It's got a leak (no shit).

Even a German car should hold pressure for more than 18 months.

The Prelude gurgles like an old fridge (either that or there's a monster in the glovebox) but it's ancient and the aircon still cools.

 

The Passat aircon is very dodgy. They're known for iffy compressors but as its leased I cant be arsed with it.

Run it regularly. There is oil in the refrigerent that needs circulation.
Often there is a graphite bush/seal on the compressor shaft, if this dries out and you turn it on, its inclined to damage the seal and you lose gas.

 

Never bother turning mine off & havent on any cars, cars with enough power dont notice the loss as much as little 60bhp machines. Or am I 100% clueless as in most things mechanical?!

Only exception is when I remember to if I put the roof down but thats usually mid way through the journey.

 

Bloomin' German cars! Oh well - better prepare myself for yet more expense! Is there any reason why my local Honda dealer wouldn't be able to check out the air con system on a beemer? Their labour rates should be a little easier on the pocket!!

 

What you want to find out is the number of the guy who comes to the dealers to do the air-con work.

Dealers almost never do this work themselves and bring someone external in. They then charge you the external guy's rate plus their mark up.

 

I didn't know that Bassoctopus!

Anyone know of someone in the Berkshire area?

 

Shall we fire up a virtual desktop there and I'll just type it in Google for ya?

:-)

 

Heh heh! I always like to use people who have been recommended - there are a few cowboys out there you know!

 

My dad used to run a large butchers business. His fridge engineer used to do the A/C on our cars (the same guy also contracted the local Merc, VW, BMW, Nissan etc etc dealers).

I only stopped using him when I got the S2000 as it hasnt needed regassing in the 4.5 years I've owned it.