Air Conditioning faulty Vauxhall Zafira

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Tue 5 Apr 2005 13:49
Air Conditioning faulty Vauxhall Zafira - ifd001
My Y-reg Opel (same as a Vauxhall) Zafira's air conditioning has failed for the 2nd time in 9 months.

I had it regassed and checked for leaks by a Vauxhall dealer in July/August last year. Now, in March/April and the first warm day of the year it doesn't work again.

I've expressed my disappointment to the dealer, and they want it in to have a look at it before they'll agree to fix it at no charge - no charge is what I requested.

What can I ask / check to ensure I'm not fobbed off? When they respond "It's another £150 sir, the xxx has a stone in it, the yyy has rusted away".

The car is regularly serviced by them.

It seems unreasonable (well at least unfair on me) that I may have to fork out another £150+ on getting this fixed.

Would I be likely to get a good job/cheaper job elsewhere or is this pretty specialist?

thanks
Ian

Ian
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Tue 5 Apr 2005 16:43
Air Conditioning faulty Vauxhall Zafira - adverse camber
Have you used the A/C since last summer ?

Take it to a decent indie AC specialist. You want somewhere that does a proper test and diag not just a regas.
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Tue 5 Apr 2005 20:18
Air Conditioning faulty Vauxhall Zafira - Dave N
The truth is you didn't have it 'fixed' last year, simply recharged. If the gas came out before, then it will surely come out again,unless they actually cured the leak. But they should have put dye in the system, though it may not be visible this long after the event. What you should have done is take it back a couple of weeks after and had them look for dye, while everythings fresh in everyones mind.

What you need to ask them now, is what have they done to fix the leak. It's no good keep putting gas in otherwise. Did they really charge you £150 to recharge? Rest assured though, whatever it is that's leaking, it will surely cost a lot more then £150 to fix.
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Wed 6 Apr 2005 00:02
Air Conditioning faulty Vauxhall Zafira - peedub
I never ever turn my AC off. Leaving it on keeps the pipes and seals lubricated and this should prevent leaking. AC only cools the car if the heater's set to cold, so there's no reason not to leave it on all the time. It conditions the air, and you'll clear condensation off the windscreen much more quickly with AC on than off.
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