Steam from air vents when turn on air con

bif · Post by **bif** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 6:30 pm

On way home tonight and I turned on the air con and steam came out of the air vents for a few seconds.

Is that normal?

Nearly messed myself as I thought my car was on fire. :rolleyes:

WebCode · Post by **WebCode** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 6:35 pm

Yes it is "Normal.. Just due to the Humid conditions at the moment

bif · Post by **bif** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:17 am

Cheers. Thanks for that.

ukdy · Post by **ukdy** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:16 am

i need to get my CC re-gassed. i was told this by a friend because the climate control isn't as cold as it should be when i put it on the lowest possible temp....

my CC is two yrs old... is this normal... i think the monkeys told me it would cost about Â£75-80... is this about right ??

Jussi · Post by **Jussi** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:25 pm

i need to get my CC re-gassed. i was told this by a friend because the climate control isn't as cold as it should be when i put it on the lowest possible temp....

my CC is two yrs old... is this normal... i think the monkeys told me it would cost about Â£75-80... is this about right ??

That would be right. In two year's climate control's "gas" may evaporate and it's not so effect anymore. If the car is under warranty try to ask if dealer checks your climate control. If not then call some climate control service, don't know where you find them in England?

WebCode · Post by **WebCode** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:01 pm

It is incorrect to say that the gas evaporates, as the A/C system is sealed to the atmosphere.. NOTE that in the UK you can get a very fine if you are caught discharging A/Cgas into the atmosphere.. (AKA the greenhouse effect)

However if the A/C is not used during say the winter then there is agood chance that the seals will dry out and then some or all of the gas may leak out... This is why it is advisable to have the A/C ON all the time even in winter..
But if you don't want to do that then run it at least once every week for 15 mins, as this will circulate the Oil in the system and keep the seals and more importantly the Compressor lubricated....

As for a "re-gas & service" price.. It does vary.. But Â£35 -Â£80 would be OK..

Note: that when you have a "Re-Gas", the operator will vacum the system, taking your gas out and transfering it to his refrigerant bottle.. He should then add some Ultraviolet Dye/oil to the system that will help him trace any leaks.. He will recharge the system with the gas he removed earlier....
He will then Check the pressure stabilty and operating temperature.. Which should be between 3 and 9 Degrees.. and you will be on your way..

Jussi · Post by **Jussi** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:52 pm

That is true that gas will evaporate from climate control. I'm not sure if the word evaporate is right, but i mean gas disappears from system when after used many years. And that is common thing, my father has company which in some degree re-gas and do service for car's climate control. And he does some newer cars as well. Gas might get away from seals, i'm not so studied that. It's very common about 5year old car that you must re-gas it. Funny thing is that you don't notice it so well, cause gas disappears long time and system's effect disappears bit by bit.
A/C gas was before known as r12 and that was illegal to let to atmosphere. New climate control's use different gas which is pretty "harmless".
Some older cars you could put more gas to system but newer ones you have to take gas out of the system and then put the new gas in it.
btw. my father could check all forum members car's climate control for very low prize, so take a visit to Finland and i will arrange service

WebCode · Post by **WebCode** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 12:53 am

Yep R12 gas is a nasty greenhouse gas and is not used any more..

The new refrigerant gas is R134, but it is still not nice.. and it is still highly illegal to release it into the atmosphere..