Car Air Con

[taichiperson]

When my car was not so old (coming up for ten years now) I used to take it to my local dealer for servicing. Around 3 years ago they told me the air con needed a new compressor and another part and was quoted over £700. I decided to do without at the time, but hubby thought I might be able to get it repaired cheaper at a local garage. In January this year I could not drive for a month (small heart attack) so sent it for a check over as the suspension was noisy, and asked the garage(Kwik Fit)to check the air con too. They just topped the gas up and it was fine which pleased me no end. About six weeks ago the air con started making noises (a sort of hissing) and eventually gave up. When I sent the car to Kwik Fit again last week for service and MOT, again I asked them to take a look at the air con - again they topped it up and again it's working fine.

So my question is this - should I just keep on sending it back for a top up? It seems to last four months or so, whereas before it would go for a year without needing any attention. Is that normal? I'd be interested to understand a little more about how the system works, and whether replacing the compressor might be a good idea - or just too expensive considering the age of the car.

[Old_Geezer]

They should be able to put a dye in to see where it possibly leaks out and needs topping up. Should not need topping up every 4 months.

[taichiperson]

Thanks OG - it only cost me £20 so it didn't bother me, but next time I'll ask them to do that and see if it fixes it.

[taichiperson]

Now what's bothering me is - were the dealer right when they said the compressor needed to be replaced? I took the car there for years as originally the car had three years services paid for, then I went on to paying a monthly fee to cover the servicing. After that I felt it was a bit long in the tooth to be going back to the dealer, and it would be cheaper to use local garages. I've not found one I like yet though. Kwik Fit were good but I've not taken it in myself - first time because I was incapacitated, second time I was on my hols.

[Old_Geezer]

Well, is it the thing that's leaking ? It still seems to work between top-ups. But I'm just going from my limited experience, hopefully a petrol-head will be along in a moment, who actually knows.

[Karolina82]

The refrigerant is leaking from the "sealed" system at too high a rate. Top-ups are usually needed every four or five years. A dye will not work as the refrigerant leaks as a gas.
It may be something as simple as a faulty seal but it is likely to be very difficult to fix.

[Old_Geezer]

Interesting,as my garage said they had put a dye in mine, but I was too busy to take it back for checking.

[tonyav]

[Karolina82]

You're absolutely right Geezer, I stand corrected. Thanks for the interesting video, Tony.

[tonyav]

Your welcome.

[EDDIE51]

Your air con has a leak and with time leaks get worse not better, so eventually it will get to the point where it loses the gas so fast it's not worth the bother. A new compressor will cost almost as much as replacing the entire a/c . Use 4 x 40 air con! 40 mph with all 4 windows open!

[tonyav]

This might be worth a go at 20 quid.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/air-con/superseal-air-conditioning-leak-sealant-mrl-3

[Hopkirk]

Mind you, have a read of the reviews on Tony's product. Not many positives.

[tonyav]

Ain't my product.

[taichiperson]

Thanks Karolina and Tony - now if they had said 'It's leaking' I'd have understood it better! I'm spoiled I know, I love having air con being a female of a certain age, and I often have my 80 plus year old mother with me, so to be without it in recent temperatures would have been extremely unpleasant. It looks like the original quote of £700 plus might be realistic; it's a Honda and I've found that it's extremely reliable but parts are expensive. Love the 40x4 analogy, I had been using that for a while anyway! Now to decide whether to lump it, ditch it or fork out...

[taichiperson]

One more question - how noxious is the refrigerant? I have not noticed any nasty patches under the car (parked on hardstanding gravel/grass) but don't want to be leaking nasty stuff...

[Karolina82]

The refrigerant will be released as a gas. In small concentrations it is not particularly toxic but it does contribute to Global Warming. Refrigerants are assigned a value called a Global Warming Potential (GWP). Newer refrigerants have a lower GWP than those used a few years ago.

[Hopkirk]

Not worth spending over £700 on a car of that age.

Better to put that money towards upgrading the car, perhaps in time for next year's heatwaves.

[taichiperson]

I feared as much Hopkirk. Where I live I only 'need' air con every other year lol. It does have sentimental value as it was my Dad's car, who passed away 9 years ago. However, hubby's car is probably the one that needs to be replaced first (fingers crossed).

[EDDIE51]

At ten years old the car is not worth much more than the £700 it will cost to replace the A/C. Just keep driving it and don't worry about the A/C . You could try a tin of the air con leak sealer that has been mentioned, if it works all is well , if it doesn't work you have only lost £20.