Rarely do we drive without Air Con....a top up in Spain is 50€. On a previous MH just after winter I tried the AirCon to prepare for a trip....nothing...so off I went for a re-gas...the system was full and leak free....the belt had broken.....Early Ducato 2.8.....2002 model..
Cab a/c packed up in France
- Thread starter mikebeaches
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mikebeaches
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Indeed, I appreciate that is entirely possible, unfortunately...
Thanks Trev - that's informative!
Yeah…..I have a similar aged vehicle in the garage….not quite as old and still on its original refrigerant and still cools suitably…admittedly it does get looked after.
I‘m just quoting the industry accepted norms…
I‘m just quoting the industry accepted norms…
- Jul 18, 2009
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- Jul 18, 2009
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Usually I would put gauges on first, if there is nothing in, pressurise with OFN (Oxygen free Nitrogen). Take it from there. If there is a substantial leak, OFN will pour out.Indeed, I appreciate that is entirely possible, unfortunately...
Thanks Trev - that's informative!
If there is quite a positive pressure, you may be able to buy a DIY can and top up.
Good luck, please ask if you need any more help or suggestions.
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mikebeaches
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I suspect the problem is the van hasn't been driven enough.
Just a question of how bigger job it is to fix.
Just a question of how bigger job it is to fix.
STP‘s DIY EZ Chill cylinders (Not a product plug….we have a proper Air-Con service system in the garage) are definitely at least double the price for R1234yf 
- Jul 18, 2009
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Was 4 times the price until R134a shot upSTP‘s DIY EZ Chill cylinders (Not a product plug….we have a proper Air-Con service system in the garage) are definitely at least double the price for R1234yf
- Jul 18, 2009
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4 years ago, I was offered 50 bottles of R134a 13kg. £65 a bottle
within a few months, it was £200 a bottlle
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- Jul 18, 2009
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I have a Range Rover. so carry a can of R134a!
Don't have Cab A/C in the motorhome, so no use.
Don't have Cab A/C in the motorhome, so no use.
Jesus……I wonder what we‘re paying for it. I‘m intrigued now
- Jul 18, 2009
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£300 in the UK
Kick fit fit you in for £69 or so.
But will try and sell you tyres and brakes etc.
But to be fair, Ive just been looking for tyres, usually buy from tyre leader and get local garage to fit. But kwhikfit are £500 for 5 tyres, home or centre fit. I can't buy them for that (Conti all-season)
Bizarrely…..it recently ordered two tires online from them.(only available as an online order)
It was the same thing…cheaper including fitting, valves, balancing and 4 quid each for disposing of the old carcasses than I could find them for anywhere.
I only wanted the tires…
It was the same thing…cheaper including fitting, valves, balancing and 4 quid each for disposing of the old carcasses than I could find them for anywhere.
I only wanted the tires…
- Jul 6, 2009
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On our Aspire the fuse box under the bonnet there are three relays across the front. The middle one controls the air con. It had a poor connection I took it out slightly twisted the blades back in worked fine for the next 2 years before we sold it. I had had the system re gassed in France E47 by coincit started working but the next day failed. With the air con on and engine running try giving the relays a wiggle
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mikebeaches
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Interesting, thanks for that! Well worth a check.
- Aug 18, 2014
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Apart from it is also illegal to refill with gas without determining that the leak has been rectified.
It should not do. If it does it is like any refrigeration plant ,illegal and should be shut down until leak is rectified.
But it does…….they’re not my figures as I’ve said.
Google ‘how long does air con gas last’
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If it's got a leak it'll be gone in hours not weeks , find an AC specialist and get it vac tested
There's nearly always a Groupon for kwik fit AC regas
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- Nov 7, 2015
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- since 2015 previously caravaning 25 years
I had ours regassed last week by a mobile air con engineer friend, vacuumed and refilled £50.
The air con was only blowing at 13C on max but after a vacuum and regassing was down to 4C, first regass since it left the factory 9 years ago.
Fortunately our van uses R134 gas but 2017 onwards the newer gas is much more expensive and apparently needs regassing more frequently.
The air con was only blowing at 13C on max but after a vacuum and regassing was down to 4C, first regass since it left the factory 9 years ago.
Fortunately our van uses R134 gas but 2017 onwards the newer gas is much more expensive and apparently needs regassing more frequently.
As someone who has the home regas kit.... get it done by a garage, in the UK at least it's about £50, I find now that the home cylinders cost that much if it needs gas.
Yes it could be a component failure but it's more likely to just be the natural loss over time, don't panic! So long as they put dye in (ask! they don't always) you'll be fine. Once it's been regassed if it is a component failure you'll soon know, yes you can see the dye without a UV torch but it's much easier with - I think my torch was £3 off Ebay! - I stuck my head under the bonnet at dusk with the torch, the problem shone out like a beacon (dodgy filing valve in my case - splatters of UV dye all around it).
Yes you can get the occasional vehicle that never needs regassing but most do need doing every few years. My Ducato didn't have the aircon ran at all for 6 years - previous owners didn't realise it was fitted - after the above mentioned filling valve was replaced and some new gas with lubricant and dye was added, all was well. It needs regassing every 3 years or so now.
There are a lot of mobile aircon engineers who do regasses - not sure if it's the same in France or it's only in garages, worth asking. There must be a demand for it over there, same as here.
Yes it could be a component failure but it's more likely to just be the natural loss over time, don't panic! So long as they put dye in (ask! they don't always) you'll be fine. Once it's been regassed if it is a component failure you'll soon know, yes you can see the dye without a UV torch but it's much easier with - I think my torch was £3 off Ebay! - I stuck my head under the bonnet at dusk with the torch, the problem shone out like a beacon (dodgy filing valve in my case - splatters of UV dye all around it).
Yes you can get the occasional vehicle that never needs regassing but most do need doing every few years. My Ducato didn't have the aircon ran at all for 6 years - previous owners didn't realise it was fitted - after the above mentioned filling valve was replaced and some new gas with lubricant and dye was added, all was well. It needs regassing every 3 years or so now.
There are a lot of mobile aircon engineers who do regasses - not sure if it's the same in France or it's only in garages, worth asking. There must be a demand for it over there, same as here.
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mikebeaches
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So you were spot on - the refrigerant details should be on a label on the slam panel under the bonnet.
Unfortunately, the key info is handwritten on the label and now illegible - DOH!
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mikebeaches
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Sounds like exactly what I need - a mobile air con technician.
Wonder if there are any in France?
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mikebeaches
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All very useful and helpful info - thanks!
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Bailey58
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If you know which gas it is, and the OP doesn't by the look of that label.
Or a no mobile one....head for a commercial centre near you....Feu Vert or Norauto type of drive in quick service centre...
Agree. Just pull into any garage that has enough room for you and ask them to sort your AC.
They will attach a machine that does it all, and they will go back to the job they were doing. Machine beeps every now and then, he presses button. Then takes money from you.
That’s my experience.
They will attach a machine that does it all, and they will go back to the job they were doing. Machine beeps every now and then, he presses button. Then takes money from you.
That’s my experience.
Before incurring extra expense, there's a bit if low hanging fruit worth checking off.
As mentioned earlier, have a listen out y the front wheel, pulley side, for the ac clutch engaging when someone else turns it on with the engine ticking over. Usually the revs dip a bit, before the ecu compensates. If you don't hear it, check the fuse (on ours it's in the box under the bonnet, but check your chassis manual). If the fuse has gone then change it.
If you've got the "auto" ie climate control ac version, just check the outside temperature shown on the dashboard. If the sensor in the wing mirror is duff the outside temp reading may be showing as too low, and the ac will not turn on.
If you hear the clutch engage, but the revs don't dip, check the compressor fan belt is still there.
If you've got good Obd2 software you may see a code on one of the body computers, which will help.
If all that's OK reach for wallet...
As mentioned earlier, have a listen out y the front wheel, pulley side, for the ac clutch engaging when someone else turns it on with the engine ticking over. Usually the revs dip a bit, before the ecu compensates. If you don't hear it, check the fuse (on ours it's in the box under the bonnet, but check your chassis manual). If the fuse has gone then change it.
If you've got the "auto" ie climate control ac version, just check the outside temperature shown on the dashboard. If the sensor in the wing mirror is duff the outside temp reading may be showing as too low, and the ac will not turn on.
If you hear the clutch engage, but the revs don't dip, check the compressor fan belt is still there.
If you've got good Obd2 software you may see a code on one of the body computers, which will help.
If all that's OK reach for wallet...
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