Air con service

thar · March 24, 2018

I've had my car just over two years now, it's a January 2013 reg. Each time I take it to Lexus, for service, MOT, they recommend I have the air con serviced, but as the air con works perfectly and is cold, I decline. I'm just wondering, how often should the air con be serviced?

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stormchaser · March 24, 2018

Good one that.
Mines the same so I wouldn’t bother getting mine done unless it no longer works.

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colin79666 · March 24, 2018

Well mine is nearly 4 and as far as I'm aware it hasn't every been done. The dealer hasn't mentioned it when going for the usual services.

I'll see how it performs when the warmer weather comes and may get the air con seen to then.

On my previous cars I got it done between 3 and 4 years old as I'd started to notice it wasn't as cold as it used to be. Some outfits recommend every 2 years. More often than that would suggest a leak that needs further attention.

I think the gas used in the CT200h isn't as widely available as some so probably best to go to the dealer rather than one of the tyre chains that say they do air-conditioning recharging.

sorcerer · March 24, 2018

Aircon doesn't need regular maintenance or servicing. Just leave it on all year round (you can have hot conditioned air as well as cold) so that the seals are kept lubricated and don't dry out and it'll be fine.

The only time you ever need to give it some attention is if or when it doesn't get as cold as it used to.

1 hour ago, colin79666 said:

I think the gas used in the CT200h isn't as widely available as some so probably best to go to the dealer rather than one of the tyre chains that say they do air-conditioning

As far as I know, all the hybrids use a special gas that isn't readily available at places like Kwik-Fit, ATS etc., etc.

thar · March 25, 2018

Thanks for the replies. As I suspected then, it's just the dealers trying to get a bit more money out of us.

I do have it on all year, not just in the Summer months, so hopefully as long as it stays cold I should be OK.

I've noticed that some of the Groupon and such deals for air con regassing say they don't cover hybrids, would that be because of the gas used?

I wouldn't trust a Kwik Fit type place to do the job in any case and would get it done by the dealer if it needed doing.

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sorcerer · March 25, 2018

2 hours ago, thar said:

I've noticed that some of the Groupon and such deals for air con regassing say they don't cover hybrids, would that be because of the gas used?

Partly, yes, and also the mechanics of it too. Hybrid cars often have AC compressors that are driven by an electric motor rather than a traditional drive belt in a 'normal' car and the windings of the motor are immersed in the compressor oil, which has insulating properties. If that oil becomes contaminated with 'traditional' compressor oil then bad things can happen.

Most aircon specialists can deal with hybrid AC systems, but definitely not places like Kwik-Fit etc. Some interesting info here.

Britprius · March 25, 2018

The hybrid system uses the same gas, but the lubricant used is ND11. Normal systems use PAG oil. The difference is that ND11 oil has good electrical insulation properties. This is important because the high voltage electric motor that powers the AC runs in the gas/oil mixture.

The use of PAG oil or even equipment contaminated with PAG oil will cause the motor to fail "not necessarily immediately". If this happens a complete system flush is needed at minimum, if not a system replacement, and a new compressor fitted.

There is no reason to service the AC if it is working correctly "apart from possible cabin filter change, and deodorising" as the motor,and compressor are sealed in one unit. This alleviates the need for a rotary shaft seal associated with engine driven compressors, and the likely loss of gas through it. The dealers are up selling work that need not be done.

The cabin filter takes all of two minutes to change, and can be bought for a fraction of the dealer price on line. Your local motorist shop will have a deodorising kits if needed.

John.

rayaans · March 26, 2018

On 3/24/2018 at 7:59 PM, thar said:

I've had my car just over two years now, it's a January 2013 reg. Each time I take it to Lexus, for service, MOT, they recommend I have the air con serviced, but as the air con works perfectly and is cold, I decline. I'm just wondering, how often should the air con be serviced?

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I would say probably 10 years to be honest, more so if you're not using the AC and it dries the seals up so you get leaks

I had my RX done after 5 years and it lost a negligible amount of refrigerant.

Generally, I would make sure someone reputable does the job. Its quite easy to do but if you get air in the system it can make all sorts of groaning and creaking noises

Bob99 · June 30, 2021

Recently had mine topped up at the local Toyota dealership for £59.99. Nice and cool again.

Rakip123 · July 3, 2021

Just had my aircon serviced but this was because i felt it was a little weak, its made a small improvement plus they ran antibac through the system which was very much needed as it had started to smell a bit mouldy with the fans on - mind you mine is 7 years old.

steve2006 · July 3, 2021

Mine is now 27 years old and AC is still working fine, was checked around 8 years ago but told it was OK. Left on all the time and pollen filter replaced 3 times during my ownership of 16 years.

stormchaser · July 4, 2021

Lexus have never touched mine as its always ok at every service and it reaches the right temperatures.

Rakip123 · July 11, 2021

On 7/3/2021 at 3:43 PM, steve2006 said:

Mine is now 27 years old and AC is still working fine, was checked around 8 years ago but told it was OK. Left on all the time and pollen filter replaced 3 times during my ownership of 16 years.

How long have you had yours for Steve if it's been 27 years of ownership that is mighty impressive, I'd quite like to keep mine for as long as physically possible but can't imagine what mine will be like in 20 years!