DIY Aircon.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 02 Aug 2011, 19:39

Has anyone used a Halford's DIY Aircon regas kits? After six years and 8 years, two of our cars need a topup.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Aug 2011, 19:43

Tried one, had no success, took it to kwik fit and got it done without any trouble.
Most places do it half price in the colder months so if you can wait give it til then.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 02 Aug 2011, 19:56

I've used DIY kits quite a few times successfully but you do need to know what you're doing as its all too easy to over-fill the system which causes the system to over pressurise when its very hot with the risk of damaging the pump. The system should switch off just prior to over pressurising but you never know so unless you have a good understanding of how A/C works and how to recognise various symptoms best leave this one to the experts, especially as its relatively cheap now, not that I'd ever call Kwik Fit experts at anything

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 02 Aug 2011, 19:57

I wouldn't bother, best to get someone that knows what they are doing.

I got a mobile air con specialist out to do a few of our cars a couple of months back. Had very good results and both cars now chill like a fridge.

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 02 Aug 2011, 20:07

You can't re gas an A/C system properly without vaccuming it. also the right amount of refridgerant is quite important for it to be efficient, the only way to know how much goes in is to weigh it.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 02 Aug 2011, 20:57

JohnD wrote:Has anyone used a Halford's DIY Aircon regas kits? After six years and 8 years, two of our cars need a topup.

They are NOT supposed to be selling them now, it Illegal for any NON Trained Specialist to be dooing Air Conditioning stuff without special training.

I beleve halfords have beeen told to STOP selling the top ups!!

I have got a Vac, Guages and R134a Gas, Strickly for my OWN cars...

Paul

exect · Post by **exect** » 02 Aug 2011, 22:20

I have tried the refills without success.
I used Kwick Fit as they were the cheapest but had been warned that you get shortchanged on the refridgent gas. So I watched, and the trick seems to be that the correct details of the vehicle are entered, but after clearing the system and refilling with oil the automatic process comes to a stop and the mechanic enters any figure he likes for the gas.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Aug 2011, 22:32

exect wrote:I have tried the refills without success.
I used Kwick Fit as they were the cheapest but had been warned that you get shortchanged on the refridgent gas. So I watched, and the trick seems to be that the correct details of the vehicle are entered, but after clearing the system and refilling with oil the automatic process comes to a stop and the mechanic enters any figure he likes for the gas.

Then it won't go up to the right pressure and you aren't likely to get the temperature reduction required to be chargable, therefore getting a free partial regas.
It was fully automated all the times I've had it done, it even tells them what oil to use as this is specific.

addo · Post by **addo** » 03 Aug 2011, 00:13

It's worth getting it done by a proper specialist, not a monkey. They will also check for leaks before putting any gas in...

At 6-8 years of age, there's a good chance the R/Ds will need replacing as well. Also, my top hose (drier output to TX valve) was damaged by LHM as the pump side plug seals broke down; this made the freon hose spongy and permeable.

SaabC5 · Post by **SaabC5** » 03 Aug 2011, 09:47

Specialist job, system needs to be taken to a vacuum first and then refilled with the correct weight of refridgerant AND compressor oil. Its no use filling up with just refridgerant cos you will damage the compressor without the oil content.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 03 Aug 2011, 14:08

OK thanks for the replies. You've convinced me! Going to book with a mobile 'visitor' for £65 each with a 10% reduction for both at same time.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 15 Aug 2011, 20:10

Today I drove down to second daughter's house where the mobile aircon guy had already started on her Xsara. Within 45 minutes he was finished and ready to start on my C5. What a difference on both of them. Well worth having done and at a reasonable 60 quid each.

onthecut · Post by **onthecut** » 22 Aug 2011, 23:15

citroenxm wrote:
They are NOT supposed to be selling them now, it Illegal for any NON Trained Specialist to be dooing Air Conditioning stuff without special training.

Are you sure about that ? The sale and use of certain gases is prohibited and there are strict rules about used gas capture and disposal, but I don't recall anything specific about operative training. Strikes me that is just on the wish list of the HVAC industry. That said, it is worth reminding anyone unfamiliar with aircon that the gases are not pleasant things to come into contact with and if you don't really know what you're at, much safer to entrust it to someone who does. Numerous stories about of some of the aftermarket fixes in a can leading to system blockage and failure in due course.

Mike.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 23 Aug 2011, 09:59

Whether or not DIY cans are banned - I don't know, but while the guy was working on my car, I was chatting to him. I asked him about the cans in Halfords and whether they really worked. He certainly didn't say they weren't supposed to be sold. He did say that there was a danger that too much gas could be put in. At the time he was just waiting for the cleaning process to finish, and he said that with the DIY can, the system missed out on the cleaning.

French Car Forum

DIY Aircon.

DIY Aircon.

Re: DIY Aircon.

Re: DIY Aircon.