Air con re-gas?

[vr6mike]

Assuming my car needs a re gas as it blows air but it's not cold. Just wanted to double check before i got it sorted. Any recommendations as to how much or somewhere to get it done or is it just a matter of wherever it's cheaper, bout $2-300?
cheers!

[runamuk]

Not sure that the fact it blows air means it just needs a re-gas. Mine blows air too, but I think I need a new compressor.

[The_Hawk]

Many places will check your system for free and let you know whats what. Many provide a basic service and pressure test for about a $100 fee.

Depends on who you go to, some use a gas with a coloured die in it, basically they pump it in, see if it comes out, then if it does they suck all the gas back out and go from there. If not, they have just gassed your system

In my case the compressor comes on and it's cool for a few seconds but then it turns off, not sure why, but it does. Will have to spend some more time (and money) getting someone to try and figure out why. If there is one thing you need in a black car with black leather seats it's air con, although for the moment windows down has been enough... but not for much longer I don't think.

Where about are you located so people can maybe provide some suggested air con people?

[DubSteve]

Mike where abouts are you mate? There are many places you can do it though!

[vr6mike]

I'm near Randwick, and work In St. Leonards. Bought the car with the A/C never working so not sure what the problem is. Mine's black with black cloth so pretty hot as well! cheers guys!

[bboyskidz]

i'm in the same boat... blows air - just not cold. I'm going to have a look at a number of things including the aircon on the weekend to see what could be causing it.

is there anyone that does air-con in the north sydney/central coast area that people here can reccomend?

[Golf Loon]

Regass should be $70-100. Make sure they put in the tracer dye or you will be none the wiser.

Compressor failiure is common on these cars. I havent sold a compressor for 86 months, but have been stockpiling them. Call me if you need to people.

[Jmac]

If the compressor is cutting in and out you have too much gas in the system. Over charge causes this. Also check that your fans are working when you switch the system on. If not what is happening is that the condensor gets too hot thus pressure rises and the high pressure switch shuts the sytem down. It cools down again and the compressor cuts in again and so and so forth. Check ya fans mate and no harm getting a set of gauges hooked up to check your sytem pressure.
CHeers

[bombsquad21]

My Polo compressor died and replacement was $1000, I couldn't source a second hand one. My Golf wasn't blowing cold due to an i'll fitting a/c hose (the gas has to escape somehow) and cost me $150 to rectify. That was very cheap though..In Qld they have introduced new legislation that makes it illegal to install gas into a gas into a leaking a/c system. In my opinion many
A/C specialists are crooks! buyer beware..

[Jmac]

Totally agree gas and go guys mate. I am looking into setting up for myself for next season and you are right i believe its a national legislation now mate. But yeah Gas and Go Crooks

[Jmac]

if you have a leak you do not need to fully gas the system you half fill and half with nitrogen same difference reach your pressure and check for UV or sniffer test then evac the sytem and fix the bugga

[Golfer]

A little Mk3 air-con advice, and a recollection of my A/C pain!

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=2632&highlight=pain+thread

Enjoy!!!
JHN

[The_Hawk]

If the compressor is cutting in and out you have too much gas in the system. Over charge causes this. Also check that your fans are working when you switch the system on. If not what is happening is that the condensor gets too hot thus pressure rises and the high pressure switch shuts the sytem down. It cools down again and the compressor cuts in again and so and so forth. Check ya fans mate and no harm getting a set of gauges hooked up to check your sytem pressure.
CHeers

My fans are screwy or at least the control for them is, High speed is now by manual switch otherwise it's full on all the time. BUT I do turn it on whenever I turn on the AC so it shouldn't be a factor.

As for an overgassed system, hey it could be. The guys who looked at mine last time said they can't really do a service in Winter since in the cold the system never presurises properly so they said to bring it back when it's warmer.... so about now Will work it out eventually in my case even if it means replacing the whole system

[beancounter]

Just had my A/C done.. the details of the original problem are on another post.. new compressor, hoses and regas for just under $1000. after market compressor, but seems to work well.. hopefully the non genuine bits will last the distance..

[pommy_golfer]

Beancounter,

can you give us details of the aftermarket compressor and the price please

I am interested to find out where you got it from and part number.

is it a direct fit?

did you do it yourself? and if so how hard was it?

thanks

Thierry