On my 2003 X244 the factory fitted cab aircon does not work. I last had it re-gassed about three years ago but as I use the van infrequently, and not at all over the winter months, I suspect that there has been leakage (nothing showing during re-gassing), or something more serious such as seals etc.
It seems pointless to me to re-gas yet again. We all know that A/C needs to be run periodically to lubricate the seals but I can't do this from November to April, so I'm wondering is it possible or even a good idea to remove the A/C drive belt and just disconnect it, as it were. Would there be any electronic ECU problems? Would fuel consumption improve?
The van's old and i suspect that even an A/C diagnostic test would be expensive, let alone any compressor/condensor remedial work.
All remarks, ideas welcome.

Compressors are already disconnected by an electric clutch when not in use if youre planning on disconnecting it completely it will just end up seized.

If you do not regularly let the aircon run for a few minutes, it will lose some gas. You cannot prevent that.
My Kia Sorento has automatic airconditioning that is switched on also on cold winter days to quickly clear the windscreen. The car is 10 years old now and never had the system filled or checked. My Fiat regularly needs gas because - like you - I do not use the aircon in winter.
I solved the problem by buying a small bottle of gas and a hose with a connector. If in spring the aircon refuses to switch on, I add a small quantity of gas until the compressor starts.

We had ours repaired under warranty once but the next summer it failed again.
Since then it has been re-gassed more than once and investigated, but why it doesn't last has never been determined.

So before we go abroard in the summer I have it re-gassed whether it needs it or not, works out cheaper than replacing an expensive part.

Maybe false economy I know.

lancepar said:

We had ours repaired under warranty once but the next summer it failed again.
Since then it has been re-gassed more than once and investigated, but why it doesn't last has never been determined.

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There is a vertical, braided freon hose connecting the compressor to the air conditioning installation. If your A/C failed after just one season, the factory installed hose "sweats" and must be replaced. All early X250 vehicles had the same problem, somewhere around 2009 Fiat changed supplier.

CDK said:

There is a vertical, braided freon hose connecting the compressor to the air conditioning installation. If your A/C failed after just one season, the factory installed hose "sweats" and must be replaced. All early X250 vehicles had the same problem, somewhere around 2009 Fiat changed supplier.

Click to expand...

Ok,
Next time it's looked at I'll mention what you said above, but would it apply to a 2005 X244? The warranty was from when we got it in 2011.
Cheers