Car mechanics out there ...

[Gritt23]

How big a problem is a failing air conditioning system in your car?

My knowledge stretches to how to drive the thing, and I class putting petrol in as "maintenance". With help from a book I found in teh glove box, I can stretch as far as opening the bonnet and checking the oil, even putting more in if necessary. But that is literally it.

I checked the little handbook thingy for "What to do when it's fecking hot, and the car doesn't cool down" but I couldn't find anything.

Is this;

A) something I could remedy myself.
B) a simple fix for any old garage.
C) a specialist job which only a few garages do ... it'll cost BIG.

I honestly have no idea, and the sheer heat exhaustion from the last week is not helping my ability to think.

 

[theonesmith]

It may need to be regassed? Which is something Halfords do for like £50? I think.. Otherwise it's not a problem to the car, just an inconvenience for you

 

[Gritt23]

Otherwise it's not a problem to the car, just an inconvenience for you

You don't say! Back end of last week I was sweating like a peado in Mothercare.

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Why were you driving in Mothercare? Sound a little dangerous to me...

Oh, hold on...

 

[Giraffe]

Did you watch top gear last night. They survived up to the early 60's C.

 

[Skint Gull]

New Air Con unit for my old Saab last year was £450+VAT! Fingers crossed it just neds re-gassing

 

[Arthritic Toe]

Its usually quite pricey. There are 3 main bits I think, compressor, condensor and... something else. All expensive, but you could maybe find the part (once its been diagnosed) at a scrappy. Topping up the freeon is only ever a temp fix as there will be a leak. Worth checking the drive belt though (the fan-belt type thing driving the compressor) - just make sure its still there! (sometimes its an additional belt to the one that drives the alternator, water pump etc).

 

[theonesmith]

You don't say! Back end of last week I was sweating like a peado in Mothercare.

Get the windows down and open up the sunroof!

 

[backson]

Check your fuse first.

That's what happened with mine a couple of months ago, and was about to pay out on getting it re-gassed, when a chance remark from my brother prompted me to check the fuse, which indeed had blown.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Have you tried swit ........................ hang on - wrong thread.

 

[Hannibal smith]

Chances are it just needs to be re-gassed. My car is 5 years old and I had my done for the first time yesterday. If your car is similar age it’s a fair bet it’s the same problem.

I suggest booking it in at Kwik fit. It’s a money back guarantee if they can’t make the air cooler. In other words if the problem is not the gas they won’t charge you. It was only £45 quid but they helpfully gave me a 20% off voucher after I had paid. Send me a PM and I’ll stick it in the post if you want. Unless you know a mechanic you won’t get cheaper then £36 from my (admittedly limited, 2 minutes on Google) research.

 

[phoenix]

setyres (re-gass) do it for £39.95 if it is not ice cold no charge.

 

[happypig]

New Air Con unit for my old Saab last year was £450+VAT! Fingers crossed it just neds re-gassing

fekkin saabs.

My 9000 had to have new condenser, didn't see a lot of change from 300 (plus regassing etc)

 

[Skint Gull]

fekkin saabs.

Hence why i sold it and got a brand new Alfa, if and when it does go wrong i'm not left with random £500 bills!

 

[upthealbion1970]

hi, there's a guy called israel who will come to you, for £37 he'll drain, leak test, lubricate and re-gas your air-con system. don't try it yourself, its a specialised job and you could well damage it if you try a bit of diy!!

07711679343
good luck

 

[upthealbion1970]

and DON'T under any circumstances take it to kwik fit, unless you want to be told you need new tyres brakes shocks and battery!

 

[Gritt23]

and DON'T under any circumstances take it to kwik fit, unless you want to be told you need new tyres brakes shocks and battery!

That's the plan, Kwik Fit.

"You want tyre, brakes, and shocks mate. Oh and you want your tyres re-alligned."

"Bollocks to that, I just wanna stop sweating like Gary Glitter in PC World thanks."