Fabia aircon

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Thu 23 Jun 2005 00:48
Fabia aircon - Citroënian {P}
My air conditioning isn't...

Going into work this morning it was icy cold, but while driving about it seems to have given up the ghost. I use it most days for ten minutes or so, just to keep it working but now there's no difference in air temp between aircon on/off - the light tells me that the aircon is on though.

Spoke to the dealer and they recommend a re-gas at about £30+VAT (local Skoda dealer wanted £90 (!) ). Anything else should be under warranty.

Is a regas likely to fix it?

Sorry about the rambling question, too used to waffling over in Discussion!

thanks in advance,
Lee.

-- Lee Having a Fabialous time.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 23 Jun 2005 16:00
Fabia aircon - Malcolm_L
Not too familiar with aircon faults but I had a regas in a Mondeo as I noticed the aircon was gradually becoming less effective.
This was over a period of time and not over a very short period which makes me question whether a regas would solve the problem.

However, for £30 I'd get it done and if it still didn't work, take the car to Skoda and ask them to fix it under warranty showing him the invoice for the regas.

P.S. If do get it regassed, make sure they use a refrigerant with fluorescent dye so if it leaks you can find the leak.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 23 Jun 2005 16:42
Fabia aircon - frostbite
That sudden does sound like a leak. Ask if they can leak test it (nitrogen?) first - might otherwise end up watching your £30 blow down the road or even worse, into the interior of your car.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 23 Jun 2005 17:17
Fabia aircon - Dave N
Sounds like you've either had a sudden leak or a failure some place else. Neither of which will be fixed with more gas.

Take to somewhere that can nitrogen test it (for a large leak), or if still under warranty Skoda. Depending on age/engine size, some have suffered compressor failure.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 23 Jun 2005 23:03
Fabia aircon - AndyT
Not wishing to be alarmist, but quoting from the Fabia 'car-by-car breakdown';

"Air conditioning condenser is vulnerable to road debris and costs £500 to replace (Skoda will not contribute)"
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 24 Jun 2005 12:31
Fabia aircon - Citroënian {P}
Just got back from the garage and it needs a new part - a temperature sender or something. Still, it's covered under warranty and so they'll replace it gratis and no sign of a charge for regassing.

Thanks for the comments, I'd forgotten about the CbyC point glad it wasn't that!

Lee.

-- Lee Having a Fabialous time.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 7 Jul 2005 00:22
Fabia aircon - Citroënian {P}
The car's been in for a day and it's now a lot happier. Annoyingly, the fan stopped working in anything but speed four but that too is now fixed.

No bills or hassle - top marks to the dealer!


-- Lee Having a Fabialous time.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 8 Jul 2005 14:31
Fabia aircon - Cyd
Air con condensors are often vulnerable to road debris. I've just bought the wife a car with aircon and intend to get down my local "boy racer" store and purchase some of that black mesh they like to mod grilles with. I'm going to fit it infront of the condensor where it looks to be most vulnerable.

you might like to consider doing the same - condensors are very very expensive. If you can't get black mesh get silver and spray it with black hammerite.

Use the mesh with the diamond shape holes, rather than square, so it'll stop smaller stones.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....