I have previously helped a mate fix his domestic aircon unit but now (some years later) it's stopped working completely. They got an aircon engineer in who declared it as 'non repairable' so he's ordered a new unit. I think he confirmed the issue being 'needing re gassing (because of a leak presumably) and it not being worth it. Now, whilst I've examined / cleaned out a few different AC / fridge / cooler units and compressor pumps I've not even repaired or re-gassed anything so not sure what the deal is. Like, I think I have seen these smaller / cheaper (~£650) units they seem to be 'factory gassed' and the pipe seal off, rather than re-gassable via a connector of some sort, as in most cars? So, assuming this system was empty of gas, would it be possible to fit it with a car gassing point ... as my mate has a car AC re gassing unit? Is the gas (or are the gasses) and lubricants used on cars the same as those in domestic units? Obviously, if I could get it re-gassed I could use my mates sniffer to find any leak and potentially repair it (compressor seal?). If I tried any of this it would mostly be for the S&G's but if it did turn out to be viable (from a d-i-y POV) I could actually make use of it here (It's one of those slimline wall mounted units with a concentric port (like a balanced flue) that goes though the wall, along with a small water drain pipe). Cheers, T i m

It all depends on what is wrong - sorry blindingly obvious statement! If it is just a leak in a pipe then it does rather depend on where and how accessible the pipe is whether it can be economically repaired. If the engineer has assessed it as having one actual leak but a whole load of potentially leaks in waiting due to corrosion say, then professionally he would be right to condemn it and fit new for a two visit definite fix. The compressor could be FUBAR and being a compact unit only the makers bespoke unit would fit in and that could be made of unobtainium. Or the engineer is giving a Foxtrot Oscar response as he does not want to fix it and prefers only to fit new. Given the weather, he has possibly more work than he can cope with and this is the quickest fix for him?

Repairing an AC unit?

Aug 06, 2018 41 Replies

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T i m 7 years ago

Ok, so that's some good news.

Or not as I know some people have never topped up their car a/c and it's pretty old?

So, with a port and a gauge I can find out if there is any pressure in there at all and hence how bad any leak might be?

I'm guessing there must be some sort of low pressure cutout switch?

Cheers, T i m

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T i m 7 years ago

Ok ta.

Hmm, you would have thought a proper tool would be better for a professional?

Cheers, T i m

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