DIY L322 air con recharge

Hi All,

Has anyone ever done a DIY air con recharge on an L322? If so how easy was it and how's it done. I've done a few searches but can only find how to re-gas a P38.

PDA

just take it to a proper place, its only 50 quid and they do it properly!!!

you may have leaks!!

Buying the small cans from Halfrauds is a rip off.
If the gas is low, where's it gone?? Had 'Er Indoors 2000 Vectra checked a few weeks ago and it's still got the right amount of gas in it after almost 10 years. Ok I know that P38's have a load of weak points on the aircon gas side.
As Gav says, for what it costs, get a full checkover for leaks before wasting money on expensive small cans of gas, plus a ststem fill if everything is good.

gavbriggs said:

just take it to a proper place, its only 50 quid and they do it properly!!!

you may have leaks!!

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Can you recommend anywhere that do a good job the local LR dealer wanted over £100 that's why I thought I'd do it myself. But I see your point.

PDA

Loads of folks on here rave about Kwik Fit for aircon....rip off for everything else but if they can't sort the aircon, apparently there is no charge.

gavbriggs said:

just take it to a proper place, its only 50 quid and they do it properly!!!

you may have leaks!!

Click to expand...

Irishrover said:

Loads of folks on here rave about Kwik Fit for aircon....rip off for everything else but if they can't sort the aircon, apparently there is no charge.

Click to expand...

Cheers I'll get on to it tomorrow

PDA

saw the sign the other day outside kwik ****, if they dont refill your aircon/doesnt work you get a full refund! worth a go!

i even seen a van in a layby the other day offering air con recharges i thought bet he uses halfords cans lol

I used a can bought on Ebay from the States on mine after I replaced the condensor. Cost £19, it was meant to be temporary until I got to a aircon place, but it worked so well that 18 months on I still haven't got round to having it done "properly"

you should have a vacuum put on it(not a household one!!!) to test for leaks and then the gas is put in if all is ok, theres also a lubricant which can and in my case did cure small leaks from dry seals. it cost me 40 quid and is working very well.

i also repaired the small holes in the condensor which has stood the test of time so far, so to get my system up and running cost less than 45 quid, the tins of gas at alfrauds are about 39 quid!!

it really aint worth messing around with!!!

i used pug parts in rotherham, its just a local firm, mainly peugot mechanic but aircon is the same for all cars.

most places will also try to find the leak if there is one.

you would be well advised to give the system a quick check over visually, look around the top corners of the condensor usually tiny pinholes. fill them with the type of liquid metal filler/crack repair rated for aircon that you can get from most motorist diy stores. make sure you thoroughly clean the area tho!!

let me know if you need anymore advice on the condensor. although a new one would be the best option, it is certainly possible to sort without the need for replacement!!

Datatek said:

I used a can bought on Ebay from the States on mine after I replaced the condensor. Cost £19, it was meant to be temporary until I got to a aircon place, but it worked so well that 18 months on I still haven't got round to having it done "properly"

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You struck lucky there Data must have been warm and sunny when you did it. Any moisture in there will screw it up big time.

The A/c on my disco is still working after 15 years fortunately, but I think it will benefit from a recharge. Thanks for the advice I'll book in @ Kwik fit.

i used quick fit last year to recharge mine after the repair on the condensor. unfortunately it didnt work well. im not aportioning blame to the as i couldnt be sure but it now works after using an independant.

wammers said:

You struck lucky there Data must have been warm and sunny when you did it. Any moisture in there will screw it up big time.

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Nearly always warm and sunny here

using the can can put to much gas in wehich is worse than no gas it is against the law to expell the gas into the air!!!!
you know have to have a gas handling cirtificate to do air con and be licenced!
i am qualified with 5 car manurafactures but still need to do a £250 2 day course just to do it again
take to a good repairer not halfords or kwick fit!!!!

i telled thi!! only proper good quality people should be messing with aircon!!!

Everyone now knows if you fart you need to be licenced.

Sorry mate could not resist that one.

ooops, better get my licence out then cos i been blowing off proper style after last nights kebab supper!!!