Air con
03-13-2008, 09:32 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Air con
Anyone know of a good place to get my air con serviced in the Bristol/Bath area, it's working but not that cold? Is it a R13a or R12 system?
03-13-2008, 09:47 AM
#2
Registered User
afaik, it's R134a.
R12 was what they used in the earlier ac units (early 90's), but is now illegal to use due to environmental issues.
R404 runs cooler (gives more chill to the air) but not sure it's certified for car AC unless specifically made for it.
around coventry, it's circa
R12 was what they used in the earlier ac units (early 90's), but is now illegal to use due to environmental issues.
R404 runs cooler (gives more chill to the air) but not sure it's certified for car AC unless specifically made for it.
around coventry, it's circa
03-13-2008, 10:25 AM
#3
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R134a sounds about right (there is no R13a). R12 is an out of data refrigerant, CFC.
R404a runs at higher pressures and indeed runs cooler. Best to stick with R134a.
As veehexx said, there's not much too it. They will stick a vacuum on the system, sucking out the old gas and drying it at the same time. Then recharge it with R134a, the gas does not cost much (about
R404a runs at higher pressures and indeed runs cooler. Best to stick with R134a.
As veehexx said, there's not much too it. They will stick a vacuum on the system, sucking out the old gas and drying it at the same time. Then recharge it with R134a, the gas does not cost much (about
03-13-2008, 11:01 AM
#4
Registered User
even worse.... the gas they take out, gets put into the same bottle as the new stuff - so even if your only 100-200g down on refridgerant, they'll still charge you the standard rate.
R134a is recycleable, hence it comes out of your car and goes back in + more to the proper refridgerant weight.
another thing; dont be sucked into any extra. some places might sugest UV dye (if it's not standard practice); it's used soley for leak-check purposes. since you still have some gas in your car, then no leaks. AC oil should only be changed if the system has been opened to atmosphere (new parts been fitted/burst pipe)
same with AC cleaner. i forget the name of it, but it's some stuff they put down your airvents and it kills any bacteria growing on the AC cooling matrix; aslong as you use the AC, the AC doesnt smell when you turn it on and dont have a blocked water drain, then another pretty useless extra.
a simple straight forward refridgerant topup is all you need.
on another note: you can get topup bottles from motor factors. not sure on the exact use of them, but you connect the bottle upto the AC charge point, watch the guage, and when it hits XX value, you disconnect it.
- pro's fill the car by exact weight (remove all gas, then refill)
- DIY i presume is done on a live AC system and is done by system pressure (which imo is bad)
the presure of the AC system changes as the AC condenser fan is turned on/off, and is varies depending on atmospheric differences etc.
R134a is recycleable, hence it comes out of your car and goes back in + more to the proper refridgerant weight.
another thing; dont be sucked into any extra. some places might sugest UV dye (if it's not standard practice); it's used soley for leak-check purposes. since you still have some gas in your car, then no leaks. AC oil should only be changed if the system has been opened to atmosphere (new parts been fitted/burst pipe)
same with AC cleaner. i forget the name of it, but it's some stuff they put down your airvents and it kills any bacteria growing on the AC cooling matrix; aslong as you use the AC, the AC doesnt smell when you turn it on and dont have a blocked water drain, then another pretty useless extra.
a simple straight forward refridgerant topup is all you need.
on another note: you can get topup bottles from motor factors. not sure on the exact use of them, but you connect the bottle upto the AC charge point, watch the guage, and when it hits XX value, you disconnect it.
- pro's fill the car by exact weight (remove all gas, then refill)
- DIY i presume is done on a live AC system and is done by system pressure (which imo is bad)
the presure of the AC system changes as the AC condenser fan is turned on/off, and is varies depending on atmospheric differences etc.
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