Air conditioning maintenance

[campbell]

OK not for a Lotus but for our Golf and I'm sure the principles are similar!

We've had the Golf for nearly 6 years now and I'm not aware of any work being done on the air con (climate control system), perhaps other than some basic inspection at a service?

However with recent warm weather we are noticing that it's not cooling the cabin and the air supplied is no cooler than on "Economy" mode (ie compressor switched off).

Anyone know if there are fluids that could be checked / topped up "by the user" before I book it into a garage for an inspection/diagnosis? Other than the coolant needing refilled / re-pressurised, I can only think that the actual compressor has gone (oh joy!).

And in which case...any recommendations in the West Lothian / Edinburgh area, as our regular local garage is closed for hols until 21st July

ta!

Campbell

[meatball]

Ali SLS knows an air con specialist....used to work at MMC!

[neil]

It is probably just needing the coolant topped up - supposedly this needs done every couple of years so you've done quite well getting 6 out of it. You can get a can of the stuff from Halfords for £40 and do it yourself or pop along to Kwik Fit (if you trust them) and let them do it for £44.95 with a money back guarantee

[neil]

Meatball - did you ever get yours fixed?? My fix lasted a whole week...

[meatball]

Meatball - did you ever get yours fixed?? My fix lasted a whole week...

I assume you are taking it back?
My car is still getting stuff sorted.....I think it was due to be finished at the weekend.....will check later today.

[campbell]

Neil, Campbell,

thanks both - will look at the top-up route first if I can find the right orifice ... heard the Kwik-Fit ad this morning but never had much confidence in them so also going to talk to friendly local VW dealer (Inch, Bathgate...decent bunch actually, I've heard)

cheers guys!

Campbell

[neil]

Meatball - did you ever get yours fixed?? My fix lasted a whole week...

I assume you are taking it back?
My car is still getting stuff sorted.....I think it was due to be finished at the weekend.....will check later today.

Yes it's going back - its the PITA 250 mile round trip to drop it off that I dont like

[meatball]

I'm only 120 mile round trip!
Hence why I want evrything done in a oner!
Was the same issue with getting to MMC.

[Matelotman]

I find this crowd quite knowledgeable on most things VAG.

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/

[campbell]

Found the Halfords product - £40 right enough.

Think I may let the local VW garage take a look first, to be on safe side. Tinkering with the Elise is one thing...tinkering with the Golf is quite another!

thanks guys

Campbell

[fd]

If the econ light (on the button) stays off then it probably isn't refrigerant pressure (from my understanding) . . . If the light comes on by itself there is a pressure sensor failure or low refrigerany pressure so the system disables the compressor to prevent damage (ie. running with no refrigerant/lubricant) . . . frankly - the systems are not completely simple as compressor control links into cooling fan speed control and other things, so the actual reason it's not working is something you need to determine before you start 'topping it up' . . . take it to a dealer or get someone who can pull the AC diagnostics from the car and work out what is wrong . . . I have the relevant diagnostic software and cables, but am also busy busy busy . . .

Fd

[campbell]

aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!

much appreciated Fergus, as ever

We have no light on our Climate Control system as such, just separate buttons for Auto or Econ modes. Switching between the two makes no diff to temp but I think I can detect the compressor kicking in when pressing Auto.

Interestingly, Inch VW in Bathgate quote £30 plus vodka and tonic to do an inspection - including electronic diagnostics - but aren't prepared to give me even a rough idea of the sort of costs of common remedial work eg new condenser, top-up, etc etc. That really wound me up, as they are bound to know this already?

So I resolved to try Kwik-Fit's top up service for simplicity really.

However, you have got me thinking. Again. It does sound like it's worth the "proper" diagnosis first, and if no faults found other than top-up then at least I can then seek an accurate price for that to compare with Kwik-Fit I suppose? No way I'd trouble you on this Fd but thanks for the tip-off re: cables etc, may come in handy another day

stay tuned...

[Rich H]

Kwik fit have a colder air con or money back guarantee, so just go there for a top up then claim oyur cashback if it is somethign else.

[fd]

aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!

much appreciated Fergus, as ever

We have no light on our Climate Control system as such, just separate buttons for Auto or Econ modes. Switching between the two makes no diff to temp but I think I can detect the compressor kicking in when pressing Auto.

Interestingly, Inch VW in Bathgate quote £30 plus vodka and tonic to do an inspection - including electronic diagnostics - but aren't prepared to give me even a rough idea of the sort of costs of common remedial work eg new condenser, top-up, etc etc. That really wound me up, as they are bound to know this already?

So I resolved to try Kwik-Fit's top up service for simplicity really.

However, you have got me thinking. Again. It does sound like it's worth the "proper" diagnosis first, and if no faults found other than top-up then at least I can then seek an accurate price for that to compare with Kwik-Fit I suppose? No way I'd trouble you on this Fd but thanks for the tip-off re: cables etc, may come in handy another day

stay tuned...

Isn't there a wee light on the auto and econ buttons ?

Anyway . . . with some planning I'm sure we could hook up for long enough to check the diagnostics . . . only takes minutes . . .

Fd

[fd]

Kwik fit have a colder air con or money back guarantee, so just go there for a top up then claim oyur cashback if it is somethign else.

My research concluded that some of the halfords top up kits contain refrigerant and a 'sealant', I have heard that the kwik fsck top up contains the same 'sealant' . . . this sealant is the air-con equivalent of radweld and I've seen it referred to by people with air-con knowledge as 'black death' sealant . . .

You can draw your own conclusions from that . . .

I'd just get it diagnosed properly myself . . .

$0.02

Fd