Aircon regas?

[jazzyb88]

Well rather predictably, with the weather being as hot as it is, I believe the aircon in my 2017 is simply not working as effectively as it should. The car is new to me and have owned it for just under 2 months.

It was purchased Approved Used from a Honda dealer so has their 12 month warranty and having looked at the terms it looks as though the cost of a regas is not covered but if there is a fault that should be.

Now I'm wondering if there's an easy way to check if the gas has leaked out due to a compressor fault or just lack of use by the previous owner and therefore the seals have dried up?

When the a/c is on I can hear a hissing sound, which in my experience suggests low gas. Also on a hot day like today, it just doesn't get ice cold.

I'm thinking it is best to just go back to the dealer and ask them to take a look, even if they charge me for a regas at least if it leaks out again I have something to go back with.

Was there any service bulletins on the compressor perhaps?

Thanks

[UKjim]

There is a known fault with the GK aircon condenser that affects some but not all cars.

Remember that in normal operation the aircon can lose up to 10-15% per annum, I had a similar problem with my GK5 early last year, I had it regassed by a mobile aircon specialist and he told me I had lost over 50% in 4 years which was not unusual. After regassing I have had no further problems but even when fully working the Jazz aircon is not as cold as some cars I have previously owned.

I would suggest you take it back to the dealer & have it checked out, I do believe if the car has full Honda service history then they will replace the condenser if it is found to be faulty. As it is under warranty it shouldn’t be a problem.

Regassing with the latest gas is around £125-£175 depending on the garage.


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[jazzyb88]

There is a known fault with the GK aircon condenser that affects some but not all cars.

Remember that in normal operation the aircon can lose up to 10-15% per annum, I had a similar problem with my GK5 early last year, I had it regassed by a mobile aircon specialist and he told me I had lost over 50% in 4 years which was not unusual. After regassing I have had no further problems but even when fully working the Jazz aircon is not as cold as some cars I have previously owned.

I would suggest you take it back to the dealer & have it checked out, I do believe if the car has full Honda service history then they will replace the condenser if it is found to be faulty. As it is under warranty it shouldn’t be a problem.

Regassing with the latest gas is around £125-£175 depending on the garage.


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Thanks for the insight and super quick reply. I'll call the dealer tomorrow morning and book it in. I don't mind paying dealership prices for the regas as it sort of shifts any fault finding onto them. Yes it has full Honda history so I'll leave it to them.

[UKjim]

There is a known fault with the GK aircon condenser that affects some but not all cars.

Remember that in normal operation the aircon can lose up to 10-15% per annum, I had a similar problem with my GK5 early last year, I had it regassed by a mobile aircon specialist and he told me I had lost over 50% in 4 years which was not unusual. After regassing I have had no further problems but even when fully working the Jazz aircon is not as cold as some cars I have previously owned.

I would suggest you take it back to the dealer & have it checked out, I do believe if the car has full Honda service history then they will replace the condenser if it is found to be faulty. As it is under warranty it shouldn’t be a problem.

Regassing with the latest gas is around £125-£175 depending on the garage.


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Thanks for the insight and super quick reply. I'll call the dealer tomorrow morning and book it in. I don't mind paying dealership prices for the regas as it sort of shifts any fault finding onto them. Yes it has full Honda history so I'll leave it to them.

Did you get anywhere with the dealer?


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[jazzyb88]

Hi Jim,

I did initially book in with the dealership but with a charge of £150 for a regas I think I'll just go with an independent. The compressor seems fine to me having checked the clutch engages properly when the a/c is switched on.

With the weather being around 22c the a/c is ice cold. I just think a top up will fix it so I'll book with an indy when I'm free on an upcoming weekend.

[UKjim]

Hi Jim,

I did initially book in with the dealership but with a charge of £150 for a regas I think I'll just go with an independent. The compressor seems fine to me having checked the clutch engages properly when the a/c is switched on.

With the weather being around 22c the a/c is ice cold. I just think a top up will fix it so I'll book with an indy when I'm free on an upcoming weekend.

It’s likely an independent will be a similar price as the new gas in use today is much more expensive than the older R134, if I remember I paid around £140-£150 last year and that was an independent.


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[Westy36]

How much? I'd be making some calls in the area if I were you. I got our Jazz recharged this year, and paid just £50. Mind that's the old gas, the newer Y1234 or whatever, will be more. Halfords will do it for £99. All garages just use a machine and leave it to it, so absolutely no point in paying more than you have to unless a Honda logo on your invoice is worth money to you!

[jazzyb88]

Yes 2017 onwards will be R1234yf and as Westy36 said I know ATS do it for £100 via Groupon so that would be my benchmark.

But if you suspect a leak, then often it is a waste of money because the fast fit outfits aren't good at diagnosing the leaks. So you will pay for a recharge that will only last a few months.

[UKjim]

I wouldn’t let ATS, Halfords et al anywhere near my car.


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[Westy36]

I wouldn’t let ATS, Halfords et al anywhere near my car.

Charging air con is simply attaching two hoses, about as complex as pumping up your tyre. I'd trust anyone to do that, and the good folk at fast fit centres are probably doing more aircon recharges than anyone else. Would you trust them to fit a new tyre? That's a much more complex process than an air con recharge.

I agree with you however with regard to more complex work however. I wouldn't use them for valve adjustment for example, but that's just my opinion. 

[UKjim]

I wouldn’t let ATS, Halfords et al anywhere near my car.

Charging air con is simply attaching two hoses, about as complex as pumping up your tyre. I'd trust anyone to do that, and the good folk at fast fit centres are probably doing more aircon recharges than anyone else. Would you trust them to fit a new tyre? That's a much more complex process than an air con recharge.

I agree with you however with regard to more complex work however. I wouldn't use them for valve adjustment for example, but that's just my opinion. 

You ask would I trust them to fit a new tyre, my answer is no, I  could tell you a few occasions when they have inflicted damage to my wheels and car but I won’t bore you.


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[Westy36]

I think I'd share your views if I'd had that experience. Not nice at all, however it's something I've ever had happen. I did once get sent our with wheels that they'd forgotten to balance, but hey, we all make mistakes!

So who do you trust to fit tyres? 

[UKjim]

A local one man band tyre fitter who treats the car & it's owner with care and respect and good prices too. He also has an Hunter alignment rig & he knows how to use it.

[jazzyb88]

Normally I'd agree with Jim's sentiments but having used my local ATS before for a recharge on my previous car, they did a good job and it was ice cold until I traded it in a few years later.

I'm going to chance it again with the Jazz - the symptoms are the same, 7 year old car, A/C is cold but not ice cold like I would have expected. I don't think there's a leak otherwise it would be warm in hot weather (it's just not as cold as I would like).

It's booked for next Thursday.

If that only fixes it for a year, then next year I'll go down the specialist route.

[UKjim]

You should be fine, my gripe with these places is associated with tyre changing and damage to wheels & jacking points, not much interaction required for Aircon servicing.


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