[swedishandgerman]

Here's a recommendation based on how many posts there have been on this forum about air con recently...

I appreciate this is probably only useful to anyone in the South West, but I have a really good Air Con Specialist who I thoroughly recommend who I got in touch with on a good recommendation from a technician at my local Porsche dealership

Rob Lane Air Conditioning - a mobile air con specialist who works from his van. A really friendly and honest guy based in Honiton. 07754 795853

Here's what he charged/quoted me:

To come to me and diagnose my system (pressurise with nitrogen + dye + leak test of all components) - £25

De-gas + Re-gas (incl dye and oil) - £60 (knocking off the cost off diagnosis)

All the above + replace condenser - £180. BTW, he mentioned that this is often a problem on these cars as the condensor is so low at the front and is susceptible to damage

Diagnosis + new compressor, fiting, oil, dye, seal and recharge: £280 or £405 for a genuine Volvo part

Unfortunately, mine was the latter. But at these prices, I'm not complaining!

As a note, he cringes at the prospect of people getting their cars done at the likes of Kwik-fit for £40 or £50. He told me that it's fine if all is good with your system and it is, by luck, going to hold a charge. However, if there's a leak that is not completely noticable, you're likely to pay your £50 and it's all leaked out by the winter! This happened to me... Also, there are 2 taps these cars: 1 completely apparent, the other down by the side of the engine. The lower one had never been undone. At the back of my mind, I'm wondering if the Kwik-fit boys provided me with an air lock which has resulted in me ruining my compressor. But who can tell?! It was OK-ish (cold enough) before I took it there, but was tempted by the £39 offer advertised last year

As it happens, 2 of my colleagues booked him to come back and sort their Golfs out while he was here working on my Volvo and I hope he gets some more work by me telling you guys!