Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Hi,

what experiences have you had with the Halfords type small canister to recharge / top up your air con systems?

Any good or does my car need to go into a specialist? My air con works mint for 1/2 hour but then gets warmer. If I turn it off for 5 mins and then back on again its lovely and cold again. Seems to me it needs a top up.

Not really trying to save money - I will get it fixed no matter what but would get a kit if I knew they were ok. I would not buy a kit if it was not working as that would mean a hole in something or a seal gone etc. It works and fades...........

Let me know your thoughts and experiences

dangerousbrian

not worth it really. ideally for it to work to its potential you will need to know how much gas is left in so you know how much to up with. just go to a garage and get it emptied and regassed to the right amount. they will probably be able to get them to test the system for leaks aswell. out of interest how much is the kit from halfrauds?

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

£45 I think

dangerousbrian

definitely not worth imo. you could get it tested and a proper top up for about the same. and probably a treatment to kill the bacteria aswell. as a rough guide, my mate charges £35 for this.

Fst

I have just done a air conditioning course and was warned about using the halfords canisters. As you can overcharge your system and mess it up. It just sounds like your refrigerant is low so imo I would take it to get it done properly as said its not much.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

I have the kit, I found it ok, only used it yesterday actually whilst working on a friends car!

Apparently the gas is the same as that used in Nasa

I can't see how you can really overcharge it tbh, unless you don't follow the instructions, as you test the pressure initially after running the A/C for 3 minutes, although some systems have a pressure switch built in, so that when they are out of gas the compressor won't run to save damage!

So long as you top up a little and check your ok, I done it on my car but it had a leak, it's just a shame it doesn't have any UV properties like some so you can track where it's coming from!

Martin

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

I got the anti bacteria stuff thrown in as well, still have it actually, never used it, apparently you put in inside the car and it looks like a powder or something and then clears?

Martin

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

its cheap enough to get done anyways, i wouldnt throw good money after bad on a self regas can personally.

ajamesc

best thing to do is find some one who knows what there doing lol a lot of the places now are people who have been on the free parts factor course and dont know fuck all about air dont vac them out for long enough and they still work shit!

kal1

iTrader: (2)

Kwik fit have a special offer on at the mo,charging 49.99 for an aircon refill.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I would get it done properly.

foreigneRS

overcharging can be much worse for performance and reliability than under charging. you're giving out shit info there.

also, the low pressure switch is not an effective device for preventing comprressor damage, as running on a high or low charge for any length of time can cause cumulative damage through overheating and lack of lubrication. people underestimate just how sophisticated an a/c compressor really is and how vital it's running conditions are to it's durability.

manufacturers spend a lot of time and money to determine the correct charge amount for a system, and as little as 50g either side of that can make a big difference in pressures and performance. believe me, i've been there and done that.

mattman1234

i still have some r12 and oil left over from when i did my cossie years ago,reckon enough for 2 or 3 charges if anyone's interested

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Proper job then - its gonna be worth it

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

I diden't say that, you misread it, I said it's hard to overcharge IF you follow the instuctions, as the gauge clearly indicates the pressure, so unless you add a load of pressure without checking, but yes quite, overcharging is very bad!

I just stated that when the pressure drops the pressure switch is there to prevent damage, which is true?

Martin

matts1

anyone know why leaks are so common? Had a few motors over the years that the air con has stopped working on and when regassed, they say it has a leak?

Not rip off places either.

studabear

The machine will tell you it has a leak if it fails the leak detection stage.

Condensors can often be the culprit, stone damage etc

STeve

iTrader: (11)

my mate just done mine on the ST for mates rates at kwikfit made a huge difference as it went from cold to freezing so happy days

foreigneRS

sorry, but it's not true. you can still cause damage by running at a low charge that is not too low to trip the switch. it's the idea of the switch in the event of rapid leakage, but doesn't prevent long term damage due to overheating, lack of lubrication etc

mechanic28

iTrader: (5)

95% of the time that causes leaks is lack of use people dont use their air con enough specially during the winter months,with out frequent use the seals on the pipes run dry thus lading to leaks

RS_Stevie

thats correct, charge is very critical for optimal performance of the system, not enough and the compressor will over heat which will lead to the oil burning and eventually will break down the compressor windings. too much and it will have the same adverse effect. the charge is critical and so is the oil charge of the system.

whenever a leak is present the system must be reclaimed, pressure tested and the leak found and repaired. then the system must be evacuated and dehydrated and the correct volume of refrigerant charged to the system

most leaks are attributed to the oil seals on the interconnecting pipe work and leak due to the o rings leaking. run your system on a regular basis and the refrigerant will travel around the system thus lubricating the o rings

foreigneRS

since when have automotive compressors been driven by electric motors?

RS_Stevie

should of kept my mouth shut shouldnt i, spouting off all technical and whilst the basis of what was i was saying technically was correct you kinda got me on the windings part as thats all to do with a completely different type of compressor

hey but 10/10 for the observation and i'll get me coat

Rollinz

Omg how old is this lol!! I didnt think r12 had been used for a long time!

With the halfords cans you add into the low pressure line.... So how do you know what the high pressure side is doing???

If you have too much gas it doesnt always mean too much pressure but actually the condenser "could" start to fill with liquid and loose efficency,

On the other scale with too much is there is more chance of bringing liquid back to the compressor...


Also without doing a propper vac down (if the system was empty) any moisture in there from not changine the dryer could work its way around to the expansion valve which would then freeze and cause over pressure....

A/c is complex! A squirt from a can is the worst thing you could ever do tbh!!


Also to mention if you check the pressure what does the can say it should be? Cause this will vary depending on the days ambiant temprature...

dojj

iTrader: (3)

You should measure the amount of gas you put in, notngonby the pressure it's running at

RS_Stevie

vac and weigh the charge in.............

Fst

You never know how much is left in the system. It has to be properly recovered to take everything out.

It goes off the weight of the gas liquid put in.

Pressure readings are inaccurate as they differ in temperature changes and at different altitudes.

R12 hasn't been used for years as well iirc think it's illegal to use it now as well.

v man

Sounds like that's been quoted from the Ellis training hand book