Engine: D5: AC dyi recharge

[constantin0]

I just topped up my AC recently using a halfords can and I was surprised with the result. Is there any reason not to do that every year?

Also, I found this on ebay (12kg cylinder): http://r.ebay.com/ws3gFW
Is it possible to use this to top up the AC at home when needed? (what connectors/equipment do I need?)

[martinrpeachey]

Professional servicing is in another league than simply topping it up.
A full service empties the system and removes the old lubricant and any water that will inevitably make it's way in there. It also leak checks the system and fills with the correct proportions of refrigerant and lube.

Topping the system up is just that - topping it up. although it will work, I would personally use it to save me getting it serviced every year. Service one year, top up the next.

Dunno about your home AC tho.

[XC70Bob]

Originally Posted by constantin0

I just topped up my AC recently using a halfords can and I was surprised with the result. Is there any reason not to do that every year?

Also, I found this on ebay (12kg cylinder): http://r.ebay.com/ws3gFW
Is it possible to use this to top up the AC at home when needed? (what connectors/equipment do I need?)

To do the job properly you would need.
set of service gauges and assorted hoses, refrigerant pump, empty cylinder for recovered refrigerant, vac pump and scales, oil injector and correct oil.

and to be legal a "Safe handling Refrigerants (J11-f gas cat1) license".

and the the training to use all of the above safely.

[V1per]

Used them before and they are good for a quick topup but your aircon needs a proper service from time to time - to drain the old gas and oil and replace it with a nice and fresh one.Just like the oil in your engine - you can't just rely on topping it up
Short term they are a very good solution but wouldn't run on just that.

[blueacid]

Kwik Fit are quite good in this regard; they will do a full regas for a flat fee of £50. Since the Volvo needs a fair charge of refrigerant (1.2KG I think - the actual number's in the handbook), this £50 fee barely covers the gas.

If you're also in doubt about a failed system, as I was with mine, they only charge the £50 if their automatic machine was satisfied that the system had not detected any leaks and injects new gas. So if you're worried that, say, your condenser has damage which makes it leak you can take the car for the regas and their machine will remove old lubricant and any gas, perform a pressure test and then regas if it's satisfied that the system doesn't leak. If it isn't satisfied, no gas and no cost to you.

My A/C wasn't working at all, so I took the view that if the system was like a sieve I'd pay nothing to find that out. To my surprise it regassed okay and it is still working now a few months later. Result.

[stephenevans99]

Don't let anyone convince you the cost of R134a is expensive.....a P2 taking 1000g of refrigerant costs about £7. Round it up to £8 if you factor in the cost of PAG oil and UV dye.

[blueacid]

Originally Posted by stephenevans99

Don't let anyone convince you the cost of R134a is expensive.....a P2 taking 1000g of refrigerant costs about £7. Round it up to £8 if you factor in the cost of PAG oil and UV dye.

Is it really only that cheap? Well I've been had.

[insbruck1]

Originally Posted by blueacid

Is it really only that cheap? Well I've been had.

Yes that is a bang on price for a kilo of gas. On average the oil change and gas may hit £10

[stephenevans99]

Originally Posted by blueacid

Is it really only that cheap? Well I've been had.

I would'nt say you've been had, you've paid for a professional service using their expensive equipment. £50 is a decent price.

[billtomo]

I had mine done at ATS for £29 ,is there cheaper?