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Air Con Issue, Not working


Siye-ZS
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So my air con is not working in my 2013 focus. So iv went under the bonnet looked for splits in the piping etc and couldnt see anything. I used my key to push down valve where you can re-gas the aircon and a very tiny bit of gas came out then nothing. So the issue is obviously no gas in the system.

My question is, can you loose gas without the being a leak. i NEVER really use aircon, but with the condensation in the mornings im sure it will clear my windows quicker. Is there a leak somewhere, there was a little bit of gas, 1 second worth? Would just regassing it be fine? Or is there a definate leak somewhere? Iv heard if you dont use aircon you can loose gas? Not sure on anything aircon related.

 

Thanks

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5 hours ago, Siye-ZS said:

So my air con is not working in my 2013 focus. So iv went under the bonnet looked for splits in the piping etc and couldnt see anything. I used my key to push down valve where you can re-gas the aircon and a very tiny bit of gas came out then nothing. So the issue is obviously no gas in the system.

My question is, can you loose gas without the being a leak. i NEVER really use aircon, but with the condensation in the mornings im sure it will clear my windows quicker. Is there a leak somewhere, there was a little bit of gas, 1 second worth? Would just regassing it be fine? Or is there a definate leak somewhere? Iv heard if you dont use aircon you can loose gas? Not sure on anything aircon related.

 

Thanks

The AC gas is under massive pressure, even a microscopic gap could be enough to gradually leak the system dry.  Also it's wise to run the AC for 5 mins once a month (or so) as cycling the system contents stops the rubber seals from perishing and the contents leaking out.  The refill kits from Halfords and such like are frankly a bit crap IMHO, seeing as most places that regas AC do it for about £30-£35 (there is pretty much always an offer on Groupon for one of the big chain to refill and clean the system for less than £35) if you're going to refill the system I'd be taking that route rather than the refill kit.  Also if you do go to have the system professionally recharged they will do a mandatory pressure test before proceeding, if you have a significant leak this should flag up and the recharge won't proceed (in this instance if you have taken a Groupon offer or similar you can get the cost of the coupon refunded due to the vehicle not passing the pressure test).

If you do have a leak (as seems likely if you have so little gas in the system) it might be wiser to have the root cause identified and fixed, although you could just get the system refilled and see if it drains itself again.

Incidentally, when you press the AC button on the dash does it illuminate and does the engine fan fire up?

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I'd be surprised if you lost all the gas in 4 years without a leak, they all lose a bit but not that much.  Stone through the condenser would be my guess on a fairly new car.  But depending on how long it's been like that, the seals are probably dry now and there'll be moisture in the system.  I agree with Damian, it needs to be vacuum tested which will also remove any moisture at the same time, and then a conditioner put in with the gas which should revive the seals and stop any minor leaks - assuming the vac test doesn't show a major leak.  I have used the Halfords can myself but wouldn't recommend it and probably wouldn't use it again tbh.

Also, the quickclear screen is far more effective at clearing condensation on a cold window, I don't use the AC in winter myself.

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8 hours ago, 1979Damian said:

The AC gas is under massive pressure, even a microscopic gap could be enough to gradually leak the system dry.  Also it's wise to run the AC for 5 mins once a month (or so) as cycling the system contents stops the rubber seals from perishing and the contents leaking out.  The refill kits from Halfords and such like are frankly a bit crap IMHO, seeing as most places that regas AC do it for about £30-£35 (there is pretty much always an offer on Groupon for one of the big chain to refill and clean the system for less than £35) if you're going to refill the system I'd be taking that route rather than the refill kit.  Also if you do go to have the system professionally recharged they will do a mandatory pressure test before proceeding, if you have a significant leak this should flag up and the recharge won't proceed (in this instance if you have taken a Groupon offer or similar you can get the cost of the coupon refunded due to the vehicle not passing the pressure test).

If you do have a leak (as seems likely if you have so little gas in the system) it might be wiser to have the root cause identified and fixed, although you could just get the system refilled and see if it drains itself again.

Incidentally, when you press the AC button on the dash does it illuminate and does the engine fan fire up?

Thanks for the reply, i do have a halfrauds round the corner so i think this is the easiest option for me and iv heard if it doesnt work you get it for free. The AC button lights up yes, i never hear the AC fan since i got the car even when it was working? Atleast im sure i couldnt hear it. Maybe im wrong. I hope there is not more than just the gas being wrong with it. But like i said i never really did use it, except from trying it in summer and it wouldnt blow cold.
 

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6 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I'd be surprised if you lost all the gas in 4 years without a leak, they all lose a bit but not that much.  Stone through the condenser would be my guess on a fairly new car.  But depending on how long it's been like that, the seals are probably dry now and there'll be moisture in the system.  I agree with Damian, it needs to be vacuum tested which will also remove any moisture at the same time, and then a conditioner put in with the gas which should revive the seals and stop any minor leaks - assuming the vac test doesn't show a major leak.  I have used the Halfords can myself but wouldn't recommend it and probably wouldn't use it again tbh.

Also, the quickclear screen is far more effective at clearing condensation on a cold window, I don't use the AC in winter myself.

I know nothing about the AC system which part is the condenser, where is it located? Will i need to buy this part? I know where the piping and stuff is. I have the ST front end on my car and the grill is way more open than the other bumpers (honeycomb grill has lots of gaps). Which i image could allow stones to get there on the motorway etc. So im best to get myself to Halfords and get it done there? I wouldnt use them, however they are litterally 5 minute drive from me so its ideal.

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5 hours ago, iantt said:

Condenser will have a small hole.

Which part is this, will it need replacing/repaired?

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Condenser is at the front, looks like a radiator, as someone mentioned, have a look on groupon, ATS are offering a regas via the groupon website for £28.

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replacing. it will need diagnosing properly but my bet is on the condensor. ive done a few.

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3 minutes ago, iantt said:

replacing. it will need diagnosing properly but my bet is on the condensor. ive done a few.

14 minutes ago, kingsblue said:

Condenser is at the front, looks like a radiator, as someone mentioned, have a look on groupon, ATS are offering a regas via the groupon website for £28.

So whats my first course of action without spending unnecessary money? Go for the re-gas first and see where the leak is then proceed from there? Obviously if the condenser is done for, im wasting my money right? Iv just checked Groupon and the closest place it an hours drive from me. Is Halfords really that bad? Its just round the corner.

 

 

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garage shouldnt regas a car if they suspect a leak is present. they can use various means to find a leak. safest is compressed nitrogen gas. 

just take it to an air con specialist if you have one locally or a good garage. 

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15 hours ago, Siye-ZS said:

So my air con is not working in my 2013 focus. So iv went under the bonnet looked for splits in the piping etc and couldnt see anything. I used my key to push down valve where you can re-gas the aircon and a very tiny bit of gas came out then nothing. So the issue is obviously no gas in the system.

My question is, can you loose gas without the being a leak. i NEVER really use aircon, but with the condensation in the mornings im sure it will clear my windows quicker. Is there a leak somewhere, there was a little bit of gas, 1 second worth? Would just regassing it be fine? Or is there a definate leak somewhere? Iv heard if you dont use aircon you can loose gas? Not sure on anything aircon related.

 

Thanks

had the same on my mk2.5,air con packed in 3 days after a regard, really strange thing, little came out when I pressed myself thought I'd got a massive leak, 

took the car to another garage 2 months ago for them to do a leak test and regass, found no leak, found there to still be gas in the system although not full (1 year after 1st regass) so they refilled the system and it's been fine ever since. leak test and re-gas cost £45 inc vat from a local independent garage.

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1 hour ago, antward91 said:

had the same on my mk2.5,air con packed in 3 days after a regard, really strange thing, little came out when I pressed myself thought I'd got a massive leak, 

took the car to another garage 2 months ago for them to do a leak test and regass, found no leak, found there to still be gas in the system although not full (1 year after 1st regass) so they refilled the system and it's been fine ever since. leak test and re-gas cost £45 inc vat from a local independent garage.

 

2 hours ago, iantt said:

garage shouldnt regas a car if they suspect a leak is present. they can use various means to find a leak. safest is compressed nitrogen gas. 

just take it to an air con specialist if you have one locally or a good garage. 

Thanks guys, ill get it looked at maybe tomorrow and see how it goes. Cheers

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