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Technical Aircon Shock

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Technical Aircon Shock

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Alanw47

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Just booked my wife's Corsa in for an Aircon Re-Gas and new Pollen Filter - £69.95p. Then I booked my 500X in WITH THE SAME DEALER for An Aircon Re-Gas and a new Pollen Filter. The cost? £300. The difference? The Gas. Someone in the EU is having a laugh.

And before you ask it's a Fiat Dealer.
 
Any idea how much a re-gas uses out of curiosity?
 
When I've had mine regassed, the machine measures how much is extracted, then you only pay for the additional to top up to the correct amount, plus the oil and labour. So even with the more expensive gas, unless it has got a leak and lost all its gas, price should be a lot less. Presumably dealer is charging for full gas amount, despite recovering some from your vehicle.

Ask them to show you how much was removed, and ask to take it away with you, as it is your property.
 
Alanw47 said:
Just booked my wife's Corsa in for an Aircon Re-Gas and new Pollen Filter - £69.95p. Then I booked my 500X in WITH THE SAME DEALER for An Aircon Re-Gas and a new Pollen Filter. The cost? £300. The difference? The Gas. Someone in the EU is having a laugh.

And before you ask it's a Fiat Dealer.
Click to expand...



Alan funnily enough I had my Air con re-freshed today! They say they charge by the gram. Apparently they take it all out then top it up and charge the difference!
Trouble is how much of this expensive 1234 Gas is in the system!
I was charged £68.95 in total! Anti bac, new pollen filter etc.
But they quoted £312 to update HERE maps, but that’s another thread!
 
Alex4x4 said:
Alan funnily enough I had my Air con re-freshed today! They say they charge by the gram. Apparently they take it all out then top it up and charge the difference!
Trouble is how much of this expensive 1234 Gas is in the system!
I was charged £68.95 in total! Anti bac, new pollen filter etc.
But they quoted £312 to update HERE maps, but that’s another thread!
Click to expand...



That's an excellent price for the new gas will Anti Bac and filter included.

As for the HERE maps I gave up. Paid £180 for 7" HD Garmin using HERE maps and 4 free updates per year for the life of the unit. Much more functionality than the uConnect too.
 
Lots of info on the Honest John website on this. Th R1234YF gas is 4 times more expensive than the previous type, is more flammable and prone to leak, and a single supplier has the monopoly. There are mutterings of a corruption investigation.
Mercedes have refused to use it.
 
TrevC said:
Lots of info on the Honest John website on this. Th R1234YF gas is 4 times more expensive than the previous type, is more flammable and prone to leak, and a single supplier has the monopoly. There are mutterings of a corruption investigation.
Mercedes have refused to use it.
Click to expand...



Not disputing your comment at all Trev, but I was originally told by the dealer that it was a 'gassed for life' gas but clearly not if it is more volatile, and I was also told that it was an EU edict to use it but Merc flouting the rules. Nothing changes obviously
 
I'm not sure if an EU directive is mandatory, but I think I read fairly recently that MB had won a case for continuing to use the R134a gas. Are you having the cars regassed because the ac has stopped working, or is it a dealer recommendation? For the last 15 years or so I have left the ac on permanently in my cars, and have never needed a re-gas.
More info here:
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/h...ohns-motoring-agony-column-02-09-2017-part-1/
 
TrevC said:
I'm not sure if an EU directive is mandatory, but I think I read fairly recently that MB had won a case for continuing to use the R134a gas. Are you having the cars regassed because the ac has stopped working, or is it a dealer recommendation? For the last 15 years or so I have left the ac on permanently in my cars, and have never needed a re-gas.
More info here:
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/h...ohns-motoring-agony-column-02-09-2017-part-1/
Click to expand...



The wife's car has never had the aircon used for 9 years and mine hadn't been regassed since dealer had to remove aircon unit to repair the thermostat behind it 3 3 years ago. My choice.
 
Alanw47 said:
The wife's car has never had the aircon used for 9 years and mine hadn't been regassed since dealer had to remove aircon unit to repair the thermostat behind it 3 3 years ago. My choice.
Click to expand...

Ouch!

There is a small amount of special oil in the gas, which needs to circulate regularly to lubricate not just the pump but the seals in the system. If the system is not used, the seals will dry out and allow the gas to escape. Usually a regas will be short lived. Only proper cure is to fit new O-rings at every pipe joint, but often a new compressor is needed too.

This is why so many older aircon cars no longer have working aircon.
As said above, leave it on constantly, lasts longer.
 
Yes, the best endorsement I've had for leaving the ac on was the Clio that was owned by myself, then my daughter, for a total of 9 years. It was still blowing nice and cold when she sold it. Earlier type of gas of course.
My son has a 5 year old Suzuki with the latest type of gas, and that's never been regassed and still works fine, like me he leaves it on.
Although the ac system must absorb some engine power, I've never been able to detect any mpg differences when I've conducted tests with it on or off, so no reason not to have it on permanently.
 
TrevC said:
Yes, the best endorsement I've had for leaving the ac on was the Clio that was owned by myself, then my daughter, for a total of 9 years. It was still blowing nice and cold when she sold it. Earlier type of gas of course.
My son has a 5 year old Suzuki with the latest type of gas, and that's never been regassed and still works fine, like me he leaves it on.
Although the ac system must absorb some engine power, I've never been able to detect any mpg differences when I've conducted tests with it on or off, so no reason not to have it on permanently.
Click to expand...



Absolutely. I have mine on all the time, whereas the aircon in wife's Corsa (old gas) has never been used in 9 years.
 
Alanw47 said:
Not disputing your comment at all Trev, but I was originally told by the dealer that it was a 'gassed for life' gas but clearly not if it is more volatile, and I was also told that it was an EU edict to use it but Merc flouting the rules. Nothing changes obviously
Click to expand...
Actually Merc and now going to co2 based refrigerant in all there vehicles
So guess that will definitely be a main dealer only refill especially as it runs at far higher pressure the normal Aircon
 
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