air con

[the_wave_rider]

How were you going to vac it out and weigh the correct amount in? Too much gas is worse than not enough.

You buy a kit with a gauge on it that indicates when you have enough in the system along with the port connections. Very simple really when the gauge reaches the required status which I think is yellow that means the system is at the desired pressure. No different to charging up nitrogen accumulators we do at work

[the_wave_rider]

That'll be why it's not working.

You need to run it regularly (even in winter). Along with gas in the system, there is also oil which helps to lubricate rubber seals. If you don't use it, the oil doesn't get circulated around the system and the seals dry out and perish.

In short, if you've got AC - use it or lose it. It also makes for a good demister - another reason to use it in winter in conjunction with the heater, just like climate control systems do.

As to the original question, my car is coming up to 5 yrs old and the AC system has never been worked on and still blows icy cold air. Most probably helped by being used every time I use the car.

It gets turned on once a month by me and every year is cleaned just I personally do not like AC but I know the gf uses it when she drives the car

[crispy007]

Never really use mone but switched it on the other day and no cold air. Any suggestions for the best place to have it done? Was going to do it myself

if its not under any warrenty ive been told kwik fit is the cheapest

[crispy007]

I have just had the same thingon my 2 yr old vec, was told £60 for regas but if it leaked and was an item under warranty i would get money back. Turned out to be the condensor and got changed under warranty.

ive been told the same but as yet it was regassed wed last week and is still ok i wish it would leak/break then i can get it fixed foc under warranty and get my £75 refund

[m8internet]

On all my cars, I leave the air con switch in the on position
In cold temperatures it will switch off

Leaving it off between September and March will pretty much prematurely kill the system

I've never had any problems, although on my previous Vectra B the gas was replaced, only to find the pump fail a few weeks later

[crispy007]

yes i have to be honest it was not used from october when i bought it to 2 weeks ago its ok now but i will have to see how long it lasts

[Big-Pete]

Moved to the HVAC section...