I think I need a re-gas but not 100% sure. Basically, when the air con is running, it's not ice cold air that's coming out like it used to a few months ago.
I popped into Kwik Fit as they seem to be the only place that does air con near me. The manager said they check for leaks first and if it fails, then it will not attempt to regas the system and no few is payable. He said that the system won't engage if there is no gas in the system.
So basically - I need to take the chance on regassing and hope it cures it?

Air con was something I never delved into when I was an engineer, so I can't self-diagnose 2010 MY Vogue SE TDV8 3.6 Stornoway Grey- fully loaded

It is a common issue for the air con radiator panel to leak (it sits in front of the main radiator) and gets the stone damage first. If a re-gass does not keep the pressure up then it is either a leak in the pipes or the panel. Costs about £200 or so for a new one, and from what I read is a DIY job too. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

Are they right about the compressor not engaging if there is no gas in the system? I can sort of see the logic in that, as it probably acts as a lube and if there isn't anything in the lines, the compressor would burn out? 2010 MY Vogue SE TDV8 3.6 Stornoway Grey- fully loaded

Yes, the compressor won't engage if there is no gas. As Flashman it is most likely the condenser in front of the radiator that is leaking

I use a system called "EZ Chill" that's available from Halfords to check and top up my aircon.
They do the refrigerant and a trigger with a gauge on it. The gauge is important so that you don't over full the system.
First you check the system with the gauge, the gauge will tell you what pressure is in the Low pressure side of the system. If it's normal or high then leave well alone and take it to someone who knows what they're doing.
If it's low then you connect the can of refrigerant and top up the system until it reaches the correct pressure, all this is done with the engine running and the aircon turned on.

If the system stops working again, just check with the gauge and if it's lost pressure again then you've got a leak somewhere. 

As your car is 10 years old the chances are the refrigerant has slowly leaked away over the years thro the seals. It's likely a regass would solve the problem for you.
Some people think it is normal to regass an ac system every year, a notion I don't subscribe to. My last car wasn't regassed for 13 years and could achieve 5C at the air outlets.
It is the case that if the system is low on gas the compressor wont engage due to low gas pressure.
If you get it regassed ask for a leak inhibitor and a leak trace to be added at the same time.
If you take it to Kwik fit and it won't hold vacuum on test, you have a leak somewhere other than the seals.

Last edited by nicedayforit on 24th Aug 2012 10:19am. Edited 1 time in total

my condenser went that way noddy, replaced it and re-gassed and all is well..thread here somewhere on it.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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I like the sound of that EZ Chill. Might try it.
I just don't trust garages to do the work. Kwik Fit want £49.99 and I've heard they're not great at doing it. 2010 MY Vogue SE TDV8 3.6 Stornoway Grey- fully loaded

I had the same problem last summer on my Td6 - lack of use over the winter. A simple re - gas sorted it. It looks like fifty quid is the going rate ?

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Had mine re-gassed in March for free

Go on.... 2010 MY Vogue SE TDV8 3.6 Stornoway Grey- fully loaded

Pay for two get the third one free

£40.00 per vehicle and proper kit used, old gas out and vacuum checked for leaks, new gas and correct amount of oil in

Last edited by 47p2 on 24th Aug 2012 11:54am. Edited 1 time in total

specialist garages are your best bet, they test with ultra violet lights to find the leak ... ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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I had a similar issue witht he A/C not blowing cold (absolute disaster for last weekend's heat wave). I took it to the local guys who put it onto their machine for a regas and said exactly what they told you Noddy ... An hour later (and depsite the machine having gone through the leak test prcedure) we noticed that it had stopped regassing - they said the machine would have detected that the pressure wasn't being maintained on regassing (although we could hear the compressor going on a test) and therefore stopped. No money taken as it didn't feel

I was having an ABS sensor replaced (finally got rid of the HDC Failure ) so got them to have a look - apparently there was a leak from one of the pipe joints - fixed it for free and a £50 regas has sorted it out ... am back to arctic temperatures just in time for the Big Chill Bank Holiday Weekend! Grrrr ... African Bush Junkie ... in London!

Stats:
2006 TD6 Vogue SE
1972-2015 DeRanged Rover
2001 P38 dHSE (SOLD)

Thought mine wasnt working right, then notices that the vent temp control (not the climate knob) was set to warm, set to cold and was all good.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial