DIY A/C regas. what do we think?

[A80Avant]

My A/C has stopped working.It hasnt been filled or checked the last 2 years.

what do we think of this product? is it something that is worth it?

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HalfordsProductDetailsLiteView?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=201507&TB_iframe=true&TB_C_ID=productdetails&TB_C_TITLE=Air+Conditioning+Measure+%26+Charge&width=800

im reading good reviews and thought of giving it a try.

although it says that it needs to hook to the low pressure side, on our cars most of the owners charge from the high pressure side. Should i stick to the instructions and hook the low pressure on the compressor for this one?

thanks

[AndyP]

I had my air con system checked and re-gassed professionally last week for £50, and he came to the house to do it.

[A80Avant]

i found someone locally that does it for 65 + 25 for bacterial extermination!. was thinking whether this is an alternative, although i admit 15gpb difference is not a big deal

[AndyP]

When he did mine he first pressuised it with Nitrogen to check for leaks, then did a vacuum test to check for leaks and also to purge the system. Then he re-filled it with gas and oil and check it was all working as it should, took about an hour all in. Great value as I now have ice cold air for the 'summer'!!
I'd pay the extra £15 and get it done properly, especially if your going back to Greece this summer.

[A80Avant]

ah no, im not taking the car back to greece for at least another 2 years, so its only to keep the system working a bit for the 'hot' summer UK days! haha

[johne]

It's not worth it because if your A/C is empty you'll need more than one of these containers to refill it so it will cost you a fortune.

This product is fine for topping up - but not at this price! If you look online you'll find it much cheaper - if we were lucky enough to live in the US you could buy it for around £8!

At the moment my local ATS are doing an A/C regass for £39. I'd try and find somewhere like that and go there.

John

[A80Avant]

i see. thanks for the input guys!

[s2driveruk]

yup paid £49 for the a6 to be done as per Andy's note and £55 for my 3b S2 to be regased after a nitrogen leak test and vac prior to a fill of RS24

[PaulJ]

does anyone know where exactly is the correct place to fill an empty system,
Port on compressor
Port in passenger footwell
Port next to heat exchanger

[A80Avant]

people say it should be the low pressure port and that is on the compressor. However mine has always been gassed through the high pressure side(at the condenser) without issues

[johne]

does anyone know where exactly is the correct place to fill an empty system,
Port on compressor
Port in passenger footwell
Port next to heat exchanger

Depends on what you're using to refill.

If it's a top-up can then it'll come with a low side connector which will mean you have to use the footwell port or the compressor port (if the port on your compressor is compatible). To use a top-can on the high side port on the condensor radiator you'll need a high to low adaptor and must NOT run the engine whatever it says on the can. (The pressure on the high side if you're running the system will make the can explode)

If its a full garage A/C recharge system, it would normally connect to both the high and low side ports but many can be used on the high side port only - which is the easy one to get onto.

For more detail see http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45221

[A80Avant]

Damn, apperantly i have a leak from the hose that goes from the dryer through the wheel arch towards the ac unit in the cabin. The metal hose was touching the spring and it perished it!

its either no AC for me in the UK (not really needed) or organise a full redo on the hoses. The guy who came told me as well that the dryers tend to get their screws seized over the years and i may end up needing a new dryer as well... grrrr

then again i knew this day would come at some point... A/C has never been touched on this car for repairs so...

[A80Avant]

second damn, each one of these pipes costs more than 100GBP!!!! + 100 for the drier!!! this sucks. I hope i can have these pipes made rather than having to buy them from audi...

[AndyP]

Dryer is £33 from Euro Car Parts

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Audi_RS2_2.2_1995/p/Car-Parts/Cooling-and-Heating/Air-Conditioning/Accumulators-and-Receiver-Driers

[A80Avant]

ah thats nice...