My aircon is losing its "coldness" and needs recharging. Is there anything to be gained/lost by waiting until next Spring - I probably won't need it much between now and then - or should I do it now?
Thanks
MB
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My aircon is losing its "coldness" and needs recharging. Is there anything to be gained/lost by waiting until next Spring
Yes, a lot.
Firstly, you have to run the aircon for a few minutes each week to stop the seals drying out and failing. (Winter and Summer).
Check the handbook for details.
If the seals knacker, you could lose all the gas, and have to get more.
Also, the aircon is a useful tool for demisting windows.
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To add to Ian's and HJ's post. How old is the car? If it's pre '93 you'll find its probably filled with non CFC friendly refrigerant - (R12 I think?) I was informed that R12 was no longer possible to buy [1] and if the system has a small leak it must be fully drained to prevent further polution of the atmosphere.
[1] or legal to sell. Unless the law has changed again, if you are the owner of any R12, you can still legally use it to top up your own system. I knew someone with ample supplies when I had my old Cavalier. To get past the law of buying/selling, he gave me the gas free, but charged extra for his labour.
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Yes, definitely get it sorted out now, if you want it to work in the future, for the reasons given in earlier replies.
I, too, am in the habit of regularly running the a/c for at least 30 minutes a week, throughout the year - even when the temperature is below 4 deg C and it doesn't actually do anything useful such as demisting any more - simply to stop the seals drying out.
In five years and two cars, I have never had to top the a/c gas up, and the system has worked as well as the day it was new.
My brother does not follow this advice, and whether co-incidence or not, his car (same generic type and age as mine) has required maintenance in the same period.
HTH.
/Steve
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Why would you turn it off? I think mine is climate control rather than aircon, but it's always on, usually at 21 degreees or thereabouts. Is that a problem as well?
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I turn mine off because (a) it improves fuel consumption and (b) the car idles more quietly and smoother with it off. I also find that I need to use the recirc to really "chill" the car on a hot day, not sure if I am expecting too much or if mine needs a top up. I wouldnt think so for a 3 yr old car, but I dont know how much the previous owner used it for.
S.
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SVPworld (incorporating PSRworld)
www.svpworld.com
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SVP I have an Omega too (MV6, R Reg 1998) and I don't touch the recirc. If I want cold, it does it admirably. Maybe you need a charge up - but aren't these things closed circuit, i.e. should not need refill unless problematic?
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Thanks Smokie,
I find as long as I have the vents pointing at my face, the air con is cool enough. However having been in a mates Beemer, I couldnt help but feel my air con was inadequate. I dont have climate control, just the on/off system. If I leave the recirc on and put the fan on speed 3, then if outside temp is around 24 deg C I can cool the inside of the car quite satisfactory after some 15 minutes or so, but its cool, not cold. I am wondering if a top up or pressure check is worth having, and if so can a Vaux dealer do this or is it better to visit an aircon specialist. Anyone know of what cost is average for this work?
S.
_____________________________________
SVPworld (incorporating PSRworld)
www.svpworld.com
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Dynamic Dave, the law is quite clear about the use of R12. You can't. Doesn't matter if it's owned, reclaimed, bought over the counter, it makes no difference, it can't be used for the servicing, leak testing, or recharging of any refrigeration or air conditioning system. However, I don't suppose policeman plod is going to be looking over your shoulder, and even if he was, I don't suppose has has a clue what's going on anyway.
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Dave N,
Thanks for confirming, Re: R12. My source of information was from an air con chappie who services our building system at work. However that was some time ago.
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If you're getting low on gas, it will be better to get it sorted now, before the evidence of the leak disappears. If you leave it till next year, you'll have to get it gassed just to find the leak, then take it from there.
How old is the car? If it's pre 1993, then the advice may well be different due to the demise of R12 refrigerant.
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