Car D.I.Y.

[Fastpedaller]

They have to do a vacuum anyway to purge any unwanted or atmospheric gases prior to refill.

That would certainly make sense as it makes it easier to add the refrigerant or the pressure has to be raised more.

 

[DRM]

They said they did a vacuum test (which it passed) before adding the refrigerant. I query whether that shows anything because any seals (eg o rings) will be moving in the opposite way in a vacuum compared to when they are pressurised (if you get my drift)

I hope it got a splash of oil in too as well as gas, on all my vehicles the air con stays on all year round, as gas constantly circulating with the oil content keeps everything lubed correctly

 

[screenman]

They said they did a vacuum test (which it passed) before adding the refrigerant. I query whether that shows anything because any seals (eg o rings) will be moving in the opposite way in a vacuum compared to when they are pressurised (if you get my drift)

It is a sealed unit, if it needed filling it has a leak, 53 years in the motor trade and I dislike cowboys.

 

[Drago]

I hope it got a splash of oil in too as well as gas, on all my vehicles the air con stays on all year round, as gas constantly circulating with the oil content keeps everything lubed correctly

Indeed, the oil also conditions the seals and prevents them drying out and shrinking.

 

[screenman]

I do not have my aircon on all the time, but it certainly is on a few times each week.

 

[Fastpedaller]

It is a sealed unit, if it needed filling it has a leak, 53 years in the motor trade and I dislike cowboys.

I've seen reports ("scare reports" to get us to have regular checks?) stating the gas decreases by 10 % per annum even with no major leaks (small molecule leakage expected). Getting any idea of how to progress and approximate cost from Ford main dealer and also the garage that refilled the refrigerant gave me no confidence - Answers of 'a compressor is expensive, maybe £400' didn't fill me with confidence.

We live in rural Norfolk and finding 'experts' is difficult. To give an example, when Ethanol was added to petrol I asked a 'respected tuning garage' who prep cars using a rolling road and cars for track work if they had any J30 R9 ethanol resistant fuel hose for my kit car. They produced some 8mm hose with no markings on and asked why I wanted it to be Ethanol resistant! I said about the 'latest petrol' destroying hoses, and their response was "we've never had any trouble with this hose - it will be fine. Clearly no idea. I got it mail order from Car Builder Solutions (Fantastic service and knowledge). Strangely the only shop or factor locally with knowledge was the Motor spares and cycles shop, they didn't stock it, but at least they knew of it and the problems of ethanol.

 

[Drago]

I do not have my aircon on all the time, but it certainly is on a few times each week.

Same as me. A good 10 minutes a week, and when my testicles have shrivelled up inside me I know it's been in long enough,

 

[Gunk]

Good practice is to leave it on, Merc years ago had an economy button instead of A/c on/off, you were encouraged to leave it on permanently.

 

[gbb]

Good practice is to leave it on, Merc years ago had an economy button instead of A/c on/off, you were encouraged to leave it on permanently.

My mazda has an eco aircon button but, I've never actually looked at what it meant. Perhaps really ought.

Personally, I rarely ever ever use aircon, while others will tell you it makes virtually no difference to fuel consumption, mine always has. I drive for economy, know quite well what the car will achieve, aircon always increases consumption in my case.
That said, all my cars from the 70s 80s and probably the 90s never had it so I just never felt the need.
I will run it occasionally but that's all, just to try to keep it in some kind of working order.

 

[screenman]

My mazda has an eco aircon button but, I've never actually looked at what it meant. Perhaps really ought.

Personally, I rarely ever ever use aircon, while others will tell you it makes virtually no difference to fuel consumption, mine always has. I drive for economy, know quite well what the car will achieve, aircon always increases consumption in my case.
That said, all my cars from the 70s 80s and probably the 90s never had it so I just never felt the need.
I will run it occasionally but that's all, just to try to keep it in some kind of working order.

That button makes the car slightly more economical, so you may be interested in using it.

 

[screenman]

Good practice is to leave it on, Merc years ago had an economy button instead of A/c on/off, you were encouraged to leave it on permanently.

VW the same.

 

[screenman]

Same as me. A good 10 minutes a week, and when my testicles have shrivelled up inside me I know it's been in long enough,

I use mine in the winter, it helps defrost and dry out the car faster.

 

[DRM]

I use mine in the winter, it helps defrost and dry out the car faster.

That’s spot on, as the air is dried it gets rid of condensation a lot quicker

 

[screenman]

That’s spot on, as the air is dried it gets rid of condensation a lot quicker

Absolutely, I am suprised more people do not do the same.

 

[midlife]

My Impreza automatically shut off the aircon if it thought you needed more BHP during spirited driving. Added an extra 4 BHP apparently.