so far..... BUT!

The kits connected to a low pressure valve ".....which is usually found between the condensor and the cabin, with a blue cap on it....."

Had a quick look under the bonnet and couldn't see anything suitable, and had a quick read of the Haynes book of confusion, and again nothing.

Has anyone been able to find a valve, or use a similar kit, or should I be going back to an aircon expert to have it regassed (again   ).

Any ideas?

[alarmgard]

You can buy adaptors and schrader valves to do this yourself, but if you are unsure, its best to get it done professionally, it shouldn't need to be regassed very often unless you have a leak and you can clean the coils yourself, you can buy the cleaner yourself from http://www.climatecenter.co.uk/cont/default.html Climate centre.

They also sell gas and the valves for DIY, but its not advisable.

[beast5680]

personally unless you,ve worked on aircon stuff i would get an expert to do it, i used to do aircon on plant machinery but dont have the kit anymore so i know what to do but would still get a company to check it and regas it for me

[TimM]

The kit in Halfrauds looked really easy to use, screw it on, turn the aircon on, take a reading, fill if required.

The only problem seems to be the lack of a valve to screw the kit too  :roll:

[loyalduke]

Tim
I still have cool air coming through on mine but I think it needs a regas. If you find anywhere thats reasonable give me a shout!! Or if you figure out how this kit works then you can show me how it works :?

John

[TimM]

Your aircon should be artic cold, so cool suggests it's not working.

Probably just needs regassing and there a bloke (firm) here in Mansfield that I can recommend, they sorted mine out last year when there was a leak in the system. This year it probably  [-o<  just wants regassing.

If I could find this valve though (if it exists) then it would be a 5 minute job to do at home (and cheaper).

Anyone any ideas?

[ChrisW]

See if there is a Carwood's local to you - they usually do recharge and pressure testing - think it's about £80 from memory.

[ChrisW]

I've just looked this up in the workshop manual - I think I would definitely pay someone experienced to do the job for me - especially considering all the warnings, warnings and more warnings given  :shock:

[TimM]

£80..........

That's why I like the sound of this halfrauds kit, it's about £20 for a gas tester (reuseable) and about £30 for a bottle of gas (use what you need).

With those prices in mind, it might even be worth getting a valve fitted to the system, but if there is another way (or there is a valve already) then it would be a waste of money.

[rollazuki]

Last summer a couple of places were doin a regas between 40 and 60 quid in Sheffield.

If you use the proper machine, and full regass then you get all the old gas evacuated, the correct weight of gas put in(you cant do this accurately with just a pressure check), and more importantly, the correct amount of lubricant.
As the aircon pump is a 500-600 quid item, and lives/dies by the quantity and quality of the lubrication oil, then Id go to an aircon specialist.
You wouldnt repair your own fridge/freezer would you?

[TimM]

you cant do this accurately with just a pressure check

Now were talking, I don't want to mess it all up  

I'd rather pay to have it work properly than have to pay a fortune to fix it.

[Spooky]

Air con (or more correctly, the gasses involved) is a legal minefield ... one of the nastier bits is the possibility of a £10,000 fine (under the Montreal Protocol) for allowing gas to leak to atmosphere (this includes through known leakages) ...

I'd take it to a professional, pay up and look big about it.

[spy]

I used one of the home kits once on a fiat stilo at work.  The instructions with the kits say to ensure you connect to the low pressure side of the system as the other side may explode the can in your hand.  There wasnt enough gas in the can to do the job anyway, wasted cash on the can then paid for a propper job.  

I believe aircon should be regassed / services every 2 years anyway?  Lack of use can lead to bacteria build up and lots of nasties pumped into the car next time you use it.  Legionaires disease anyone?  

My local motor factors sell aircon cleaner, just a can you leave squirting in the car whilst the blowers are on full and recirculate.  This does a damn good job of getting rid of aircon smells.  

We pay £50 ish for a regas from a company in St Helens called cool wheels.

[TimM]

Well, I've been there and done that with the Halfrauds kit, regassing was easy once I'd found the port (RAVE CD to the rescue   ).

BUT.....

Still not cold  

I'll have damaged another pipe or something whilst off-road / greenlaning so it's back to an expert when i can find the time.