We haven’t had super high temps in Cornwall but the car with roof down takes a few minutes to get to a comfortable temp. Thought I’d bring the regas forward ( it’s useful in winter for demisting) but wonder if it may be useful in summer too?
I’m on the ATS old codgers scheme that brought the regas price down from £64 to £49. I’m booked in tomorrow so will report back on any worthwhile seat-of-the-pants effect.
Found a simple tip on here to check whether it’s actually working. Two alloy tubes enter the bulkhead on the passenger side. Once the Aircon has been running a few minutes there should be a temp difference between the two pipes. Mine had this but no great difference but had some, so guessing it’s needs a refill.
I tend to use it with the roof down, when it gets to high 20s/low 30s. Keeping the windows up seems to keep the cold air where it should be. Or I’ll use it on warmer days for longer mway runs, when the roof’s up
I always used to think aircon in a convertible was unnecessary, but now I’m converted
I’ve not noticed a fuel efficiency difference either.
The flip side of this is how well the car keeps out the outside world. I drove throughout last winter with the hood down if it wasn’t raining with just my PomPom hat and a cheap puffa jacket as extra clothing. Had some gloves but never used them. But I digress….
Works well in my ND, wasn’t so in my NC even after a regas. Yes to using it in the summer, hood down if you’re feeling the need for some cooler air in the cabin. Windows up of course to keep that cool air hitting you instead of it flying straight out the sides.
Funny this topic should pop up. I noticed this week that my AC was not as cold as it has been during the recent warm spell. It’s always been fine and is still working, but there is a definite change in the temp, I’d say it’s cold but not icy like it used to be.
I did consider buying a canister and topping up myself, but read several threads recommending doing it professionally. Ironically, it’s actually cheaper to go and have the system drained and refilled at a garage than to buy a can and refill manually. £75 for the R134 plus an extra £25 for the requisite trigger and gauge to ‘top up’. Versus £64 to have it professionally drained and refilled with fresh refridgerant.
So anyone considering a DIY jobby, my advice is go and get it done by a pro, a more thorough job and it costs less!
In reality, I have never driven with the roof down and the AC on. Usually it is one or the other. Unless of course it is in winter, when I absolutely love to drive with the roof down and blasting the heating. It is a pretty enjoyable experience
Last time I was in Scotland I could have done with aircon in my NC, roof down too.
It wasn’t for an odd day either, quite a few days and on our trip a couple of years earlier.
Yes, it is sunny and warm sometimes in Scotland, I don’t live there of course, it’s been great when I’ve visited.
Regassed my NC3 prht a week or two ago. Even though I usually have the top down, it has definitely been worthwhile & indeed a pleasure during the recent heatwave. Being a postie & working out in the sweltering heat all day, I must say it really is quite a relief to drive home in a chilled car! Once the temps are down, that is. It still takes a couple of mins in a sun baked car!
Even works quite nicely in the foot well with the roof down
The office I worked at when I was with RM (now retired) it was warmer indoors than out in summer. No aircon there, old dated building, I digress. Better in a car whatever make model, if it’s got good aircon, than sitting at home too with all the doors and windows open these last few days.
Us Brits moaning about the weather again
Same in the DO where I work, just big metal shed really! Freezing in the winter , boiling in the summer! None of the vans have aircon & most could charitably described as 'vinatge with character ’
Re-gas took fifty minutes. It takes almost half a litre and mine started off with a humble 40ccs! So got my money’s worth.
Went out later in the day with the car suitably cooked: instant chilly gratification.
Would have been £64 rather than £49 so a substantial saving through ATS’s over sixty club.
I disagree with your conclusion that professional is better than DIY because in my experience you’re comparing apples and pears. The DIY kits are really meant for topping up the gas in your system which I do on my cars on an annual basis to keep the AC in tip top condition (although most manufacturers recommend every two years). A professional drain and refill as you put it - otherwise known as flushing - is only really required in you have a component failure like a compressor or a significant leak.
My comment was primarily that a professional service is cheaper than a DIY job if your system performance has already declined. Your point is valid, for those people such as yourself who remember to regularly top up their AC, in which case the price of a refill is more cost-effective due to the ability to use it over several occasions.
But the majority of drivers don’t necessarily consider their AC until the performance reduces or stops completely, and in these circumstances I still maintain that a professional drain and regas is the better choice. Not least of all because the whole system is checked during the process, including the operation of the compressor and pressure testing for any leaks, as well as adding any necessary oil to keep seals working.
I would say there are pros for each option depending on the situation.
If you need to top up the gas in your aircon (especially i you need to do it every few months), then you obviously have a leak, which will have an impact on both the performance of your aircon, and on the environment.
Professional regassing involves removing all the gas from the system, pressure testing it, repairing any leaks and then refilling with gas.
Just had this done on ours this morning. A/C was blowing warm. Just back from the indy’s, no gas left in it. Pressure tested, held vacuum and now filled and bloody cold! Obviously if it does have a leak then that will be sorted, time will tell.
41C in Seville, about 2 weeks ago was very difficult.
Roof up, roof down - little difference.
Even windows down and driving , the heat was just relentless.
In the UK, I’ve never had a problem not having air conditioning…… this was certainly different.
We had a little spray bottle of water- it had contained liquid hand soap. I brought it to ensure my revo-rack was fitted correctly each morning by attaching the vacuum cups to a wet boot lid.
We chilled the water in it each night and sprayed it on arms and legs etc- a real lifesaver🤪
Ours is a 2010 1.8 NC. No air-con.
I want to keep the car and not keen to retro fit aircon…… had thought of one of those evaporative coolers…… anyone tried??
I guess it’s a bit like the difference between having your car regularly serviced or waiting until the engine to blows up! I would rather regularly service my AC and so DIY is cost-effective.
