I've been told that automotive aircon systems need recharging every couple of years, and I've read elsewhere that three years is about right.
What is a realistic time to expect air conditioning to work before needing recharging? I mean, it isn't cheap! I may not bother getting the aircon on my vehicle done if it's just going to last a few years.
In my experience of four cars with A/C, it lasts well when new, but progressively needs topping up more frequently as it gets older. About 5-7 years is the life of the system without replacing parts.
My own view is: "If it aint broke, don't fix it". If your air conditioning is working fine then why mess with it? When its' performance begins to tail off - then is the time to consider a re-charge.
Kev
Maybe I should have explained that it is broke - and I would like to fix it. I bought a car with aircon that doesn't blow cold. Maybe there is a leak that's let all the gas out, maybe it just 'migrated' out over time through the hoses. There are some DIY kits available in the USA which are cheap enough to chance the effect not lasting that long - on the other hand it's probably very hazardous to use that kind of kit. You know, Freon replacement out of what look like aerosol cans.
Freon, a inert gas, used to be the gas used in nearly all aerosols to push the contents out until it was replaced by butane, an inflammable gas capable of easily making explosive mixtures, in the interests of safety.
"Freon Gas" is the name given to any gas used as a refrigerent.
I know when my air con needs re gassing as the end blowers on my Audi start to lose the real coldness of the aircon, the centre ones continue to pump out cold air.
The cost is likly to be around 50-80 quid depending on the place, they will weigh your old gas then top it up with new stuff and check the temp, if its all leaked out, it will be worth having it pressure checked first, and dye tested, they put a ultraviolet dye in the gas and run it through the system, this shows up leaks easily when uv light is applied under the bonnet.
If it has a leak it will need replacing, usually the leak is around the compressor which gets all the use, and if someone didnt top the gas up properly last time this will wear the bearings out in the compressor.
Do not attempt to recharge the system yourself, as you will never do it right, you ned specialist tools, and scales among other things.
Just hope the leak isnt inside the car, as this can cost loads :(
hth
Ronny
The message from Peter Parry contains these words:
Inert - but not when it comes to interferring with ozone at high altitude.
: "Freon Gas" is the name given to any gas used as a refrigerent.
From the Encyclopaedia Britannica...
Freon (trademark), any of several chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are used in commerce and industry. The CFCs are a group of aliphatic organic compounds containing the elements carbon and fluorine and, in many cases, other halogens (especially chlorine) and hydrogen. The name Freon is a trademark registered by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company.
Ian
Does it become 'ert' then?
The message from "PM" contains these words:
What a very ept comment!
I thought it was rather ane!
The message from "PM" contains these words:
You want to watch the more grumpy members of this group don't loose their gruntlement.
Let's keep them ruly.
& getting it refilled & the oil replaced isn't excesivelly expensive at most aircon specialists.
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