I've looked at a number of websites on the subject of regassing car aircon systems, and it seems there are differences of opinion on why the gas needs topping up. One body of opinion is that loss of gas always means a leak and requires a full overhaul of the system. The other view is that aircon systems all have hoses and components that have a degree of porosity, and it is normal to experience a loss of a percentage of gas over time, requiring topping up. Any comments?
sw20,
Jan 29, 7:35pm
My old man is a sparky and refridgeration engineer. Whenever I have bought a second hand car with the A/C not working I just take it to him and he refills it and they have all served me well. Three cars, only needing a regas in each one. All of them on R12 too
clark20,
Jan 29, 7:36pm
Yep, go to the experts and ask them. Mine was a leaking condenser. I think they can leak 5-10% normally so after 5-6 years a top up is good anyway, and they can add new oil as well. The filter/drier may need replacing as well.
I recently had my 10 year old utes aircon regassed, the tech said it was normal for them to lose about 10% per year.
kazbanz,
Jan 30, 8:07am
My rule of thumb is that if the AC is working at all --ie getting at all cool then a regas is usually a good and safe option. If there is no ac operating at all then Im pretty sure there is as a minimum a damaged O ring. letting gas leak but I bank on at least a $600 repair job. Sometimes we get lucky. sometimes we get stung
nukhelenc,
Jan 30, 1:19pm
Really 10% per year. 10 years 100% all gone. Shit my 1992 wreck i drive has never been touched as far as i know and it still cranks out cold air, twice a year i might run it to keep it working. :)
elect70,
Jan 30, 1:37pm
Topping up old R12 systems was OK but new gasses are blends of gasses & dont neccesarily leak out complete so a total leak test evacuate & recharge is recommended . some cars never leaked &others needed topping up yearly . It all depended on the quality of the assembly . All holdens & falcons were notorious for losing their gas , euros were pretty good , i used to do several dealers A/C work .
kazbanz,
Jan 30, 1:49pm
No bro its 10% of remaining a year. So first year 90% remains. Second year 81% third year 72.9 fourth year 65.61 fifth year 59.049 sixth year 53.144 seventh year 47.82 year 8 43.046 year 9 38.74 year 10 34.867 --so after 10 years its still got about 35% gas
nukhelenc,
Jan 30, 3:16pm
Dam i was close
franc123,
Jan 30, 4:02pm
Lol, business a bit slow this arvo was it?
snoopy221,
Jan 30, 4:17pm
Actually would be interesting to compile makes and aircon reliability. i'll put nissan as before toyota here. unusual but nissan aircon systems seem to hang in there longer than toyota ones in my experience
hamishcookie,
Jan 30, 4:18pm
My Ef coon's A/C didn't work when I got it, took it in for a free check with a certain crowd and although he couldn't detect any leaks he couldn't say for sure why it wasn't working. In the end I took it to a local old timer who regassed it for $30 and it lasted all last summer and is still working now.
quickbuck,
Jan 30, 4:19pm
And technically it can never reach empty.
snoopy221,
Jan 30, 4:21pm
meh no offence kaz. But i dunno if itzz da drugs ya on. lol Or that ya SHOULD be on drugs. lol
kazbanz,
Jan 30, 4:31pm
nahh loading pics and as per usual TMM server is SLOOOOOOOW I still have to sit here and sort em or it uploads to TM in the order shown.
nukhelenc,
Jan 30, 4:39pm
92 Nissan here. Never been gassed in nz. Still gets very cool when run
rpvr,
Jan 30, 7:34pm
Agreed, I've had three, an AD which was traded at 200,000k, a Wingroad at 180,000k and currently have a W11 Avenir with 170,000k on it. Never had to touch the aircon on any of them and still working well when the first two were disposed of. It was nice driving the Avenir in today's 28 degrees, 18 degrees inside, no problem.
clark20,
Jan 30, 7:37pm
You may get a visit from an employee this weekend, look after her please (I know you will) She may mention my name.
emmerson1,
Jan 30, 9:17pm
I bought a 1999 / 2000 car two years ago and the A/C was useless. Might as well have not been connected. Got it re-gassed last year and it made such a difference. Now I just have to replace the thermostat so it warms up properly in winter!
elect70,
Jan 31, 10:16am
Funny when the ban on R12 came in jap imports had the gas removed before shipping , dealers were unaware until customers complained about no cooling . .luckily there was a direct drop in replacement refrigerant for it but it was 5 times the price . Now its dropped 50% no point in anyone hoarding R12
kazbanz,
Jul 15, 9:09pm
no worries
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