Air con in a can?

**Johnsdutton** · 9th April 2012, 17:40

Came across this, what are your opinions is it good or bad. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...$ja=tsid:35814

**6009tristanb** · 9th April 2012, 17:48

you can get it done with the proper machine for that price and at least you know its all full with clean stuff not just topping up the old stuff

**Johnsdutton** · 9th April 2012, 17:52

Yeah I know, just that I had never seen anything like this before. I would have thought with all the regulations covering refrigerants, CFC'S etc, you would only be able to get aircon re-gassed by specialists.

**Handyandy-UK** · 9th April 2012, 18:05

It's a product that's been covered many times on here and other sites, and the general upshot of it all tends to be 'don't touch it'.

The shortened version of all the arguments is that by using one of these on your system you are adding to a system that is of unknown condition. So you're either over or underfilling a system designed to work within set limits.

If your aircon doesn't seem to be working your best option is to use a vehicle aircon specialist.

Your best 'good bet' in DIY terms would be to replace the condensor (most common point of damage/system pressure loss) then get a refill either from a specialist or a Kwik-Fit type offer.

**lee gsi** · 9th April 2012, 18:12

You can over fill a system and the fluid just sits at the bottom of the condenser or if your unlucky over fills the compressor and blows the seals.

I am surprised they are allowed to sell it as your meant to have a 'Gas Handling Certificate' to touch the aircon system.

**Johnsdutton** · 9th April 2012, 18:17

Originally Posted by lee gsi

I am surprised they are allowed to sell it as your meant to have a 'Gas Handling Certificate' to touch the aircon system.

That is what I always thought.

**Ben50n** · 9th April 2012, 18:26

Go to Kwick Fit, its £49, they discharge your system and then pressure check for leaks and then refill with fresh gas.

They can also add fluoro dyes etc to help find leaks etc.

The system they use is idiot proof.

**6009tristanb** · 9th April 2012, 18:31

Originally Posted by Ben50n

Go to Kwick Fit, its £49, they discharge your system and then pressure check for leaks and then refill with fresh gas.

They can also add fluoro dyes etc to help find leaks etc.

The system they use is idiot proof.

thats who ive used for aircon but they did mess it up on my bmw their machine detected a leak but their was no leak i took it to another place and they told me when their emptying the aircon small pockets of ice form inside and when they melt the kwickfit system thinks its a leak and will not fill it back up

but i didnt get charged for it so will use them again as other cars ive had have worked fine by them

**alcutler** · 9th April 2012, 20:51

I wouldn't trust Halfords with anything as technical as Air Con - I went yesterday and watched the YTS lad trying to replace a womans front headlamp bulb outside Halfords store - he was still there an hour later with a load of engine parts, air filter box, etc on the floor in front of the car. Its not the lads fault but should they be dismantling your car without any sort of qualification/training?