One quick question about A/C systems. Do they slowly lose cooling power, and gradually lose the ability to put out as cold air as they used to, or do they pretty much just spring a leak one day and pretty much end up doing nothing at all?
I feel that the A/C in my car (1999.5 Golf TDI) was very cold when I bought it, and I never had to use the "recirc" button... Now I seem to have to use it a lot, especially to initially cool the car - Air is still cold, and I can barely feel the compressor dragging the engine down at all when it's on (barely any negative impact on fuel economy... same as 2 years ago).
Is getting an A/C system "tuned up" a good idea, or will they just tell me I need new parts - We can get our Volvo's A/C system filled up for around $120, is a VW's system pretty much the same cost to fill back up, or would they only have to top it off (for cheaper... since most of the cost is the R-134 and 1/2 hour labour, labour is only $4/hr less at VW - so pretty much the same)... I am going to assume some coolant must be leaking out, probably during the winter, and only a small amount?