AC regassing?

dubtom

My AC pump has gone on my 96 camry. I can get a pump for 60 quid (which is nice) but am wondering what I can expect to pay to get it regassed. Is it a specialist job. I know a plumber who has worked at refridgeration (is that a real word) and he says he can do it but I'm having trouble contacting him. What would I expect to pay someoone who does this professionally.

Anan1

dubtom wrote:

My AC pump has gone on my 96 camry. I can get a pump for 60 quid (which is nice) but am wondering what I can expect to pay to get it regassed. Is it a specialist job. I know a plumber who has worked at refridgeration (is that a real word) and he says he can do it but I'm having trouble contacting him. What would I expect to pay someoone who does this professionally.

Last time I had it done, I paid €60.

dubtom

ohh, nice one, details?

Anan1

dubtom wrote:

ohh, nice one, details?

The guy's name is John Kenealy, he's in Bancroft Grove, Tallaght. T (01)4523356, M (087)2559706. He's a nice guy, I've always had the impression that his prices are linked to the quality of conversation one provides while he's doing the work.;)

dubtom

Thank you Anan1, I'll give him a call,I've got a quote for 120 so any thing below is a saving. Another question, is the gas nessasary to drive the car when the pump is replaced. In other words, does the gas act as a lubricant for the pump or can it be changed and the gas done later.

Anan1

dubtom wrote:

Thank you Anan1, I'll give him a call,I've got a quote for 120 so any thing below is a saving. Another question, is the gas nessasary to drive the car when the pump is replaced. In other words, does the gas act as a lubricant for the pump or can it be changed and the gas done later.

AFAIK, the pump won't come on if the pressure in the system is too low. If I were you, I'd ring John and run the whole thing by him - hard info is always going to be better than my half-arsed guesses!

greglo23

if you like diy you could try this kit http://tinyurl.com/kgrfo

Anan1

greglo23 wrote:

if you like diy you could try this kit http://tinyurl.com/kgrfo

That looks handy! Mind you, if his system is completely empty he might need a couple of those, making it more expensive than a normal recharge. Another thing - I'm not an expert, but I think a system that's been opened to the air might need to be evacuated and dried out too (I don't know exactly what this means, I just have a vague memory of having heard or read it somewhere!).

greglo23

if you're interested heres a link to a how to site about aircon. http://www.id-usa.com/how_to_videos.asp

5500

Ive heard of halfords selling a diy kit inclusive of all thats needed for 40euro,anyone seen them?

Borzoi

Anan1 wrote:

That looks handy! Mind you, if his system is completely empty he might need a couple of those, making it more expensive than a normal recharge. Another thing - I'm not an expert, but I think a system that's been opened to the air might need to be evacuated and dried out too (I don't know exactly what this means, I just have a vague memory of having heard or read it somewhere!).

Yep, fit the new compressor (pump!), pressure test the system using dry nitrogen, then vac it out, than gas it up. R134a probably. If someone can do all that for €60 I'd be surprised.