Air con woes - what would Jesus, or er, you do?
24 April 2011, 10:04 AM
#1
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Air con woes - what would Jesus, or er, you do?
In this recent hot weather I decided to whack on the air con on my bug. Nadda. Not remotely cold.
Decided to get a re-charge as figured all the gas must have leaked out - odd as it was only recharged 7 months ago, but gave it a go anyway.
Took it to the main dealer as they were the same price as the fast fits, and are much friendlier.
As suspected, no gas. Filled it up, and there were no leaks. Odd. The only explanation is when the clutch was changed and the garage took the engine out, they must have somehow opened the system and let it all out. Worrying as I don't think it's particularly nice stuf.
Anyhow, air con on and no worky. The pimp has seized and is no longer working.
Subaru said it was a £300 part plus labour
However, they had a newage engine in that had a blown head gasket that they were robbing parts from (the previous owner got a new engine and didn't want the old one), so offered me the pump from that for £100. They think they should be able to fit it within an hour, so £75 labour (ouch) and wouldn't charge me to drain the system and re-gas.
Having driven around the last couple of days without it, I know I need it back!
I'd do the work myself if it wasn't for re gas side of things.
Does this spun like a rip off, or a good price? Are there any other options?
Thanks!
Decided to get a re-charge as figured all the gas must have leaked out - odd as it was only recharged 7 months ago, but gave it a go anyway.
Took it to the main dealer as they were the same price as the fast fits, and are much friendlier.
As suspected, no gas. Filled it up, and there were no leaks. Odd. The only explanation is when the clutch was changed and the garage took the engine out, they must have somehow opened the system and let it all out. Worrying as I don't think it's particularly nice stuf.
Anyhow, air con on and no worky. The pimp has seized and is no longer working.
Subaru said it was a £300 part plus labour
However, they had a newage engine in that had a blown head gasket that they were robbing parts from (the previous owner got a new engine and didn't want the old one), so offered me the pump from that for £100. They think they should be able to fit it within an hour, so £75 labour (ouch) and wouldn't charge me to drain the system and re-gas.
Having driven around the last couple of days without it, I know I need it back!
I'd do the work myself if it wasn't for re gas side of things.
Does this spun like a rip off, or a good price? Are there any other options?
Thanks!
24 April 2011, 10:08 AM
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The only confusing thing to me is why is the air con pump on this guy's old engine. Generally when a dealer or anyone fits a new engine the aircon pump would be transplanted from the old to the new... it isn't part of the engine!!! Sounds weird to me, but prices seem OK.
Having said that if they drained your system when they did your clutch aren't they at least part way responsible for the pump having seized anyway?
Having said that if they drained your system when they did your clutch aren't they at least part way responsible for the pump having seized anyway?
24 April 2011, 10:09 AM
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Buy a seconhand pump from a breakers, fit yourself then pay for the re-gas?
Trouble is secondhand parts are always just that, secondhand!
Myself, I'd just wind the window down!
Trouble is secondhand parts are always just that, secondhand!
Myself, I'd just wind the window down!
24 April 2011, 10:43 AM
#6
Why do people remove their air-con? 
I mean, fair enough if you're racing and you need to shave .05secs off your lap time or something but come on! A lot of people seem to do it on road cars? I just don't get it, it's so hot at the moment and it's a must for me on days like yesterday when I get back in the car with the family and it's roasting.
But then again I guess people that remove it might just be 'northerners' so you're probably better off selling it and investing in a new jumper anyway
I mean, fair enough if you're racing and you need to shave .05secs off your lap time or something but come on! A lot of people seem to do it on road cars? I just don't get it, it's so hot at the moment and it's a must for me on days like yesterday when I get back in the car with the family and it's roasting.
But then again I guess people that remove it might just be 'northerners' so you're probably better off selling it and investing in a new jumper anyway
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24 April 2011, 10:52 AM
#8
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Why do people remove their air-con?
I mean, fair enough if you're racing and you need to shave .05secs off your lap time or something but come on! A lot of people seem to do it on road cars? I just don't get it, it's so hot at the moment and it's a must for me on days like yesterday when I get back in the car with the family and it's roasting.
But then again I guess people that remove it might just be 'northerners' so you're probably better off selling it and investing in a new jumper anyway
I mean, fair enough if you're racing and you need to shave .05secs off your lap time or something but come on! A lot of people seem to do it on road cars? I just don't get it, it's so hot at the moment and it's a must for me on days like yesterday when I get back in the car with the family and it's roasting.
But then again I guess people that remove it might just be 'northerners' so you're probably better off selling it and investing in a new jumper anyway
24 April 2011, 11:06 AM
#10
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Lol, you have to be Charles Bronson to drive with the windows down at that speed. I find the normal blowers are getting back on song over 70 not that I go past such speeds much. I'm not PC either, once I hear the boost on the motorway in 5th creeping up on me I cringe at the cost.
24 April 2011, 11:10 AM
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My A/C pump is also on it's way out but I'll be replacing it not junking it - fuel economy is not an issue - the A/C will use far less fuel than driving with windows open does!
Only reason I toyed with removing the A/C was to make it easier to fit the oil cooler! If you're that worried about weight do you fill you tank to the brim each time? Run with the screen wash at minimum? Make sure all the glove box etc. is empty? Take out the back/passenger seat if you don't have passengers?
Only reason I toyed with removing the A/C was to make it easier to fit the oil cooler! If you're that worried about weight do you fill you tank to the brim each time? Run with the screen wash at minimum? Make sure all the glove box etc. is empty? Take out the back/passenger seat if you don't have passengers?
24 April 2011, 11:18 AM
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My A/C pump is also on it's way out but I'll be replacing it not junking it - fuel economy is not an issue - the A/C will use far less fuel than driving with windows open does!
Only reason I toyed with removing the A/C was to make it easier to fit the oil cooler! If you're that worried about weight do you fill you tank to the brim each time? Run with the screen wash at minimum? Make sure all the glove box etc. is empty? Take out the back/passenger seat if you don't have passengers?
Only reason I toyed with removing the A/C was to make it easier to fit the oil cooler! If you're that worried about weight do you fill you tank to the brim each time? Run with the screen wash at minimum? Make sure all the glove box etc. is empty? Take out the back/passenger seat if you don't have passengers?
A/C uses shed loads of fuel.
And " I AM NOT TAKING IT OUT TO SAVE WEIGHT "
I am removing it to reverse my inlet manifold....
well worth loosing the air-con for my bad 
24 April 2011, 11:27 AM
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Check the fuel economy research, Driving with open windows actually increases fuel consumption a massive amount as the aerodynamics of the car are greatly compromised.
Reversing inlet is a good idea to reduce lag by an inperceptable amount however not worth it imho unless you are creating a pure track toy, as I have a 4 year old and a wife no A/C is definitely a downside - I'm quite happy with the boost response on my 2.5 thank you!
Reversing inlet is a good idea to reduce lag by an inperceptable amount however not worth it imho unless you are creating a pure track toy, as I have a 4 year old and a wife no A/C is definitely a downside - I'm quite happy with the boost response on my 2.5 thank you!
24 April 2011, 11:30 AM
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24 April 2011, 11:32 AM
#19
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Check the fuel economy research, Driving with open windows actually increases fuel consumption a massive amount as the aerodynamics of the car are greatly compromised.
Reversing inlet is a good idea to reduce lag by an inperceptable amount however not worth it imho unless you are creating a pure track toy, as I have a 4 year old and a wife no A/C is definitely a downside - I'm quite happy with the boost response on my 2.5 thank you!
Reversing inlet is a good idea to reduce lag by an inperceptable amount however not worth it imho unless you are creating a pure track toy, as I have a 4 year old and a wife no A/C is definitely a downside - I'm quite happy with the boost response on my 2.5 thank you!
24 April 2011, 11:36 AM
#20
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As confirmed on radio 2 (therefore it must be true) under 30 and it's better to have the windows down, over thirty and the A/C is better in terms of fuel consumption.
24 April 2011, 11:56 AM
#22
Not quite sure why you have to start with personal insults it's just my opinion, it is after all a discussion forum.
24 April 2011, 12:30 PM
#25
Ah well, was supposed to be a joke hence the laughing smiley, hardly cut throat racism was it
Anyway, i might not be totally off the mark... It's a fact that the temps on average are higher in the south, so if I was somewhere in north of england where it was 22 deg I wouldn't be using air-con. On that same day it'd usually be a few degrees hotter in the south east which would probably require the use of air-con for comfort of my family
It's my mum and dad I feel sorry for, they live in co. Kerry in southern Ireland.. Spoke to them this morning and it was grey and drizzling! Seems strange when it's been so hot down in the south east for so long. Mind you, they don't get the crazy traffic and they get to have the 'ring of kerry' as their surroundings.
Anyway, i might not be totally off the mark... It's a fact that the temps on average are higher in the south, so if I was somewhere in north of england where it was 22 deg I wouldn't be using air-con. On that same day it'd usually be a few degrees hotter in the south east which would probably require the use of air-con for comfort of my family
It's my mum and dad I feel sorry for, they live in co. Kerry in southern Ireland.. Spoke to them this morning and it was grey and drizzling! Seems strange when it's been so hot down in the south east for so long. Mind you, they don't get the crazy traffic and they get to have the 'ring of kerry' as their surroundings.
24 April 2011, 12:47 PM
#28
