RX400h Air-Con Specialist in NorthWest

[Ridgeback]

Can anyone recommend a specialist in the Northwest (ideally Manchester/Liverpool)

I've tried 4 local aircon garages, as soon as you mention hybrid, the answer is no.

I appreciate they use different oil, but are they that much different from conventional A/C units?

Best regards

[Herbie]

19 minutes ago, Ridgeback said:

I appreciate they use different oil, but are they that much different from conventional A/C units?

Yes and no.

They may only have the one machine and so don't want to risk cross-contamination.

As little as 1% normal PAG oil in ND11 'hybrid' oil can damage the insulation on the compressor motor windings and allow current leakage to earth (vehicle body) which would shut down the car to prevent electrocution - the hybrid compressor motors are 500V three phase AC so you really don't want that flying around.

[Lager shandy]

First off why do you need the air con regass .if it not blowing cold air .its either a leak ,blocked air con rad or the system isn't switching on .dont waste 70-100 quid on regassing until you have been to an air on specialist or your be wasting money .

[Ridgeback]

I wasn't planning to just regas it, as I know there is a leak.

I was looking for an independent specialist who can identify and fix the problem.

[royoftherovers]

55 minutes ago, Ridgeback said:

I wasn't planning to just regas it, as I know there is a leak.

I was looking for an independent specialist who can identify and fix the problem.

A lot of info here inc list of specialists (at bottom)  https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/air-conditioning/

[Herbie]

I've never needed to have any aircon work done so I can't give any personal recommendations, and I know you said you prefer Manchester or Liverpool but, given your lack of suitable places so far you may have to widen that out a bit.

I live in Preston and there's a specialist near me that gets a 5-star rating from over 50 Google Reviews http://www.mrsheattransfer.com/ so might be worth a call if you're willing to travel that far.

There's another one in Leyland that gets 5-star ratings from 13 reviews https://www.chillout-airconditioning.co.uk/

[Ridgeback]

I can't really complain, I've had it for 7 years now, hardly spent anything on it in repairs.

I'm in Warrington, so Preston is equally as far as Manchester/Liverpool

Rather than trawling the net, and ringing garage after garage, I was hoping a member could recommend a garage local to me.

Unfortunately most links appear to be everything south of Birmingham.

I'll give your links a try on Monday, and update with any positive results.

Many thanks

 

[Lager shandy]

5 hours ago, Ridgeback said:

I wasn't planning to just regas it, as I know there is a leak.

I was looking for an independent specialist who can identify and fix the problem.

Ok I understand if there is still gas in the system try soapy water spray it will find a bubbly leak run it up hot as this increases the system pressure check the pipe coming from the air con pump area this is normally hotter pipe than the pipe going in .this is the highest pressure point in your air/con system ,I've just replaced one on a tractor .also if it is a pipe leaking always change the dryer canister moister in the system is a big no no .you could also have leaky condenser vaporiser core and the aluminium these days is full of steel particles and rot out faster than years ago .the system should be pressurised . Any good commercial air con guy will find your issue in about 30mins but many don't like dealing with motorist .

[Ridgeback]

Finally managed to find someone who could look at the problem, recommended from a friend who works for a local main dealer, they use him as they can't do the work themselves.

I gave him a call, and he came round within a couple of days.

He ran a few pressure and diagnostic checks, and it's a leaking condenser unit.

He gave me a quote of either £325 or £350 (can't put my hand on it now)

Cost of the diagnostic test was a very reasonable £35 considering he'd driven from Altrincham to Warrington and was here for 30 mins which included a chat about cars.

Highly recommended for anyone in the Northwest.

Damien Kerr

Car Air-Con Services

07786028602

[Herbie]

Thanks for updating us Jim. I hate it when people ask for help, they get suggestions and the help they ask for, and then they disappear without telling us the outcome.

The whole idea of the forum is to help or be helped and outcomes are important in doing that, so thanks again.

[Lager shandy]

If you go ahead with the work have a new air drier canister fitted .

[Ridgeback]

I'll ask him to price one in

Thanks