WS Fiesta - Aircon maintenance

[Ms_Jam]

I was just reading the comment from "The Mechanic" at the bottom of this article:

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/t...724-zvhwu.html

My interest was in his remarks about air conditioning, "Evacuate and replenish air-conditioning refrigerant at least every three years..."

What do you think?

Where is a good place in Melbourne to have it done?

[danzvtil]

Rubbish. Expensive and not needed. Your AC shouldn't need touching until it stops working.

[Ms_Jam]

The reason I raised the subject was that a relative of mine had her vehicle's air-conditioner die after only 90,000 km. I have done 75,000 km.

Also I noticed in the comment by "The Mechanic" that, "the refrigerant contains the oil that lubricates the compressor and keeps the seals in good condition".

Is that true?

[Franco Cozzo]

The A/C compressor on my WS is getting noisy, but I'm just going to wait until it stops working.

Its a sealed system, the only time it leaks is when something gives out.

Oil is added to the system when you charge up the AC to keep it all lubricated.

Mine has around 50,000km on the clock.

[DRU842]

Originally Posted by Ms_Jam

Also I noticed in the comment by "The Mechanic" that, "the refrigerant contains the oil that lubricates the compressor and keeps the seals in good condition".

Is that true?

It's a good idea to run the air conditioner regularly throughout the summer & winter (with the heater on) to ensure everything is kept lubricated.

[Davehoos]

the old story of drive it till it dies then trade it in.

MY BF has 210 000K original never touched.
My current AU has 250K aprox and was done years before I got it. and could do with a filter and gas.

These are accumulator systems and 5 years or if it requires major surgery.or longer is normal.

I worked for years till last decade doing annual services for a living and 3 years 60K sounds about a good rule of thumb. till the car gets older.

have less trouble with bigger high milage cars than little cars.Cars from this decade just leave turned on.

now since uncle peter made it cost loads more to service the vehicle--just look at the cars with the windows down.

[Franco Cozzo]

If you approach an auto electrical shop which does A/C work they'll BS you and tell you it needs to be done every year to try get money out of you, oldest trick in the book .

[Ms_Jam]

My apologies for revisiting this subject.

My (WS) aircon has not died. It has now just given up cooling very much!

Any ideas on what I should do? Is re-gassing an option?

If so, any recommendations of a place in Melbourne to get it done? Northern suburbs are preferred, but anywhere professional will do.

[Ms_Jam]

I now have posted a longer version of my question in General Tech.

[Franco Cozzo]

Macedon Ranges Auto Electrics in New Gisborne do a lot of A/C work, I can PM you their details if you are willing to take the trip out to Gisborne?