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Original poster

Does your car air con work?

51 replies

TresDesolee · 27/08/2019 21:30

Bear with me, it’s another complaining about the weather thread... fifth hot day in a row here (SE England) and yet again my car air con is like a mouse breathing on me. Had to ferry DS2 around for a few appointments today and it was close to unbearable.

I have a 10yo, underpowered Skoda. My mechanic (who’s generally very good) swears he topped up the coolant when he did my MOT last month.

Is air con in cars a function of how expensive or powerful your car is? My dad has a (second hand) top of the range BMW and it’s like sitting in a fridge. My SIL’s Alfa Romeo sports car’s air con also worked like a dream when she gave us a lift the other day.

Do I have to change my car to get working air con? Or is it more likely there’s just something wrong with mine? It’s never been great but the last two summers have been ridiculously hot, i’m just wondering if my car’s unit just isn’t powerful enough to cope.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 27/08/2019 21:32

No expert here but is it possible it needs regassing. I only ask because somebody at work had it done for about £50.

fiorentina · 27/08/2019 21:33

You probably need to get it recharged? One of our cars it’s amazing, the other ok and that one probably needs recharging.

Branleuse · 27/08/2019 21:33

last two cars ive had, the aircon didnt work properly.
Dp got a new car (2nd hand) recently, and it was such a joy to have working aircon - and now, a few weeks later, the aircon has stopped working....

fiorentina · 27/08/2019 21:33

By recharging I meant regassing..

coconuttelegraph · 27/08/2019 21:34

Do car air cons work on coo!ant? Mine doesn't work but that's because I haven't had it re-gassed, I don't use it enough to bother. Could yours need that?

Jesse70 · 27/08/2019 21:35

Yeah I have a ford and the air-conditioning is brilliant definitely something up with yours

Jesse70 · 27/08/2019 21:35

Use it or lose it I was always told lol

Letsnotargue · 27/08/2019 21:35

It could also be the condenser. I had mine regassed and it made no difference. A new condenser later and it’s good as new.
Certainly not cheap though...

Wellandtrulyoutnumbered · 27/08/2019 21:36

Coolant isn't the same as air con re-gassing.

Megan2018 · 27/08/2019 21:36

Mine is amazing, and the best bit is you can either time it to pre-cool (or heat) for departure or press a button on the key or app to start ore-cooling before you get to it. No more hot (or iced up) cars here. Absolutely marvellous. It is a BMW i3S (second EV I’ve had) Grin

BornInAThunderstorm · 27/08/2019 21:37

Engine coolant isn’t what cools your aircon, you probably need it regassing

Original poster
TresDesolee · 27/08/2019 21:37

Thanks. I asked the mechanic if he’d topped up the coolant so maybe I was asking for the wrong thing! I’ll get him to take a look (and then not use it until next June...)

OP posts:
CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 27/08/2019 21:39

Coolant is for your engine! Nothing to do with air con I don’t think - that’d be a separate service but probably worth paying for :)

Belindabelle · 27/08/2019 21:39

You need to get it re filled. Nothing to do with coolant. It’s a gas canister thing.

Original poster
TresDesolee · 27/08/2019 21:39

Ha Megan i’m envious! My dad’s car is great (although it’s an absolute beast, i’d never be able to park it)

Sounds like it’s definitely a case of me asking for the wrong thing then - I really must learn how cars work

OP posts:
Dontstepinthecowpat · 27/08/2019 21:40

Mechanic’s won’t top up air con for MOT, it costs around £45

happytoday73 · 27/08/2019 21:40

I had mine regassed last summer.. Still doesn't work. Same with previous car... Same manufacturer... Very annoying

Thefemalekeithrichards · 27/08/2019 21:40

I had mine regassed and serviced in May...it had stopped completely as it hadnt been used even last summer (probably lastnused summer 2016?) the chap at the garage said if it isn’t used the pump seizes up and it’s reccomended to run it for five minutes every two weeks regardless of weather (could be a bit uncomfortable in winter though) but this keeps the airocon unit functioning, mine hadn’t seized up luckily, they also recommend a routine re-gas but I’m not sure of the frequency. (probably annually depending on usage) Mines like a brilliant icy blast now (not new Japanese car) ❄️

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 27/08/2019 21:41

Mines a 10 year old Vauxhall and does 0 to 60 in about half an hour. Not a powerful engine by any stretch of the imagination but the heater and air con is a beast. I think it's more likely to be something wrong with it.

confusedjuly2019 · 27/08/2019 21:41

You probably need a new AC condenser. Because of where they are situated (I'm reliably informed) they get corroded by road salt over several years. Cost me £300, car was 6 years old.

Andonandonan · 27/08/2019 21:42

Yep just get it regassed (doesn’t cost loads - £40-50) & it will probably work loads better.

I have an ancient Ford & needed to do this a couple of years ago but it works perfectly now.

Teacakeandalatte · 27/08/2019 21:42

My dh is obsessed that the AC uses loads of extra fuel and is really expensive to use. Does anyone know is he correct?

Rockbird · 27/08/2019 21:43

Mine had stopped but had it regassed about a month ago and it's fab. DH's car is a 57 plate focus and it's like the Antarctic. I fight him for the older car in this weather!

SleepyKat · 27/08/2019 21:43

Yep, 10 yo Ford. Never had it regassed.

BentNeckLady · 27/08/2019 21:46

I read you need to run the AC every so often all year round or the seals dry out and the gas escapes. I’ve had 6 skoda and the AC always seems to work well. As PP have said you probably jus5 need it re gassing.