Technicians are generally equipped with diagnostic tools which can determine whether your car air conditioning system needs regassing.
A typical regas cost is between $100 and $200. A car aircon regas cost and the time a regas service takes varies on the vehicle type. Mechanics will also use tools to remove dangerous excess gas from the vehicle air conditioner system while they are working on it. Regassing is usually done with the car air conditioner system coolant drained and evacuated, followed by purging any moisture in the lines. The air conditioning refrigerant oil is also drained off with replacement oils applied to prevent damage to parts. A new compressor then recharges the system while vacuum meters are used to measure how much gas has been added.
The biggest reason to have air conditioning regas performed on your car is to improve the efficiency of your vehicle air conditioning system. A clogged up air conditioner doesn't work as well, so it's important to keep your system working at optimal levels.
Some telltale signs that you might need a regas include the below.
A nasty smell coming from vents when using climate control in your vehicle. The foul smell is caused by bacterial build up in the car air conditioner unit. If unchecked, it can cause health issues.
A reduced performance out of the heater or fan speed.
Wetness or dampness inside the car after use and increased fuel consumption.
The AC of your car can be checked during a regular car service. Technicians check several areas of the car air conditioning systems such as the below.
Taking a suction line temperature reading
Check air vent temperature for release of cold air into the cabin
Conduct a refrigerant leak test
Assess compressor drive belts
Perform a pulleys check operation
Thermostats inspection to assess thermostat operation
Before the regas begins, any contaminants or excess moisture in the system must be removed. Once this is done, a visual inspection will tell the mechanic whether there are any other problems with your AC system, including a gas leak and faulty parts. Your car's air conditioning refrigerant oil will also be replaced during a regas. The old refrigerant may or may not be recovered, depending on how much gas is in your air conditioning system when it is opened up to remove the old refrigerant. The new gas can then be added to your car's AC using a vacuum pump and key tools like analysers and gauges to make sure that everything has been put back together exactly as it should. If you live in an area where regular re-gas is recommended, you should take your vehicle in for a regas every year or two.
It is not advised to release refrigerant gasses into the environment if they are still in good working condition. Refrigerants are very bad for the ozone layer, so it is important to keep them out of the atmosphere if at all possible. When you have your car AC re-gassed, mechanics should recover any excess gas in your system before removing it from your vehicle.
You have your car aircon regassed by a professional mechanic with a high level of training and experience in air conditioning systems. They should also have the right tools and specialised equipment for the job and be properly licensed to do so. An air conditioning system can be dangerous during regas if done incorrectly, so it's important to only work with a qualified technician.
A regas car air conditioning service should take between one and two hours if the mechanic is experienced has the right tools and equipment for the job, and you have already had any contaminants or excess moisture in your system removed. If there are other problems with your AC unit necessitating further repairs, it could take more time for your car's aircon regas service.
Your car's air conditioning system works by cleaning, cooling, and dehumidifying the air inside your vehicle. The main parts of a car AC unit include the evaporator, condenser, compressor, and receiver/drier.
The hot refrigerant gas cools as it passes through the evaporator or tubes where it extracts heat from the air in your vehicle, converting to a liquid state. This helps to remove humidity from the air within your car because water particles are removed along with dust and other harmful pollutants that can damage your health.
After leaving the evaporator, the refrigerant goes into one end of an expansion valve which reduces its pressure to lower than atmospheric pressure, causing it to turn back into a gas form under low temperature. It then moves into the condenser, which is designed to dissipate heat so that it can cool down and liquefy again.
Finally, a series of tubes known as a receiver/drier directs the new refrigerant gas from the evaporator to the compressor. The hot gas then returns inside your car's air conditioner unit, ready for another cycle.
Those who work with refrigerant gasses used in vehicles must abide by a strict code of conduct, according the business.gov.au website.