Technical AC condenser question - Fiat 500x.

[Deedadsy]

ATS couldn’t re-gas my AC, said it had a hole in it. I went to the Fiat dealership over the road and they said £700-£800 for a new condenser. Any advice on somewhere cheaper to take it to get this done as I am a single mum and skint ?

 

[varesecrazy]

ATS couldn’t re-gas my AC, said it had a hole in it. I went to the Fiat dealership over the road and they said £700-£800 for a new condenser. Any advice on somewhere cheaper to take it to get this done as I am a single mum and skint ?

The part number should give you options

I suspect the part will be @£200, labour may double that..

Part as an example :

50101/30 - CONDENSOR

FIAT 500L (2012-....)

eper.fiatforum.com

 

[portland_bill]

Without details of actual car, parts search is not definitive.
The normal suspects of Euro Car Parts and others have drawn a blank, but Autodoc do list some. There are options.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/condenser-10455/fiat/500/500x/111083-1-6-334axe1a

That page is for the 1.6 petrol, so modify the search to be accurate for your vehicle.

Ask around, for a local independent garage who will fit it for you. They may have their own source, or be willing to fit yours, if you supply it.

Aircon gas could be R134 or R1234yf, there should be a label under the bonnet. Some of these condensers seem to specify suitability for only one gas type. R1234yf is expensive gas, but less damaging to the environment when it escapes.

 

[Deedadsy]

Without details of actual car, parts search is not definitive.
The normal suspects of Euro Car Parts and others have drawn a blank, but Autodoc do list some. There are options.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/condenser-10455/fiat/500/500x/111083-1-6-334axe1a

That page is for the 1.6 petrol, so modify the search to be accurate for your vehicle.

Ask around, for a local independent garage who will fit it for you. They may have their own source, or be willing to fit yours, if you supply it.

Aircon gas could be R134 or R1234yf, there should be a label under the bonnet. Some of these condensers seem to specify suitability for only one gas type. R1234yf is expensive gas, but less damaging to the environment when it escapes.

Without details of actual car, parts search is not definitive.
The normal suspects of Euro Car Parts and others have drawn a blank, but Autodoc do list some. There are options.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/condenser-10455/fiat/500/500x/111083-1-6-334axe1a

That page is for the 1.6 petrol, so modify the search to be accurate for your vehicle.

Ask around, for a local independent garage who will fit it for you. They may have their own source, or be willing to fit yours, if you supply it.

Aircon gas could be R134 or R1234yf, there should be a label under the bonnet. Some of these condensers seem to specify suitability for only one gas type. R1234yf is expensive gas, but less damaging to the environment when it escapes.

Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to advise. It’s a 500x pop star hatchback 1.4 manual.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Without details of actual car, parts search is not definitive.
The normal suspects of Euro Car Parts and others have drawn a blank, but Autodoc do list some. There are options.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/condenser-10455/fiat/500/500x/111083-1-6-334axe1a

That page is for the 1.6 petrol, so modify the search to be accurate for your vehicle.

Ask around, for a local independent garage who will fit it for you. They may have their own source, or be willing to fit yours, if you supply it.

Aircon gas could be R134 or R1234yf, there should be a label under the bonnet. Some of these condensers seem to specify suitability for only one gas type. R1234yf is expensive gas, but less damaging to the environment when it escapes.

All good stuff PB. May I add for Deedadsy's benefit? Don't buy the condensor first and then approach a garage. Some will fit supplied parts but many won't. Of course this is because they want the mark up from supplying the parts but proven quality and the reassurance of using brands they have confidence in plays a part too (they've got to have confidence in guaranteeing their work) They'll be buying from local factors etc so should still work out cheaper than the Genuine FIAT price. A lot of wee garages now offer air con service - it's a "nice wee earner" if the customer agrees to it at service time and it's a good thing for the customer too. Up here in the city there are a number of mobile mechanics who specialize in air con repairs and will come to you to do the repair - which is very convenient. They also provide services to some of the smaller garages which don't have their own equipment and their prices are very reasonable I'm told (haven't actually used one as my pal's garage has all the necessary gear.) might be worth asking around or doing a search to see if you've one local to you?

Two general points worth mentioning:
1. I'm pretty sure it's actually illegal to work on the gas side of aircon systems and it's definitely illegal to release the gas itself. The gas, if it gets on your skin, is very very nasty stuff - definitely best left to someone trained and qualified to do it.

2. Air con needs to be used frequently to stop the system seals drying out and letting the refrigerant leak away. Once dried out the seals are very difficult to save and it's likely a new, expensive, compressor will be needed. Some say to just leave it switched on all the time, which I don't do because it means the radiator fan runs all the time and I don't want it failing prematurely, but I do run mine at least once a week when we go out to the grandchildren - so an hour to get there and an hour back to home.

Note, just because the aircon is "on" doesn't mean you have to have the heater blowing cold air. You still have complete control using the temperature control or automatic settings it's just that the refrigerant circulates if the aircon is on - it'll only deliver cold air if you select cold. This is particularly useful in winter because the aircon removes moisture from the air so greatly reduces windscreen fogging. Apologies to those who know this, but I mention it because many don't. Whatever you do don't just turn your aircon off at the beginning of winter and stop using it. Like as not it won't work when you try to use it the following spring.

 

[The Panda Nut]

All good stuff PB. May I add for Deedadsy's benefit? Don't buy the condensor first and then approach a garage. Some will fit supplied parts but many won't. Of course this is because they want the mark up from supplying the parts but proven quality and the reassurance of using brands they have confidence in plays a part too (they've got to have confidence in guaranteeing their work) They'll be buying from local factors etc so should still work out cheaper than the Genuine FIAT price. A lot of wee garages now offer air con service - it's a "nice wee earner" if the customer agrees to it at service time and it's a good thing for the customer too. Up here in the city there are a number of mobile mechanics who specialize in air con repairs and will come to you to do the repair - which is very convenient. They also provide services to some of the smaller garages which don't have their own equipment and their prices are very reasonable I'm told (haven't actually used one as my pal's garage has all the necessary gear.) might be worth asking around or doing a search to see if you've one local to you?

Two general points worth mentioning:
1. I'm pretty sure it's actually illegal to work on the gas side of aircon systems and it's definitely illegal to release the gas itself. The gas, if it gets on your skin, is very very nasty stuff - definitely best left to someone trained and qualified to do it.

2. Air con needs to be used frequently to stop the system seals drying out and letting the refrigerant leak away. Once dried out the seals are very difficult to save and it's likely a new, expensive, compressor will be needed. Some say to just leave it switched on all the time, which I don't do because it means the radiator fan runs all the time and I don't want it failing prematurely, but I do run mine at least once a week when we go out to the grandchildren - so an hour to get there and an hour back to home.

Note, just because the aircon is "on" doesn't mean you have to have the heater blowing cold air. You still have complete control using the temperature control or automatic settings it's just that the refrigerant circulates if the aircon is on - it'll only deliver cold air if you select cold. This is particularly useful in winter because the aircon removes moisture from the air so greatly reduces windscreen fogging. Apologies to those who know this, but I mention it because many don't. Whatever you do don't just turn your aircon off at the beginning of winter and stop using it. Like as not it won't work when you try to use it the following spring.

Nah it doesnt run all the time, if thats exactly what you mean. It does cut in and out, all the time, but maybe half the time. It seems to boost the condenser much as the cars cooling. Obviously runs more if the car is stationary as no ram cooling to do the work.Daffo we had for 5.5 years and the cooling fan was fine. The blower fan was getting tired as that was on all the time, If you switch that fan off the air con is off anyway but we found the car is stuffy and the glass steams up if the fan isnt left on low. Bogdan the Bravo air con was on for 100,000 miles and didnt waiver.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Nah it doesnt run all the time, if thats exactly what you mean. It does cut in and out, all the time, but maybe half the time. It seems to boost the condenser much as the cars cooling. Obviously runs more if the car is stationary as no ram cooling to do the work.Daffo we had for 5.5 years and the cooling fan was fine. The blower fan was getting tired as that was on all the time, If you switch that fan off the air con is off anyway but we found the car is stuffy and the glass steams up if the fan isnt left on low. Bogdan the Bravo air con was on for 100,000 miles and didnt waiver.

Agreed, it doesn't run "all the time" but it does run a lot more than when the aircon is off? I think the important thing though is for people to realize it needs to be used frequently to maintain the system?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

What year is your Car? this may be important as it may use the older R134a gas or newer cars use the R1234yf gas which is much more expensive. This can have a big impact on the price you pay for regasing, and may mean the car uses different parts depending on which gas is used.
You don't need to know much more than there are two types of gas and one is more expensive. really it makes no difference to you using the aircon just the price you pay when work needs doing.

Make sure you know which gas your car does use, because as they say fore armed is fore warned and if a garage was for example trying to charge you a higher price you might be able to "correct their error"

also if yours did use the more expensive gas then you would not have such a surprise if you did get a higher than expected bill.

 

[850kd]

Condenser costs about £100 fitting 2hours gas refill ( new) £120.
I went to a local air con specialist. Easy job for them.

 

[varesecrazy]

ATS couldn’t re-gas my AC, said it had a hole in it. I went to the Fiat dealership over the road and they said £700-£800 for a new condenser. Any advice on somewhere cheaper to take it to get this done as I am a single mum and skint ?

Did you make any progress with this?