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Air conditioning re-gas

JimX

By JimX,
in General Maintenance

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JimX Grand Master

JimX

Posted
Posted

My air con struggles to get the car cold when the temp hits the mid 30's or so. Like if it's a hot day and the car is in the sun, it'll take forever to get the car cool. Well, maybe 15 minutes or more? I've never timed it although I probably should. But when the temperature isn't as severe, the air coming out is pretty cool and it doesn't take long to cool the car down.

I've spoken to a few people and they seem to think that this isn't right and that the air conditioning needs a re-gas. I know it's not fully out of gas by a long shot, but I'm basically just wondering if it does really need a re-gas, or if it's just that the modern refrigerant is inferior to the old CFC stuff and taking a very long time to cool the car down on a hot day is normal and acceptable?

I've also heard that they generally need re-gassing every couple of years regardless. If so I'd say it's overdue anyway.

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sewid Grand Master

sewid

Posted
Posted

I have just had my aircon regassed and the air coming out of the vents is at -3 degrees C.

It still takes a while to cool the car down on a really hot day. If the car has been in the sun and the interior is all hot then it can take 5 - 10 minutes before its down to cool (about 25 degrees).

Get a temp probe and stick it a fair way into the centre vent. Run the aircon on 18 degrees (or F/C) with full fan in the shade. What does your temp probe say?

JimX Grand Master

JimX

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  • Author
Posted

I'll check it tonight with my digital thermometer, but I'm 99% sure it's well above -3 degrees. I set it to 18 degrees to check yesterday and it was cool but not cold to touch.

I'm sure it would still normally take several minutes to cool down if the car had been sitting in the sun. But I went up the coast over Christmas, and after stopping at a servo for less than 5 minutes in a cool car the aircon had to work its arse off for at *least* 15 minutes to get it cool again, probably more.

I'll check the temps but I'm pretty sure it needs re-gassing if yours is -3. Man, -3 is colder than my freezer! (which also needs a re-gas)

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
Posted

regas.. yeah, the air gets warmer and warmer until eventually its not cold at all. I've had it happen on an old car.

Apparently there is a gas u can use which is compatible with the system and also "ozone friendly" or whatever. It was covered in a previous thread. Couple of hundred bucks i think.

siksII Grand Master

siksII

Posted
Posted
did you chk the little glass hole thingy on the compressor?  its supposed to tell you whether you are outa gas anot i thk....

thats right, but how do you inspect it? how do u know by looking at it if there is gas? i was just wondering about this yesterday :headspin:

Genesis® Grand Master

Genesis®

Posted
Posted

something to do with the colour i thk but the theory works for all compressor. run a search on the net or ask your local aircon mechanic.

in the meantime, i will be doing a search myself. my a/c is working fine but its better to be safe and sorry.

Genesis® Grand Master

Genesis®

Posted
Posted

ok... here's wat i found... dun quote me on it though

http://www.bba-reman.com/aircon.htm

and taken from another forum

The little glass topped device just in front of the radiator on the passenger side is the refrigerant flow indicator. If the system is up to pressure you should only see bubbles flow passed window when the compressor cuts in and out and then it should only be for a second or so. If the system is low on pressure the refrigerant will stay as a liquid, the compressor should take it over the threshold to a gas.

Here endeth the first lesson. :P

hope this helps

kjb_r33 Experienced

kjb_r33

Posted
Posted

The sight glass doesnt really tell you anything with R134A, as it did with R12.

With the air con running, check the temp of the pipe running through the firewall, it should be around 0 degrees. Vent temps should be around 3-5 degrees. Does the compressor cycle in and out, or does it stay off for long periods?

JimX Grand Master

JimX

Posted
  • Author
Posted
hey siksII,

where do you get those regas' done as they seem well priced. i've had quotes closer to $200

I got quoted $99 from my local mechanic :) BG Automotive in Meadowbank if anyone's interested. They don't specialise in Skylines, but they do know imports pretty well all things considered. These are the guys that repaired my rear-end accident from one and a half years ago, and they had no problems sourcing all the parts needed.

siksII Grand Master

siksII

Posted
Posted

yeah 15 degrees must suck.. i used mine all weekend (1000kms) and it was working beautifully :(

My dad got quoted from a place that he was sent to by our mechanic, the mechanic is Lambs rd auto repairs in artarmon... so if you call them you could get a good price in case you live in the north.

sewid Grand Master

sewid

Posted
Posted

Crazy. 15 degrees! I cleaned the in cabin temp sensor on saturday and reconnected the air-hose to the dash fascia (the hose connects to the small vent which is just left of the steering column on the dash, the temp sensor lives inside this vent) and the air-con is working even better/colder now. The air coming out of it is so f'ing cold i have to face it away from me or ill get frost bite.

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