Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 125
Newbie question on air conditioner regas
Hi all. I had the rear air con blanked off last year to bypass corroded pipes which gave me cool air back - all working for about a year, but no longer blowing cold.
I'm suspecting it needs a regas (hmm. Suppose I must check if I can hear the compressor kicking in - is that another thing that's easyto confirm in the D3?)
Is this an easy thing to do myself? You tube make it look easy, but I'd like some real comments
Thanks collective!
11th Jun 2023 7:50 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20786
If the system is low on pressure, the compressor won't engage
You need to have the system checked for leaks with pressurised nitrogen. If all is well, then regas My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 125
From what I was hoping would be a £20 DIY job seems to be turning into paying someone with the tools and know-how to do it for me (sigh). Oh well. It all supports the local economy I guess! Thank's for everyone's input.
12th Jun 2023 8:36 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10546
Also start with someone experienced rather than a cheap mobile guy.
Should be cheaper in the long run.
12th Jun 2023 11:29 am
FidoNick
Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 125
12th Jun 2023 1:01 pm
Bardley
Member Since: 02 May 2018
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 457
Last edited by Bardley on 12th Jun 2023 9:28 pm. Edited 1 time in total
12th Jun 2023 6:42 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10546
They are only any use if there is no leak.
They don’t tell you where it is leaking.
So it’s ok if you have plenty of spare time.
But you will likely need to goto a professional afterwards unless you have found and fixed the
Leak iteself
12th Jun 2023 8:47 pm
FidoNick
Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 125
I've spoken with a local indy chap who has me booked in for a couple of week's time. Hopefully there will still be enough dye from when he worked on it last time, to indicate any new leaks.
12th Jun 2023 10:37 pm
Bracechenko
Member Since: 29 Jun 2021
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 181
Agree with others - the proper way to do it is via a Garage who will do a pressure test checking for leaks. However, as already mentioned, they don't spot everything if the leak is very small. I had a test and was told everything fine so re-gassed but each year it needs re-doing....although it lasts long enough to get me through the summer.
Annoyingly, the garage insist on the pressure check each time rather than go straight to re-gas. I believe it's because of the regs on refrigerant leaking into the atmosphere so not their fault I suppose.
However, Halfords sell a home DIY re-gas kit. It'll cost you £60 for the bottle and about £20 for the hose/trigger tool. A bit pricey but you get a few re-gases out of it and the next year you can exchange the bottle for a new one and get a tenner off. I've literally just done this myself so I have a nice cool D3 for £49.99.
If you have a large leak then this isn't an option for you. You'll need to get that repaired properly but worth knowing that there is a re-gas option.
14th Jun 2023 3:44 pm
FidoNick
Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 125
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