Air con service?

[Rudedog]

This week I had my year six service under my all-in service plan plus I had the VAQ done.

As part of the 'inspection' VW have recommended I have my air-con serviced - I think it was about £190.

Not really thought about having it done - I do have the AC on all of the time but just wondered if others have bothered?

Below is taken from the VW site.

Full air conditioning service and recharge
Around 10% of refrigerant gas can seep out of the air conditioning system each year. If there is insufficient refrigerant charge, not only can your system not operate effectively, but it could potentially lead to internal system damage. An air conditioning service involves recharging the system with gas and lubricant as well as removing all moisture and debris.

[Adam T7]

Each to their own but I’ve had air-con in cars since 1999 and never had a service. During that period I owned a Discovery 3 for 5 years, Discovery 4 for nearly 9 years and current GTI for over 6 years. No noticeable drop in performance at all. I’ve always suspected it’s a Dealer moneymaker rather than a necessity. I always have the air-con turned on - I think that helps?

[karlos]

My car is over seven years old and I've always resisted this upsell. My AC works just fine, if ever I feel it's not cooling as well as it should I'll get it done. Like you I leave the AC on most of the time which helps keep it sweet, the people who have problems tend to only use it on hot days in the summer.

Also £190 is very expensive. I was quoted £139 by my dealer in October and most national garage chains will do it for £120-£130 and they will just hook your car up to the same machine as the dealer.

[clubsport]

Every now and then ATS, quickfit or such have an a/c offer on. I had mine done last year for £80 with the correct gas.
It's not exactly labour intensive, they connect a machine up to your inlet/ exhaust valves, press the button and the machine goes through a sequence of removing your old gas, vacuuming and refilling. The correct 460g weight of gas required is written on the slam panel to the left of the bonnet latch.

The "technician" does not even have to be present through the procedure, the machine shows a completed/ succesful message and beeps when it's done.

Mine worked fine, before and after. The only issue you may have is if there is a problem with your a/c holding a vacuum, this is tested first, if it does not, they tend not to proceed and don't charge.

Just to add, they suggest having your a/c mainatined and refreshed as there is a lubricant in the gas (?) that helps maintain the compressor and seals. It also tells you the health of your a/c system, if your gas weight is found to be considerably down on the required 460g, you may have a leak problem?

[2007GTI]

I always get my air con re-gassed at an indy, non necessarily a VW indy, but a good local garage, I had mine done last year and it was £60. My vehicle has the older and cheaper refrigerant, the later cars have the more expensive type, which is approx £80-100 at an indy I believe.

[Finglonga]

Dealer Cash Cow ..... My 2014 GTI is on original gas and still as good as new. Decline getting it done if I was you.

[2007GTI]

Mines 2014, and it has needed re-gassing twice, as it was no longer ice cold. This was my choice, not a stealer. Both times cost £60 at a Indy. Then back to ice cold.

Is yours really still ice cold after 11 years?

[Rudedog]

Apologies - just re-looked at my paperwork and the AC service is priced at £139.

Same as others, not had an issue with the temp so will probably pass on the service.

[SRGTD]

Dealer Cash Cow ..... My 2014 GTI is on original gas and still as good as new. Decline getting it done if I was you.

Agree it’s a dealer cash cow. I dare say the dealership service advisors have bonus-based targets to meet for upselling products and services such as these, so they’ll try to ‘encourage’ customers to part with their hard-earned cash. A/C service is a VW recommendation, not a requirement; IMHO if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I’d only have the dealership air con service if it was no longer working effectively, and the service was being offered at a realistically discounted price.

[Finglonga]

Is yours really still ice cold after 11 years?

Yep, hold your hand in front of the vent when on Max and your hand hurts from the cold. Climate control never been turned off so seals are always lubricated so could be why it is still good.