Air con regas quantity and timing belt

[Swifty1234]

Sorry two questions. I've had my Aircon regassed today and the mechanic didn't know how much to put in. In fairness, it has had a private plate at some point and finding parts and specifications has proved difficult. The Fiat dealers I called seemed reluctant to tell me. He has had a guess at 500grams but tonight I've found the attached which would seem to indicate closer to 1000grams. It was blowing nice and cool while driving although I noticed not so much when stuck in traffic.

Additionally I think timing belt is due. It says in the manual every 240,000kms or 60 months which seems a bit annoying but oh well. One garage wanted £1000. Fiat professional want £700 but say the water pump doesn't need doing at the same time. Apparently if it has an existing metal impellar they are inclined to leave it. Seems a bit odd? Tempted to have a go myself. Did it on a Renault Extra many years ago but much smaller than the fiat ducato.

Many thanks

 

[Phill D]

You haven’t indicated what engine but from the info for gassing I take it that it is a 244 .
I don’t think it is standard to change the water pump on the 244 but not absolutely sure.

The problem with re gassing is knowing not only the total amount needed but what is already in the system.

 

[Swifty1234]

Sorry yes 244, 2.3 td.

He seemed to think there was nothing in there when he connected up his machine. I've just checked the document more closely and it seems ducato with air con in the rear are near 1000grams, ducatos with panorama which I'm guessing are mini busses are around 800grams and all other ducatos are 550 grams. Runs nice and cold while on motorway but not so great when in traffic. Perhaps compressor isn't in best of health

 

[Googlebot]

Where are you based?

There is an excellent air conditioning expert near Dudley I have used?

 

[Swifty1234]

Swanley North West Kent unfortunately

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Googlebot]

That’s a shame, as others have said, if they are any good, they will put a vacuum pump on before weighing the gas and putting in the correct amount.

I had a car years ago that I had topped up by an idiot, it made all sorts of noises and he subsequently diagnosed the compressor was broken.

Took it to the place I now use, he laughed, took some gas out and it was fine. The idiot had overgassed it causing the issue.

I travel 45 minutes to use him as he doesn’t rip people off and is an expert at air con.

I would try and find a specialist in your area rather than a standard garage.

 

[Emmit]

Thought the 244 was a 2.8.
Ours was and I thought that was the only lump.

In any case, unless you are in one of those highway robbery areas ie South East, I think your quotes are excessive.

Oh! I see you're in Kent.

 

[Larby]

On my Audi there is a sticker that says how much gas and what type above the radiator.

 

[Swifty1234]

He did use a vacuum pump to be fair although I appreciate what you are saying. He said he had also included a dye into the gas in case there are any leaks although don't know how accurate this is

 

[Swifty1234]

On my Audi there is a sticker that says how much gas and what type above the radiator.

He looked there but there wasn't one

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lee Fryer]

My 244 is 2.0l

 

[Googlebot]

He did use a vacuum pump to be fair although I appreciate what you are saying. He said he had also included a dye into the gas in case there are any leaks although don't know how accurate this is

Good news then as it looks like a proper job. I can confirm the dye works a treat, it found a leak in mine last week.

 

[eurajohn]

Just had my 2014 Ducato base van done here in France (specialist company), receipt for work shows 550gm.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Oil in the A/C May need a top up.

It very small capacity. But when the refrigerant leaks out, oil in vapour goes with it.

Depending how often it’s been Re-charged (and it shouldn’t need to be for at least 10 years). The oil gets depleted.

This will lead to seizure, belt snapping and costly repairs.

ET

Automotive a/c tech for 35 + years

 

[Swifty1234]

Many thanks. The previous owner didn't even know it had aircon so I think the system has been unused for at least 8 years or so

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[The Wino]

Many thanks. The previous owner didn't even know it had aircon so I think the system has been unused for at least 8 years or so

The refrigerant acts as a lubricant on the seals in the system if it's not worked for that long I think it's lucky it works at all. I'm pretty sure that the higher amount is for a minibus with rear aircon so the amount they've put in sounds about right. Everytime I've had Aircon regassedd they put dye in I suspect it's just standard procedure I wouldn't be surprised if it comes already in the refrigerant.

 

[Zigisla]

Just doing mine now and for a 2015 (65) it is 950g of the old type. Fortunately all info; refrigerant type and amounts were on a plate under the bonnet. He took 195g out. Clearly why I was soooo hot yesterday driving home from Vanbitz.