Opinions on bothering with fixing air con or not

[firebeast]

Basically, had our 8v 1.9 for maybe 11 plus yrs, been really good in that time, but after not bothering with air con, I am now thinking about sorting it,,if I can do it cheaply enough
Ecp are quoting the condenser with dryer option, not the cheap £25 one and then a new separate dryer, but wondering if it's the same thing?
What I want opinions on please, is as its been unused for so long, is any of the other pars likely to work at all.. I know I can't check thr compressor without a re gas, but do they fail a lot due to lack of use?
Other than that, I haven't looked at the condenser but it's bound to be screwed by now?
Car is nearly 150k, original gearbox with fuchs oil in , but it's needing a new cambelt etc soon, probably waterpump as well, which was done last time at 75k. So I dotn really want to waste a fair chunk on the air con without a degree of certainty,, possibly, 🤔😆

[troutybrown]

For me anything that's on a car need's to work.

[firebeast]

For me anything that's on a car need's to work.

Everything else does and has worked tbh. Only thing lately is a tiny air leak getting in overnight, whicheans unless I do a full fuel prime, it doesn't fire up easily,, the rest of the day it fires fine, but it's been the same and hasn't got worse so no bothered on that.
Just want to know if the whole system if likely ******ed after so long inactive, or just new seals and condenser etc,, which I will fit myself.

[Jon1796]

Would put new condenser and seals on then get the system checked for leaks then go from there. You could regas yourself but if it’s leaking you wouldn’t find it…then you’ll have to get the dye to find hole/s. It’s gonna cost but.

[northpole]

mweh mine i just took mine in to get it refilled. It didn't work for 3 years in my ownership but i did notice there was still some pressure in the system... had it done 2 years ago and it needs a top up again... note i have no clue how long it was like that before i got the car, just had them test it and it held pressure so they just filled it... only cost was me paying for the refill. And the only reason i think it needs a top up is, it's not as quick in blowing icey cold air anymore it takes a few minute before it starts blowing icy cold air. when i just had it topped up it was almost immediate (well under a minute) icey cold air.

[JagRigger]

On a previous car, after an accident / rebuilt front, I got one of the self fill hoses and fitted a tyre valve so I could pressurise the system with air to 25psi to check for leaks with soapy water. THEN got it vacumed / charged

[Big Dave]

Most, if not all places that do AC refills do a free leak test as it's against the law to knowingly release AC gas into the atmosphere. If they fill a system and it leaks, then they're in trouble. Obviously this is for any significant leak and not something that takes a few weeks / months to leak out. But any reputable garage will also add a tracer dye that would show up any future leaks under UV light.

Groupon are currently offering an AC top up voucher to use at ATS branches for £41.99 instead of £62. Dearer if you have the newer gas, but the Vectra-C doesn't.

ATS Euromaster - Up To 32% Off | Groupon

[firebeast]

Appreciate the replies,as I know its not exactly a busy site like a good few years ago.. ��
I know one guy who works at local ats when I get tyres swopped by him ,, I like north poles idea, but as I am using it everyday, it's easier to get the test and go from there, will pmsl if it somehow holds pressure

[JagRigger]

My bet is it’ll lose pressure first time, but that’ll last be the seals and it’ll work on second fill

[JagRigger]

My bet is it’ll lose pressure first time, but that’ll likely lube the seals and it’ll work on second fill