How often to re gas air con?

[macafee2]

How frequently do our cars need the air con re gassed?
I've had the car 6 1/2 years or there abouts and have just had to have it re gassed for the second time.

Neither time was a leak found.

macafee2

[roverbarmy]

My air con tech recommends every two years. I am told that systems lose around 5% of the refrigerant each year and can become damaged when the refrigerant and lubricant (in the refill) run low. The 5% doesn't mean 5% of the refrigerant each year ie year 1 to 95%, year 2 to 90%, year 3 to 85%. It means 5% loss from whatever is in the system, so year 1 = 95% left, year 2 = 90.25%, year 3 = roughly 86%.........
Basically it's a downward spiral! If it gets to the point where something is not working or making a noise, you could create more problems. Sooner rather than later would be my advice as the parts that wear or break due to low levels, are far more expensive than regular servicing.

[SCP440]

Yes 5% is considered a leak free system but even 10% would not be considered bad.

The problem is as the seals get old and hard the leakage gets worse, the best way of keeping the system at its best is to leave it on as much as possible to keep the oil going through the system. Some makes of cars that revert to ''ON'' after every ignition off have less problems than with cars that can be left off for weeks or months at a time.

Worrying about the extra fuel you are going to use will soon disappear when you have a bill for A/C repairs. In truth most cars use less fuel with the A/C on that when the window is open.

Even putting the A/C on in the winter for a minimum of 15 mins a week is a good thing.

[macafee2]

air con is used a lot, partly because of the dry seal issues mentioned.
My 52 plate Honda Accord only had a re-gas due to a leak that was found but the Rover, 2 re-gasses and no leak in less time then I had the Accord


macafee2