Aircon no gas

[nokiaman1978]

Hi all, was warm today and turned on a/c and it didn't make a difference if anything i thought the vents were cooler without it, when i got home parked up and turned a/c the revs dipped slightly and engine tone changed slightly and also heard the relay click, with engine turned off removed the black cap at offside of engine wich i think is for the air con and pressed the ball valve in with a long screwdriver, from what i have been told i would either get gas gushing out or a slow wimper of gas, but i got no gas what so ever totaly empty. The car is a 55 plate and i doubt it has ever been topped up, it is possible for the a/c to be completely depleted of gas after 5 year or is it a possible slow leak, tried to book into my local aircon today but were fully booked £35 for recharge + leak test+cleanout.

[RobW]

If its not been used then (AFAIK) it dries the seals and weeps out.

Need mine done too

[nokiaman1978]

take it the recharge will lubricate the seals and wont need to replace them.

[crespo]

Take it to quikfit. It is £25 for a recharge and if it does not work because of a leak there is no charge.
Ignore the anti quikfit jibes as it is done with a machine that a circus chimp could work so the quikfit doughnuts are more than capable of working it without damaging your car.

[Handyandy-UK]

Two most likely scenarios:

1 - Through lack of use over time the seals have dried and permitted the refrigerant to leak. Low pressure switch kicks in, prevents system from running as a protection measure.

2 - Through damage from stomes, road debris,road salts and other muck, fluff, dust and custard, the condenser has sustained damage permitting leakage of refrigerant. Low pressure switch kicks in, prevents system from running as a protection measure.

Sensible choices to remedy:

1 - Have system checked by a vehicle aircon specialist and act on their findings.

2 - Attend kwikFit (or similar), have them put the car on their automatic aircon tester and if the system passes the pressure tests it will regas, you pay around £45 and all is well.

3 - You strip and inspect the condenser yourself, replace if (probably) necessary, then attend a facilty as noted in 2, who can test and regas the system for you.

[nokiaman1978]

take it the recharge will lubricate the seals and wont need to replace them.

[nokiaman1978]

sorry, can a mod please remove.