Cost of fixing air con?
- Thread starter sat1983
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The cost of repair really all depends upon the nature of the fault. In its simplest form it could be requiring no more than a re-gas with R134a refrigerant. Indeed however it could be any, or a combination of faults in the system components or control system and the cost could be amplified considerably. Typicaly a re-gas is £55.00 plus vat. Most commonly, fault in the systems on these Audis is due to insufficient refrigerant gas, due to a lack of attention to air con servicing or a gas leak caused by perished seals,or holed condenser radiator. Your best bet is to present your car to a specialist, and explain your requirements and budget limitations if you are concerned over final cost. Until you take this step everything is pure speculation. Once you have the facts, based upon a proper diagnostic process you will be able to evaluate the viability of carry out the repair.
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Jimmy TDI
Pro Tinkerer
Best thing to do is get a member with vcds to scan it for you to see if there are any codes stored. Some will do it for free, and the most I ever paid someone before getting it myself was £20 which included a scan and changing of a few functions on my old mk4.
Do you know if the last owner changed the ac control panel at all? If so and they didn't have it coded to the cars vin that stops the ac from working.
Do you know if the last owner changed the ac control panel at all? If so and they didn't have it coded to the cars vin that stops the ac from working.
The receipt for the investigation from the last owner states:
Carry out full system scan for A/C fault, possible pressure switch. Re-gassed & leak to bottom of condenser, requires bumper removal to investigate further and determine leak.
Carry out full system scan for A/C fault, possible pressure switch. Re-gassed & leak to bottom of condenser, requires bumper removal to investigate further and determine leak.
Jimmy TDI
Pro Tinkerer
Well at least you've got a good idea of where to start.
I would hazard a guess at it being something as simple as a dried out and perished seal. If your half handy with a socket set then just take a look yourself as it's a pretty straight forward job.
The pipes just have a bolt holding them in place, which once removed they just pull out. You should be able to see if any of the seals look old and perished.
I would hazard a guess at it being something as simple as a dried out and perished seal. If your half handy with a socket set then just take a look yourself as it's a pretty straight forward job.
The pipes just have a bolt holding them in place, which once removed they just pull out. You should be able to see if any of the seals look old and perished.
Jimmy TDI
Pro Tinkerer
It's worth a look at yourself first if you can work a ratchet set, as most garages will charge you at least £30ph labour.
If it is just a perished seal and you take it to a garage it's a lot of wasted money, as you can bet they will charge you a minimum of 2hrs labour +vat.
Taking the bumper off isn't a hard job at all. Just take your time getting it off, then get someone (even the missus can do this) to help you put it back on so you don't drop it and scratch your paint.
It can throw a fault code for the pressure switch if the gas is too low, so I wouldn't worry about that just yet. It sounds as though it's either the seal on the pipe going into the condenser, or the condenser it self.
Personally I would opt to have a look myself first, as the money you would spend on labour will most likely pay for the parts your going to need, but it depends on if you feel confident to have a go yourself.
If it is just a perished seal and you take it to a garage it's a lot of wasted money, as you can bet they will charge you a minimum of 2hrs labour +vat.
Taking the bumper off isn't a hard job at all. Just take your time getting it off, then get someone (even the missus can do this) to help you put it back on so you don't drop it and scratch your paint.
It can throw a fault code for the pressure switch if the gas is too low, so I wouldn't worry about that just yet. It sounds as though it's either the seal on the pipe going into the condenser, or the condenser it self.
Personally I would opt to have a look myself first, as the money you would spend on labour will most likely pay for the parts your going to need, but it depends on if you feel confident to have a go yourself.
Appreciate your help mate- but beyond changing the oil I feel like I'd have no idea what I was doing, always wished I had a mate who knew his way round an engine bay!!
Seems like it'll be the condenser itself- and they've quoted up to £550 inc labour. What can you do...
Seems like it'll be the condenser itself- and they've quoted up to £550 inc labour. What can you do...
Jimmy TDI
Pro Tinkerer
Had mine now for nearly 3 years without any aircon. Open the windows and let the fresh air flow, unless you're on the M6....Open the windows
Sorry I couldn't resist that one
Jimmy TDI
Pro Tinkerer
To be fair if you have kids, or dogs (I have both), aircon is quite essential throughout summer if your on a long drive.
