Car air con not working

[Michael Shillabeer]

Hello

I had my PT Cruiser's air con recharged on Friday and it was good!

Saturday it was fantastically cool

Sunday it wasn't quite so cool... and no ac when stationary (this is due to the fan relays not switching on, they've been problematical - sticking on or off at random!)

Monday afternoon I roasted driving home!

There must be a leak in the system.

Has anybody used EZ Chill DIY air con recharge and leak fix from Halfords?

Or is there some other stuff I can use?

Or should I just throw money at the problem at a garage?

Thanks
Michael

[Sprintex]

Where did you have it recharged on friday? Any half-decent garage should first perform a leak-test to make sure the system is in good health before recharging with gas, even Kwikfit did this when I took my car there

Also was it working to some extent before you had it recharged? If it's been left without gas for a while the rubber seals in the system will dry out and shrink causing refrigerant loss. Air-con systems should be used for at least 20 mins once a month even in winter as the refrigerant also contains a seal-lubricant.

Personally I wouldn't trust any leak-fix in a can, if it's leaking then it probably could do with seals replacing somewhere


Paul

[Michael Shillabeer]

Hello Paul

It was recharged at Kwik Fit.

It was very feeble beore recharging.

I use all year because it speeds demisting.

Are seals DIYable? Particularly, if the gas has gone!

Thanks some more
Michael

[Michael Shillabeer]

Thanks for the advice

Grrrrr, more expense At Eurocarparts a condensor is £286

I've had 4 non-repairable punctures in less than 6 months too

If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!

[MikeDunn]

Only use that stuff if you are happy to replace the air-con system 

As far as the leak is concerned - KwikFit may not have resealed the system properly; it is not fit for purpose.  Phone them up & explain, then take it back for it to be checked out ...  You should be covered under statutory rights, especially if you paid by credit card & it was above the minimum.

I had mine recharged from the 'local' branch earlier this year (had the anti-bacterial stuff done too), and it was OK; took over 2 hours instead of the quoted one though !

[Oldman]

other possibility could be one of the hoses is starting to perish.

[Michael Shillabeer]

Thanks for all the advice - much quicker than on a motoring forum!

I've just called Kwik Fit

Started by asking them about their re-gas process.

Told they do leak test first before re-gasing.

Then I explained my problem. They've asked me to go back and they'll check it.

[B757-236GT]

Ive had some very good service from Kwikfit but ive also had some shockers, i had an exhaust that instead of replacing they actually bodged with gun-gum. And then there were the seals that were always blowing depsite them "fixing it three times" in the end i did it myself and i found it was the sealant that was causing the problem. Having said that theyve also been very good when i needed my rear bearings replaced and actually went beyond what they probably needed to do. It does obviously depend on who you get!

The problem is you might get someone whose got little or no knowledge of the system so i tend to take mine to a specialist.

In terms of aircon ive been told on my Focus to leave it on most of the time as it helps the DPF regen itself.

Richard

[B757-236GT]

I think its because it puts extra load on the engine which helps. Yep its a new one on me too but if buy a new 3 series it does state it in the handbook too! The trouble with Focus is it has such low gearing to do 2300 on the motorway either means doing 80 in 5th or 58 in 4th! Mind you ive been getting low 70s to gallon since i have done a few runs with it.

Richard

[Michael Shillabeer]

I took Petie back to Kwik Fit yesterday afternoon and they re-gased him for no charge.

Lots of cold air this morning feels colder than before - I can see my breath

Hope this lasts!

Thanks for all the responses
Michael

[Bealman]

I went without aircon in the car for 5 years (imagine that in the Aussie summer... quite literally driving HELL), having been told by some supposedly car expert it would cost a fortune to get fixed.

When I went to a local auto electrician for an unrelated problem, he asked me if I knew the air on wasn't working. It was a stinking hot day, and I replied something like "you don't say"

Anyway he regassed it for $100 - about £50! Five years of suffering for £50!

Can you tell I don't know about cars? 

[MikeDunn]

Five years of suffering for £50!

Can you tell I don't know about cars? 

"you don't say"

[Michael Shillabeer]

Well my excitement of the air con working was short lived

By the time I left work yesterday no cold air at all

More festering expense plus MOT is due next month and all four discs and pads need replacing along with a caliper

If only I could get a job with a shiny new company car!

Best regards
Michael

[MikeDunn]

Back it goes, then ?

If they're doing their job properly, it should either remain OK or they should warn you of a leak that needs a repair ...

[Michael Shillabeer]

I'm thinking I need to find a specialist for this now

Hopefully summer is over now...