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Original poster

Aircon in old car totally knackered-Work arounds?!

26 replies

Pompompurin1 · 30/04/2025 12:37

Hello everyone, I have a 12 year-old Vauxhall Zafira tourer that is mechanically sound and has been well maintained… But even in good condition it’s only worth £1800! The air-conditioning has completely gone… I have a very trustworthy local garage, who have quoted me around £900 including VAT for the compressor to be replaced as well as labour (apparently they have to take most the car apart due to the position of the compressor). It’s not worth it is it!

I always said when it got to this point I would get a new car, but I don’t think I can afford it!! at the moment ….my children are using little handheld USB charged fans but it’s a pain in the arse having to charge them and to be honest they are still sweltering in the car at the moment… Obviously we put the windows down…

Does anybody know of a separate aircon type unit that you can maybe put on the car dashboard? 😬

OP posts:
BoyDoIMissSecrets · 30/04/2025 15:00

I’ve just googled, because not sure if I just need a re-gas or if mine is broken, and 12v portable air cons that you plug into the cigaret lighter are a thing, but seem to have less than brilliant reviews unfortunately.

noblegiraffe · 30/04/2025 15:12

I have exactly the same issue!

I’m going with driving with the windows down, putting the blowers on even if the AC isn’t working and suffering.

bumblebee1000 · 30/04/2025 15:17

The compressor is the most expensive part and fiddly to get to...most people dont realise that you should run the air con for a bit all year as the rubber seals need lubricating from the fluid...hence leaks and regassing needed.

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JDM625 · 30/04/2025 15:21

Our car is older than yours and worth £150 according to 'buy my car' 😂

We haven't had working air con or heating for years! We open the windows in the summer and have rugs in the winter. Simple, old school solution.

You might be able to get a USB fan, but that won't cool the air. You can also get things that you soak in water and go around the neck, like a handkerchief, which can help a bit.

BarnacleBeasley · 30/04/2025 15:27

I think it potentially is worth £900, if:

  • you have £900
  • you think the car will last at least a few more years and you'd be happy to keep it if it had working air con
  • all the alternatives (e.g. new car) would cost significantly more than £900.
If that's the case, I'd just pay it and try not to think about how much it is in relation to the value of the car.
Pinkmoonshine · 30/04/2025 15:29

I have the same problem ! I’ve ignore it for years but it’s really annoying

howcanitbetrue · 30/04/2025 15:31

Erm just put up with it? It's definitely the condenser and not just needing regassing? It's only relatively recently that cars have had air con. It's not a necessity, like brakes. I realise I sound like a bitch, but literally first world problems. It's not even that warm!

fruitpastille · 30/04/2025 15:34

My garage put new gas in mine last summer which has fixed it. They were not sure it would work or how long for. Worth a try?

Lovelysummerdays · 30/04/2025 15:36

Those blowy neck fans are really good. I know someone who works in a sweltering kitchen who swears by hers.

BlackCatsAreBrilliant · 30/04/2025 15:46

The blower in my ancient car expired last year. I got it fixed as icing/misting up over winter was a massive nuisance. It needed a new motor and wasn't cheap as it was hard to get to.

The air con, however, hasn't worked for years and we just open windows, put the blower on cold and sweat. I can't justify paying for that to be sorted.

Talipesmum · 30/04/2025 15:50

Have you got window shields up? I found with newer car with tinted windows in the back of the car, it made a huge difference to how hot it got inside the car.

BurntBroccoli · 30/04/2025 15:54

Same - mine hasn’t worked for years either and really expensive to fix. Looking on the forums for my car, it seems lots of people had the same issue. There was probably a manufacturing fault.

My last car was even older than this one but the aircon worked like a dream!

Eightdayz · 30/04/2025 15:54

Don't buy plug in fans. Your cars heater fan will do the same thing. There isn't an effective plug in "air con" air con uses the changing state of a refrigerant gas (like your fridge freezer at home) it's not possible to condense all that into a small plug in unit that goes on your dash.

Also they don't have to take the whole car apart. Its all in the engine bay.

Flossflower · 30/04/2025 15:58

I started driving well before cars had air conditioning. We just used to drive with the window slightly open. I accept there is far more traffic now.

Original poster
Pompompurin1 · 30/04/2025 18:35

I think the best suggestion on here is the blowy neck fans I will look into those ! Thanks :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Pompompurin1 · 30/04/2025 18:37

howcanitbetrue · 30/04/2025 15:31

Erm just put up with it? It's definitely the condenser and not just needing regassing? It's only relatively recently that cars have had air con. It's not a necessity, like brakes. I realise I sound like a bitch, but literally first world problems. It's not even that warm!

Yes you do sound like a bitch. And you have no idea how hot it is where I am.

And yes it’s the “compresser” , re gas failed. Local garage is an air conditioning specialist.

clearly, it is a first world problem, but I’m still allowed to ask for ideas, aren’t I?

Why do people only post to be twats and not offer any helpful advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pompompurin1 · 30/04/2025 18:39

Eightdayz · 30/04/2025 15:54

Don't buy plug in fans. Your cars heater fan will do the same thing. There isn't an effective plug in "air con" air con uses the changing state of a refrigerant gas (like your fridge freezer at home) it's not possible to condense all that into a small plug in unit that goes on your dash.

Also they don't have to take the whole car apart. Its all in the engine bay.

Edited

Sorry, I meant to say open “most of the front of the car”. Thank you for warning me about the plug-in fans, I won’t waste my money.

OP posts:
Marmaladelade · 30/04/2025 18:42

bumblebee1000 · 30/04/2025 15:17

The compressor is the most expensive part and fiddly to get to...most people dont realise that you should run the air con for a bit all year as the rubber seals need lubricating from the fluid...hence leaks and regassing needed.

Oh really - I only had mine degassed last year and today I put it on. - blooming hot air!

is that why?

Moonshinerso · 30/04/2025 18:43

I had a Zafira too and the aircon didn’t work for the last few years I had it. I just opened the windows.

Riverswims · 30/04/2025 18:49

I had the same with my old Zafira but then the rear windows stopped opening so it really was insufferable for rear passengers which is the whole point of a seven seater

MargaretThursday · 30/04/2025 18:56

We have a nearly 15yo Zafira. We top up the air con about every other year and make sure we blast it out occasionally in the winter to keep it moving. I suspect that will become less of a hassle now ds, who runs hot, is driving. I suspect he'll have it on in the midst of winter.

However if you open all the windows it pretty always gets cold enough quickly. Although it does tend to if you have all the windows open and go downhill fast give what we call a sonic boom. It sounds like the roof has suddenly been pushed out by the air (like if you blow into a collapsed bottle).

Topseyt123 · 30/04/2025 19:15

I have a similar issue with my 16 year old Hyundai i20. The air-conditioning is quite feeble now. I might try having it regassed but if it needs anything much more than that then I probably just won't bother.

There's nothing else wrong with my car so I guess it could just come down to windows open.

I use the aircon every time I drive, even in winter so it is run year round as much as possible.

Original poster
Pompompurin1 · 30/04/2025 19:21

Yeah I don’t think I can justify fixing it. Shame as it’s a solid old tank that never fails me in every other respect. I joined a Zafira Owners FB group and there are lots of posts about the aircon going in old Zafiras so at least I’m not alone !

OP posts:
bumblebee1000 · 30/04/2025 19:53

Marmaladelade · 30/04/2025 18:42

Oh really - I only had mine degassed last year and today I put it on. - blooming hot air!

is that why?

Show quote history

probably, the refrigerant contains a chemical which lubricates the rubber seals to stop them perishing...its a common issue. also air con is good to help demist in winter.

WhoAreYouTalkingTo · 30/04/2025 19:56

No solutions I'm afraid, but I travelled 300 miles in 40°heat once with no air con and thought I might actually die, even with all the windows open, so I feel your pain.