Car Air Con

[Davidtav]

So I have a ten year old Mini Cooper. And two years ago the air con wasn’t getting cold. So my local garage, who I trust, regassed the system. It worked again. In honesty I didn’t think it was quite as effective as when the car was new. But it was working

 

Now two years later it definitely isn’t working again. The car is going in for some other work. And I did mention the air con and said I don’t think I will bother doing anything about it. Car is ten years old I think the system is probably leaky

 

But he was quite adamant that it is perfectly normal for the air con to need regassinng once a year. He was quite persuasive. And I don’t think he is being disingenuous exactly. But I don’t really understand why they should need regassing at all. I’ve had cars for years now. Generally much younger than this I know. But they haven’t needed regassing. And we don’t get fridges regassed. And they are basically the same as I understand it

 

Does anyone actually know about this?  I’m still inclined not to bother getting it done if it’s going to need doing every year. 

[Fozzie]

If having it on has no noticeable effect on whats coming out of the vents he's having you on I think. An aircon system loses about 10-15% of its refrigerant every year. So most places suggest 3-4 year intervals, though I've seen as little as 2 to keep it working effectively.

However, it completely not working after 2 means you're losing more than 50% a year, which is abnormal. This is way above the normal rate, so I'd say you have a bad pipe/seal somewhere that is letting more by than it should. 

[Old-codger]

As said its normal for air con systems to lose refridgerant at about 10% a year, some systems are better than others. Get the garage to put dye in the system first and look for leaks under UV light. A lot of people have their aircon off during cold weather but this can cause problems with seals drying out which causes leaks. Just use the aircon a couple of times a month. When you had it regassed a couple of years ago did they put the lubricant in as well as the refridgerant as a lot of quick fix garages just suck out old gas if any and just regas. 

[Davidtav]

15 minutes ago, Fozzie said:

If having it on has no noticeable effect on whats coming out of the vents he's having you on I think. An aircon system loses about 10-15% of its refrigerant every year. So most places suggest 3-4 year intervals, though I've seen as little as 2 to keep it working effectively.

However, it completely not working after 2 means you're losing more than 50% a year, which is abnormal. This is way above the normal rate, so I'd say you have a bad pipe/seal somewhere that is letting more by than it should. 

That is pretty much what I thought as well. I might take it to an air con specialist. Try to avoid the BMW dealers though. That is never inexpensive 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

It is generally because the pipes they fit to air con systems in cars are rubbish. A mate had one leak and the replacement part was over £100. He got a replacement made where he worked for less than a fiver. The chap who made it used the original as a template and said that the quality of the original was very poor. On an older car you can expect to have to regas on a regular basis, but once they get to that stage I just leave it well alone. You end up throwing money at a system that was pretty crap to begin with.

[Davidtav]

10 minutes ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

It is generally because the pipes they fit to air con systems in cars are rubbish. A mate had one leak and the replacement part was over £100. He got a replacement made where he worked for less than a fiver. The chap who made it used the original as a template and said that the quality of the original was very poor. On an older car you can expect to have to regas on a regular basis, but once they get to that stage I just leave it well alone. You end up throwing money at a system that was pretty crap to begin with.

I think that is right. And if old cars are leaking refrigerant at that rate. Must be very bad for the environment 

[MikeHorton]

Try and find a local Air con specialist rather than a garage

 I had the same issue garage will happily do a basic test which won't pick up a leak tell you all is well and keep regassing you every year. I knew mine was knackered found a local air con specialist they ran some dye in and found the issue had a new air con rad and it was as good as new and didn't need refilling every year subsequently 

[Davidtav]

5 minutes ago, MikeHorton said:

Try and find a local Air con specialist rather than a garage

 I had the same issue garage will happily do a basic test which won't pick up a leak tell you all is well and keep regassing you every year. I knew mine was knackered found a local air con specialist they ran some dye in and found the issue had a new air con rad and it was as good as new and didn't need refilling every year subsequently 

I will definitely do that. Thanks

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I'm having issues with the air con on the bike. It's fine when I'm moving but it seems to cut out when I'm stationary. 

[Davidtav]

I hope you guys don’t mind me asking questions about cars. I wouldn’t ordinarily run a ten year old car. But new cars are so expensive. And scarce at the moment. I’ve been very generous to my youngest daughter to get her a flat in London this year. I can’t really buy much stuff. And my teeth need sorting lol they are falling apart. I need a few implants. That is being sorted. And is very expensive. And I own a yacht in a very nice marina.  You wouldn’t believe how expensive … err so I’m not really able to change my car right now. Or my motorbike. Hope I haven’t annoyed anyone with my first world issues

[MikeHorton]

18 minutes ago, Davidtav said:

I hope you guys don’t mind me asking questions about cars. I wouldn’t ordinarily run a ten year old car. But new cars are so expensive. And scarce at the moment. I’ve been very generous to my youngest daughter to get her a flat in London this year. I can’t really buy much stuff. And my teeth need sorting lol they are falling apart. I need a few implants. That is being sorted. And is very expensive. And I own a yacht in a very nice marina.  You wouldn’t believe how expensive … err so I’m not really able to change my car right now. Or my motorbike. Hope I haven’t annoyed anyone with my first world issues

No makes perfect sense  my beloved 12yo was well maintained and didn't miss a beat only got shut when it was wrote off I could have bought it back and had it repaired but we have opted to just have the one car now and swapped that one for a hybrid the aggo was a little too small. I think you are best hanging onto it as long as economically viable 

[Davidtav]

5 minutes ago, MikeHorton said:

No makes perfect sense  my beloved 12yo was well maintained and didn't miss a beat only got shut when it was wrote off I could have bought it back and had it repaired but we have opted to just have the one car now and swapped that one for a hybrid the aggo was a little too small. I think you are best hanging onto it as long as economically viable 

I kind of agree. It’s the best ten year old car I’ve had. 

[Davidtav]

Yeah. There are are a few minor issues with it but it would probably do another ten years. I’m not used to having old cars. But I’m not doing so many miles. It is a very nippy car

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I love running older cars. New cars are too much hassle. I only once bought a new car and it was a nightmare. The least reliable car I ever had. 

 

If they are properly maintained older cars can be reliable motoring that you don't need to worry about so much. 

 

 

[oldgrump]

Must admit, don't think we have ever turned the air con on in the car, and the wife brought it new 15yrs ago!!! 

[S-Westerly]

Just hired a 56 plate BMW 730. Ran very well. 

[oldgrump]

2 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

I love running older cars. New cars are too much hassle. I only once bought a new car and it was a nightmare. The least reliable car I ever had. 

 

If they are properly maintained older cars can be reliable motoring that you don't need to worry about so much. 

 

 

Well here's one for you,  last car out of my wife's father's collection,  taken 2 yrs to empty his workshop,  and no Air conditioning problem's,  just open the windscreen 

[onesea]

7 hours ago, oldgrump said:

Well here's one for you,  last car out of my wife's father's collection,  taken 2 yrs to empty his workshop,  and no Air conditioning problem's,  just open the windscreen 

 

Ohh shiny it's got metal wheels.

My mum gave this up in her 70's, when she could no longer change a wheel in the event of a puncture.

She felt embarrassed having to call the AA or then tell them what they had to do.

As she was no longer strong enough.

Her next was a newer a triumph vitess.