Environment vs Air Con?

[MrHankey]

The surf went in for her first service today at JEM Service. Was slightly peeved that they had told me to get it there for 7.00am for an early start only to be told at 12:30pm that they had "just started looking at it now" but the 10% off for being a member of the forum made up for that. They didnt find anything much wrong - replaced front brake pads and brake fluid, changed cam belt (at my request) and carried out an "A Class Service" . Final bill £737 (with the 10% discount). Only thing they said they couldnt do tho was to look at the air con (which i knew didnt work). They said they wernt able to test the air con system as the vehicle uses R12 gas. This gas is only available to specialists due to the environmental damage it causes! Anyone know anything about this? Obviously i dont want to damage the planet but neither do i want to fry in the summer (no sun roof either). Is there a more environmentally friendly gas that can be used as a replacement or would i need to change the whole air con system? How much spondoolies am i looking at?

[Vagrant No2]

The surf went in for her first service today at JEM Service. Was slightly peeved that they had told me to get it there for 7.00am for an early start only to be told at 12:30pm that they had "just started looking at it now" but the 10% off for being a member of the forum made up for that. They didnt find anything much wrong - replaced front brake pads and brake fluid, changed cam belt (at my request) and carried out an "A Class Service" . Final bill £737 (with the 10% discount). Only thing they said they couldnt do tho was to look at the air con (which i knew didnt work). They said they wernt able to test the air con system as the vehicle uses R12 gas. This gas is only available to specialists due to the environmental damage it causes! Anyone know anything about this? Obviously i dont want to damage the planet but neither do i want to fry in the summer (no sun roof either). Is there a more environmentally friendly gas that can be used as a replacement or would i need to change the whole air con system? How much spondoolies am i looking at?

Jem normally use a guy down in Hendon . I will check this out for you as they normally give good advise .

Rick

[MrHankey]

Cheers Vagrant

They did mention they had a number to call, but thought i would pass it by you lot first as this is where the experts are - this forum is a real diamond resource!

[rubblebags]

The surf went in for her first service today at JEM Service. Was slightly peeved that they had told me to get it there for 7.00am for an early start only to be told at 12:30pm that they had "just started looking at it now" but the 10% off for being a member of the forum made up for that. They didnt find anything much wrong - replaced front brake pads and brake fluid, changed cam belt (at my request) and carried out an "A Class Service" . Final bill £737 (with the 10% discount). Only thing they said they couldnt do tho was to look at the air con (which i knew didnt work). They said they wernt able to test the air con system as the vehicle uses R12 gas. This gas is only available to specialists due to the environmental damage it causes! Anyone know anything about this? Obviously i dont want to damage the planet but neither do i want to fry in the summer (no sun roof either). Is there a more environmentally friendly gas that can be used as a replacement or would i need to change the whole air con system? How much spondoolies am i looking at?

Hi Mr Hankey
log onto members list find the aircon doctor and pm or email him.

Geoff

[Koi]

yes it may have had R12 in it which is no longer used, R134a is used to refill the system somewhere in the region of 750gms should be about right.

[MrHankey]

Cheers Koi

Also a very big CHEERS to whoever it was that arranged for us to get the discount - just worked out that saved me about £80!!! Whoever it was can collect a few beer tokens from me if they are going to Uxbridge.

[Koi]

Also a very big CHEERS to whoever it was that arranged for us to get the discount - just worked out that saved me about £80!!! Whoever it was can collect a few beer tokens from me if they are going to Uxbridge.

Beer tokens loverly jubbly

[MrHankey]

Ah ha

Found the air con doc and will be heading down to Cornwall in the near future as we are moving to the Scilly Isles in a couple of months - will give them a ring thanks!

[Rob]

yes it may have had R12 in it which is no longer used, R134a is used to refill the system somewhere in the region of 750gms should be about right.

I thought the only 'drop-in' replacement/compatible gas for R12 systems was RS24. I think you can get R12 systems properly converted to use R134a by flushing the system and changing the valves etc but it's more expensive. R134a is usually used by the factory in newer systems.
I dunno, probably wrong as that was all off the top of my head.

[Vagrant No2]

I thought the only 'drop-in' replacement/compatible gas for R12 systems was RS24. I think you can get R12 systems properly converted to use R134a by flushing the system and changing the valves etc but it's more expensive. R134a is usually used by the factory in newer systems.
I dunno, probably wrong as that was all off the top of my head.

I know some systems have to be modified but not sure which ones . Like you say Rob , valves and bits .Can cost upto £500 .
Average straight regas £75 - £120

Rick

[Rob]

Found the post I was thinking of...
http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/forums/sho...highlight=rs24

[kitesurf_phil]

I just happened to mention my air con to the local ice cream man. He said, "Bring it to the workshop."They regassed it for £45.00. Only problem now is if I blow the horn it plays Popeye The Sailor Man.

[Dexter]

AFAIK R12 and R134a are not mixable, if you switch to R134a you will need to purge and clean the system of R12 completly, i think its down to the differences in oil. Using R134a will also reduce the cooling capacity.

something that also should be remembered is if your low on gas, it means you have a leak... there's little point regassing it as you'll only lose it again.

[MrHankey]

Quick update

Hi all just thought i woulod update you. JEM very kindly gave me the number of the people they use for air con things and i have arranged with them for a free diagnostic on Friday (yup i said free!).When i spoke to the chap tho he said he was 90% sure it would be the condensor and they dont do them. I used an online scrap merchant thingy (thanks to Rob for the link to that thread) and have found one for £60 from Furber Bros but couldnt verify it was the right one (partly due to my ignorance and partly due to the chap at Furbers saying "i dunno its covered in grease" in answer to my questions) hahaha... Anyway will hang on till Friday and the diagnostic to see what to do next! If the condensor at Furber Bro's is gone by the time i need it i will know where to start looking for the culprit!! ;-)

[kitesurf_phil]

From what I have learned about air con losing gas pressure doesnt necessarily mean there is a leak in the system. Apparantly the seals can dry out, due to lack of use, which is why you are supposed to run the air con for at least 20 mins per week throughout the winter months.