Q.
How long does it take?
A. Anything from 20 minutes to an hour depending on weather your
car needs a full aircon service or a simple re-gas.
Q. How often should my aircon system
be fully serviced?
A. Every 18 months to 2 years to ensure it operates at maximum efficiency.
If you let the system run low on refrigerant the compressor has
to work twice as hard and will therefore wear out in half the time.
Q. How often should I use the aircon
in my car?
A. At least once a week on hot or cold depending on the outside
temperature. This will ensure that the rubber seals and gaskets
in your system don't dry out and crack thereby causing leaks. Contrary
to popular belief it does not greatly reduce your mpg.
Q. When I switch on my aircon I get
a smelly 'pong' inside the car, what causes it and how do I get
rid of it?
A. It's micro organisms that collect on the evaporator behind the
dashboard and the fan blows these nasties into your face causing
allergic reactions, coughs, sneezes and sore throats. A full service
will kill them off.
Q. There are aircon gas 'top-up' kits
for sale in motorists shops, how good are they and should I consider
using them?
A. Don't use them for two reasons.
1. They are potentially dangerous and you could injure yourself.
2. Your aircon system will contain moisture and contaminants that
you will re-circulate throughout all the aircon pipes and components
which are left behind by these but we will remove them.
Q. Why does my car aircon system run
low on refrigerant?
A. All the pipes and connections on your aircon system are naturally
slightly porous so you lose anything up to 20% of the gas every
year due to natural leakage.
Q. If the gas leaks into the passenger compartment of my car can
it be dangerous?
A. No, the modern refrigerant is called R134a; it’s not harmful
to health and is not an explosive gas. It is also environmentally
friendly unlike the old refrigerant gas R12 which was phased out
from 1993.
