How long before air-con re-gas?

ginandtonic · 08-08-2006, 14:10

Hi,

My 5-year old RS was recently in to the dealer as the climatronic was not blowing any cold air. Turned out that there was little or no pressure in the system, so after refilling with new refrigerant everything is now back to normal.

Is 5 years about average for needing the air-con system re-gassed? Or should it have lasted longer?

The dealer also said something which didn't sound quite right to me (quoting as accurately as I can): "Oh, it's normal for the gas to get used up by running the air-conditioning. We've had customers who run their air-con all the time use up all their gas in only 2 years".

It's a pressurised, sealed system. The gas shouldn't get "used up", unless my understanding is way off. The gas will gradually leak out (I've seen leakages rates quoted of around 10% per year), and not using the car or the air-con may cause premature leakage as the refrigerant carries the lubricating oil to the compressor seals. But to claim that normal usage should "use up" your refrigerant sounds quite wacky - especially from a (supposedly) reputable franchised Skoda dealer...

David.

Mort · 08-08-2006, 14:13

My dealer has a little notice in a frame saying "Did you know" apparently after one year the air-con can be 85% effective and after two can be 60% effective.

Not quite fantastic advertising for Skoda, but I suppose effective for their £85 air-con servicing service.

I think mine needs doing and thats hitting 3 years with minimal air-con use.

ScoobyChris · 08-08-2006, 14:15

The air con specialists I've used usually recommend every 3 years if it's used continuously, or more frequently if it's only switched on occasionally. I don't know whether that's to keep them in business or if it's genuinely required. My Mondeo is just over 4 years old and the air con is still uncomfortably cold

Chris

ScoobyChris · 08-08-2006, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mort

I think mine needs doing and thats hitting 3 years with minimal air-con use.

That's because the less you use it, the more likely leaks are to develop through lack of the lubricating oil being circulated. Probably not such a big deal on the Fabia as the air con is always on, but worth bearing in mind

Chris

Mort · 08-08-2006, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobyChris

That's because the less you use it, the more likely leaks are to develop through lack of the lubricating oil being circulated. Probably not such a big deal on the Fabia as the air con is always on, but worth bearing in mind

Chris

I find I use it lots when its hot and not a lot when it's cold. Due to the whole summer/winter thing that makes half a year of not much use

spiggotpaddy · 08-08-2006, 16:44

i rang the main skoda dealer in my area where i bought my tavia and asked about a re-gas. they said they would'nt have anything to do with the air-con system and it was a job for a specialist.typical irish service.

***DGW*** · 08-08-2006, 16:54

I had mine done after 4 1/4 years. The system had lost around 25% of the refrigerant gas in that period.

gillywibble · 08-08-2006, 17:39

I tend to use mine just as much in the winter because air circulation prevents the screen misting up.

SUTTS · 08-08-2006, 18:05

I had mine done today at the dealer at (strangely) precisely three years old to the day. I guess I hadn't noticed that it was becoming gradually less effective over time until it failed completely on Saturday.

Cost for a re-gas, clean, filter change and check (it wasn't leaking) was £88. Now it's like walking into a freezer on 'LO'.

ric04vrs · 08-08-2006, 18:14

my fabia VRS lost approx 200grams of gas (should be 550g)over a 28 month period , so the figures quoted by the stealer of 60% effective after 2 years sound about right

musky · 08-08-2006, 19:49

has anybody tried one of these diy aircon refill kits from Halfrauds. Not sure if they are suitable but may try one on wifes Xsara (should cause a serious loss even if it doesn't work!)

ScoobyChris · 08-08-2006, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mort

I find I use it lots when its hot and not a lot when it's cold. Due to the whole summer/winter thing that makes half a year of not much use

Keeps the car cool in the summer, dries out the moisture in the car in the winter. I use mine all year round

Chris

AndyC · 08-08-2006, 20:43

Mines now over 7 years old and is still working, just. It blows cool air now rather than cold and wasn't that much use in the recent hot weather. Time for a regas.

AndyC

KenONeill · 09-08-2006, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobyChris

Keeps the car cool in the summer, dries out the moisture in the car in the winter. I use mine all year round

Chris

Exactly so. I've even managed to persuade my mum to use the air in her Sickbrick in winter to stop it steaming up.

Quetz VRS · 09-08-2006, 22:25

as with all things in life depends how much you use it

I have a contact that is a mobile unit, comes to you and charges £50, for me... maybe more for reg customers

But worth all checking around for a independant or non-dealer garage, you could save the extra cost the dealer charges to ensure they have that pretty carpet on the floor....lol

Q

PS:- I arranges it for a friends motor, as my felicia has natures air-con (i.e WINDOWS...lol)

MC Bodge · 10-08-2006, 09:49

Mine has lost a bit of gas, I reckon, although it was still adequate in the recent HOT weather.

cheezemonkhai · 10-08-2006, 12:58

I had mine regassed recently, but that was only because they don't do just an anti-bacterail flush out, and i was feeling really ill after being in the car with the a/c on.

It's a bit cooler, but i think the system was fine before hand apart from the bugs.

08-08-2006, 14:10	#1
ginandtonic Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 10 Members Car: Octavia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How long before air-con re-gas? Hi, My 5-year old RS was recently in to the dealer as the climatronic was not blowing any cold air. Turned out that there was little or no pressure in the system, so after refilling with new refrigerant everything is now back to normal. Is 5 years about average for needing the air-con system re-gassed? Or should it have lasted longer? The dealer also said something which didn't sound quite right to me (quoting as accurately as I can): "Oh, it's normal for the gas to get used up by running the air-conditioning. We've had customers who run their air-con all the time use up all their gas in only 2 years". It's a pressurised, sealed system. The gas shouldn't get "used up", unless my understanding is way off. The gas will gradually leak out (I've seen leakages rates quoted of around 10% per year), and not using the car or the air-con may cause premature leakage as the refrigerant carries the lubricating oil to the compressor seals. But to claim that normal usage should "use up" your refrigerant sounds quite wacky - especially from a (supposedly) reputable franchised Skoda dealer... David.

08-08-2006, 14:13	#2
Mort Broom Broom! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Derby, England Posts: 1,440 Members Car: Fabia vRS (red '03) Thanks: 9 Thanked 47 Times in 45 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? My dealer has a little notice in a frame saying "Did you know" apparently after one year the air-con can be 85% effective and after two can be 60% effective. Not quite fantastic advertising for Skoda, but I suppose effective for their £85 air-con servicing service. I think mine needs doing and thats hitting 3 years with minimal air-con use. __________________ Fabia v/RS, in Red. Green filter & Cupra Intake, TT brakes, Josh's Sumpguard, Jabba ARB, MOMO strut brace, Powdercoated alloys. KW v1's next...

08-08-2006, 14:15	#3
ScoobyChris Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Andover Posts: 18,198 Members Car: Fiat Panda Thanks: 15 Thanked 336 Times in 290 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? The air con specialists I've used usually recommend every 3 years if it's used continuously, or more frequently if it's only switched on occasionally. I don't know whether that's to keep them in business or if it's genuinely required. My Mondeo is just over 4 years old and the air con is still uncomfortably cold Chris __________________ Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

08-08-2006, 16:44	#6
spiggotpaddy Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: leinster Posts: 18 Members Car: 1.6 slx octy Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? i rang the main skoda dealer in my area where i bought my tavia and asked about a re-gas. they said they would'nt have anything to do with the air-con system and it was a job for a specialist.typical irish service.

08-08-2006, 16:54	#7
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,300 Members Car: Octavia 1.8T 4X4 Estate & Fabia vRS Thanks: 51 Thanked 208 Times in 157 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? I had mine done after 4 1/4 years. The system had lost around 25% of the refrigerant gas in that period. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

08-08-2006, 17:39	#8
gillywibble Cuthbert Dibble Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Watching Tom peeping at Lady Godiva. Posts: 7,198 Members Car: Octavia Elegance 2.0 Tdi Thanks: 231 Thanked 267 Times in 223 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? I tend to use mine just as much in the winter because air circulation prevents the screen misting up. __________________ I drink, therefore I spam.

08-08-2006, 18:05	#9
SUTTS Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Maidstone. Posts: 99 Members Car: 2003 silver Octavia vRS, 1967 Triumph Herald 1200 Convertible Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? I had mine done today at the dealer at (strangely) precisely three years old to the day. I guess I hadn't noticed that it was becoming gradually less effective over time until it failed completely on Saturday. Cost for a re-gas, clean, filter change and check (it wasn't leaking) was £88. Now it's like walking into a freezer on 'LO'. __________________ Ian. '03 Octavia v/RS. Jabba remap etc '03 Octavia L&K PD130 Estate.

08-08-2006, 18:14	#10
ric04vrs I parked up 1st Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: not near enough to the Ring Posts: 6,169 Members Car: silver Fabia VRS Thanks: 31 Thanked 188 Times in 182 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? my fabia VRS lost approx 200grams of gas (should be 550g)over a 28 month period , so the figures quoted by the stealer of 60% effective after 2 years sound about right __________________ not so bored now

08-08-2006, 19:49	#11
musky Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 543 Members Car: MK1 Octavia 4x4 Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? has anybody tried one of these diy aircon refill kits from Halfrauds. Not sure if they are suitable but may try one on wifes Xsara (should cause a serious loss even if it doesn't work!)

08-08-2006, 20:43	#13
AndyC who...? Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 415 Members Car: Thanks: 3 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? Mines now over 7 years old and is still working, just. It blows cool air now rather than cold and wasn't that much use in the recent hot weather. Time for a regas. AndyC __________________ 1999 Octavia 1.6 GLXi. Oldest one owner Octy on the forum. 2007 07 Fabia 2 1.2 in Silver. Briskoda's first new Fabia.

09-08-2006, 22:25	#15
Quetz VRS DisturbedMonkey Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In a mental home, whacked out on happy pills talking backwards with Einstein :D Posts: 262 Members Car: Skoda Fabia 1.4TDi Estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? as with all things in life depends how much you use it I have a contact that is a mobile unit, comes to you and charges £50, for me... maybe more for reg customers But worth all checking around for a independant or non-dealer garage, you could save the extra cost the dealer charges to ensure they have that pretty carpet on the floor....lol Q PS:- I arranges it for a friends motor, as my felicia has natures air-con (i.e WINDOWS...lol) __________________ Insanity is not an illness.... it's a way of life !! Last edited by Quetz VRS; 09-08-2006 at 22:27.

10-08-2006, 09:49	#16
MC Bodge Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North West England Posts: 899 Members Car: Octavia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? Mine has lost a bit of gas, I reckon, although it was still adequate in the recent HOT weather. __________________ Mk1 Octavia vRS. The thinking man's Hot Hatch. PS. Give Cyclists Room! We're quite vulnerable. If I can slap your window, you're too close

10-08-2006, 12:58	#17
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: How long before air-con re-gas? I had mine regassed recently, but that was only because they don't do just an anti-bacterail flush out, and i was feeling really ill after being in the car with the a/c on. It's a bit cooler, but i think the system was fine before hand apart from the bugs. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

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