Hi
Just had the airconditioning checked at Halfords - was going to get it regassed (£70), but they said that although the solenoid engaged when the compressor was turned on, it didn't pump the gas around the system enough to regas it. Said it might be a blockage or something. It does seem to change the engine revs sound when I switch the AC on.
I was wondering if those symptoms sounded familiar to anyone - or does anyone know a good AC garage near Bracknell, Berkshire? Thanks! - (#660) Jim Snowden, 26 Jul 01

Oops, also meant to ask - where is the compressor pump located?! - (#661) Jim Snowden, 26 Jul 01

Compressors' under the injection pump.
If the gas is too low, the compressor might cut out... - (#662) David Miller, 26 Jul 01

Thanks for the pointer David.
If the gas is too low, the compressor might cut out...
Halfords said they couldn't get new gas in because the compressor wasn't working. Does the compressor need to be the thing that pumps in the new gas? Hope not otherwise sounds like a catch-22!
Jim - (#663) Jim Snowden, 26 Jul 01

Unless they start metering the pressure switches, they'll never know.Anyway, it's normal to evacuate the gas to weigh it, rather than adding more just in case...
The gas is forced in to the low side of the system, BTW.
Low pressure= no compressor!! - (#666) David Miller, 26 Jul 01

Yes, I guess I'll take it to get it done properly at an air-conditioning garage! It was just handy with halfords being almost next door and them having a special offer of 20% off regassing.
But I think they were just trying to top up what was there rather than extracting what was there! And perhaps they were trying to fill it through the high pressure inlet. - (#667) Jim Snowden, 26 Jul 01

Brief followup - phoned up a mobile air conditioning man today from Yellow Pages and he came around and dried out the system (deep vac) and refilled with 1200g R134A (mine is a newer 95 townace and it is using that gas already). £100.
Not the cheapest I've seen, but he seemed quick and friendly enough. Southern Air Con in Slough tel
01753 820772. His wife used to have a space cruiser so he knows a bit about its air con unit.
He said it might need regassing in 18months or so. - (#698) Jim Snowden, 30 Jul 01