swisstonihasher

02 scooby, I've let all the a/c out of my system removing manifold. How can I recharge it without garage visit and what kit can you use from where?

andy-m

iTrader: (1)

Halfords do AC recharge kits for about £50. (I got one last summer)
keep the gauge and tube from it n the next time you only need to buy the top up bottle which is then cheaper.

they also do small leak detector kits, basicaly a small bottle with R134 and some red dye so you can visualy inspect for leaks

Rally fan 555

iTrader: (7)

I'm in a similar position mine needs recharging after a rebuild, is tha halfords kit any good, does it perform well when done ?

maydew

iTrader: (9)

at that price of halfords i would take it to an air con shop as cost about the same least you know its done right plus the car needs to be running to charge it anyway.

my94wrx

iTrader: (4)

the car doesn't have to be run to charge it up, as for using the halfords charge kit i wouldn't bother as for a start how do when you have enough gas in there? being as it goes on weight, you would need 2 halfords cans as you system needs 500grams +/- 50gramms.

mmcd87

iTrader: (1)

I used http://www.kwik-fit.com/about-air-conditioning.asp with my last car, and although I would never usually use them I have to admit the guy did a great job in this case - completely flushed and regassed. Was under £50 too I think? Worth a phonecall anyway.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

i am no air con expert just what i seen when i been to have it topped up.

can this only be done with a digital type machine ?

my94wrx

iTrader: (4)

some people do run them when re gassing to try a speed it up, the halfords kit should only really be used as a top up although a lot of air con specialsits don't like it as it contains a sealant which can knacker their kit,
most of the new stuff is digital but alot of the equipment still around is fully analogue.

swisstonihasher

Thanks guys, will phone a couple of local garages as that doesn't sound a bad price...

andy-m

iTrader: (1)

to answer some of the above, when i first used the halfords kit, my system was practicaly empty.
i didnt even have enough charge in the system for the clutch on the A/C pump to engage.
The system has to be topped up while the engine is running. yes, you dont know how much by weight you are putting in, but the kit comes with a pressure gauge and works on reaching the correct running pressure to know when you have enough charge in the system.
And yes £50 for an A/C charge kit does make some people think they would be better off going to an A/C specialist to have it done, but as i said in my original post, £50 gets you the kit which consists of bottle, gauge and filling tube. keep the gauge and tube and next time you only need to buy the bottle (which was something like £25 last time i looked). only financialy worth it if you have to top it up again in a year or two and havent lost the kit !

I am due to swap the A/C pump n rad etc over from my old car to my wagon soon and i'll use the halfords kit again.

bobby chang

I paid £30 to an engineer who service my company's refrigerated vans, twice a year, so I know when i will need him, if any of your friends or someone you know who's doing these sort of work would be helpful.