Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 99 1.8 Servicing of air con system

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Sun 27 Jul 2008 19:24
99 1.8 Servicing of air con system - jp147
I own a Ford Focus 1.8 petrol which has air conditioning fitted.

I bought the car when it was 5 years old and I have no evidence that the air con system has ever been serviced and so far in the time that I have had it, I have had nothing done to it.

I have read on the internet that up to 10% of the refrigerant is lost every year.

The air temperature that I get when I use it with the recirculation switch "ON" is still quite cold but I am worried about the compressor failing.

Any information or personal experience welcome.
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Sun 27 Jul 2008 23:24
99 1.8 Servicing of air con system - Simon
Maybe a re-gas would be the wise option, but I am a great believer in the old "if it ain't broke - don't fix it". If it was my car (and I incidentally have a three and a half year old Focus) I wouldn't worry about the aircon system unless it developed a fault.

As for the compressor failing then if it is going to fail it will do regardless of the amount of gas in the system. I am no expert but if the gas pressure falls too low, I understand that the aircon system has a safety cut-out and will not operate if there isn't sufficient gas in the system.
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Mon 28 Jul 2008 01:13
99 1.8 Servicing of air con system - Dynamic Dave
The AC system also has lubricating oil in the system. I believe this relies on the gas to help disperse it right through the system. If it is low on gas then the oil isn't going to fully circulate and lubricate the AC components.
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Mon 28 Jul 2008 01:56
99 1.8 Servicing of air con system - backtodiesel
I have a 2001 ford focus the a/c is as good as the day I bought it (new). I agree that if it is working leave it well alone.
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Mon 28 Jul 2008 09:17
99 1.8 Servicing of air con system - jc2
My 2000 Escort's A/C was still working well after 8.5 years but I took advantage of a dealer offer of "clean,disinfect and regas" and it made a system I thought was OK even better.
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Mon 28 Jul 2008 12:52
99 1.8 Servicing of air con system - Old Navy
My recent cars have gone about 6 years without requiring aircon attention. This one (a MK2 focus) was down on aircon performance after 3 years and a regas brought it back to full cold. It passed a leak test but was about 20% down on gas. I suppose it depends on the car, they were all treated the same - aircon always on.
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Sun 1 Jul 2018 13:00
Servicing of air con system - John F

Haven't seen this mentioned for some time, so thought worth revisiting especially as there is still some outrageous touting from self-styled experts persuading the gullible to have an expensive 'service' regas every two or three years.

For the past year or two our 17 going on 18yr old Focus has been blowing progressively less cool air so the current heat wave prompted what I thought was an excellent value £39.95 first ever regas at an aptly named 'in and out' garage. Bliss!

If it works, don't waste money mending it.

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Sun 1 Jul 2018 15:58
Servicing of air con system - skidpan

In almost 20 years of having aircon only needed a re-gas twice. First was on a Mini which was done under warranty. Stopped blowing cold but they never said if there was a leak or if it was "just one of those things", never happened again whilst we owned it

Second was on a Kia Ceed, stopped blowing cold and the system was noisy. Hole in the condensor and no refrigerant in the system. All repaired FOC by Kia.

But do not be tempted by those DIY kits. Every car need the correct product and correct amount. Unless the system is purged before refilling you will never know if its overfilled. The system also needs the correct amount of oil to lubricate the A/C pump, how do you do that with a "one size fits all" kit.

Best left to the experts on an "as required basis". If it blows cold its working.

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