Board logo

Air con Recharge kits
Scoobythedog - 31/5/09 at 04:02 PM

As title, are they any good ?

Its for a ford focus, as its a bit warm these days.

Scooby


zilspeed - 31/5/09 at 04:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Scoobythedog
As title, are they any good ?

Its for a ford focus, as its a bit warm these days.

Scooby


I looked into these.

You have no real way of testing the system other than chucking in the refirgerant and seeing what happens.

If you go to kwik fit, they vacuum down the system and test if it holds the vaccum.
If it passes this test, they fill it.
If the temperature at the vents doesn't come down by at least 10% , you don't get charged.

Seems very fair to me.

£45 I understand .
Maybe £25 or so for a DIY canister ?

Not a choice for me, I have to say.


Dangle_kt - 31/5/09 at 04:12 PM

I went to kwikfit or somewhere similar last year with the SWMBOmobile. It got pressure tested, they filled it up, and bingo freezing aircon. Great I thought.



Started the car the next day to show the mrs how chilly it was, and how good I am to her, to be greated by a funy smell as I opened the door and tempid aircon.

I think I had a leak and the buggers filled it up anyway.

As it was only £40 and the place was a good hours drive away, I put it down to experience!

[Edited on 31/5/09 by Dangle_kt]


Howlor - 31/5/09 at 05:09 PM

I used it on the wife's Leon. I checked for existing pressure first by blipping the fill nipple and it was obviously holding some pressure so I assumed I didn't have a major leak so filled it up.

Worked a treat, far better than I had ever anticipated.

Steve


Macbeast - 31/5/09 at 05:26 PM

I had my Focus done at Halfords last year. You buy the kit and they will fill it for you. No test. The guy took ages to find the filling point on this, the rarest of cars,. He said he wasn't sure if it had completely topped up .

There was an improvement but it didn't last.

Maybe try Quickfit this year.


splitrivet - 31/5/09 at 05:54 PM

You need to run your aircon for 20 mins a week come hail or shine to keep the shaft seal lubed, this is the main point where leaks occur.
Cheers,
Bob


spaximus - 31/5/09 at 06:01 PM

if your system just wants topping up they are great, easy to use no mess. If however there is a fault it will not fix that, and niether will the Kwik fit operation. Most air con repairs are caused by lack of use or damage to the condensor radiator at the front.
The best to use is Artic Freeze.


evanschris - 31/5/09 at 07:29 PM

Could be wrong but I thought if you were handling refridgerant you had to be qualified in some way?


DorsetStrider - 31/5/09 at 09:02 PM

You do have to be qualified now. The DIY disposable type bottles are only legal if they have a First Filled date on them pre Dec 2007.

The EPA are currently investogating several national retail outlets (halfords?) for breach of the Enviromentla Protection Act for continuing to use and distribute these bottles.

I have this direct from the horses mouth.


wilkingj - 1/6/09 at 07:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DorsetStrider
You do have to be qualified now.

The EPA are currently investogating several national retail outlets (halfords?) for breach of the Enviromentla Protection Act for continuing to use and distribute these bottles.




I'm going to rush out at lunchtime and buy a few! Damn rules and reg people...