C1 Aircon Not Working...

[LisaNL]

I have 2011 C1 and the aircon has stopped working, I rarely use it (which may be part of the problem), and for the first time I chose not to have the filter replaced this year during the annual service.   Karma...  (or dodgy dealer.. sabotage I scream!)

 

In the hot weather recently I decided to switch it on and nothing happened - the light on the switch comes on, but nothing else happens.  I've just been to the dealer and they've quoted me €50 to diagnose the problem €130 to refill the system plus whatever it costs to fix the problem on top - considering I only use it once or twice a year, that's money down the drain  :o

 

Anybody have any suggestions what I could do myself before completely giving up on getting it fixed?  Lisa (Brit in NL)  :wub:

 

 

[Johndouglas]

You're right! Aircon systems don't like not being used. The gas also contains oil which keeps the seals lubricated. If the oil isn't frequently distributed, the seals dry and begin to leak. You don't need a Citreon dealer to service aircon. Many places can leak test and regas. Last time I had two of our cars done, the guy did them on my drive. About £65 each.

[paul.h]

Most likely the problem is a lack of refrigerant so the pressure is too low to allow the air con to work. It would be a good gamble to go for a regas and not bother with a diagnostic check. A regas will check for leaks and measure the pressure without needing a diagnostic check of the pressure.

 

Sounds as if your Citroen dealer is charging too much. Our dealer charges about £50 to check and recharge the air con refrigerant. They could not really charge any more though since they would not be competitive. You should run the air con for maybe 10 minutes once or twice a month as John has said. The extra fuel you may use to do this is far cheaper than having the air con repaired if the refrigerant leaks out when the seals dry up due to lack of use.

 

There has been a recent move due to legislation to use different refrigerants which are very expensive but I think you probably do not have these in your car.

[LisaNL]

Thanks guys, I'll see if I can get a better quote from a local garage (although finding a reliable garage in Holland seems to be worse than the UK - hence I bought the car from the dealer and have been going there ever since).   If it proves to be just as expensive, am I doing any serious damage in the long term by leaving it empty/broken?

[Johndouglas]

  If it proves to be just as expensive, am I doing any serious damage in the long term by leaving it empty/broken?

Debatable about whether you will cause further damage if you don't use it. Were you to get it regassed right now, you may find that the seals were OK and it held the pressure. Leave it another few months and the seals will have dried even more leaving you with a leaking system that will require much more expense.

[paul.h]

The filter that you did not have replaced, is this the pollen filter (cabin filter) that filters the dirt/pollen/leaves out of the cabin air supply ?

 

If so I would replace it yourself, a filter may be about £10 to £20 but they quickly fill up and then restrict the air supply in to the car and can also become smelly. If you do not want to replace it now, then at least remove it and vacuum off the loose dirt and fit it back. The Citroen Maintenace and Warranty book gives a replacement frequency of every 10000 miles or 1 year if sooner for the C1 1.0 petrol.

 

The pollen filter is located underneath the right hand side of the dashboard and will probably just pull out. To replace it will only take a few minutes but you may need to vac out the area if it is full of leaves and other bits.

 

As John has noted, have a regas now for maybe around £50-65 or leave it to later and then need a new compressor, refrigerant filter/dryer, some piping seals and also a regas with a total costing more than 10 times the original regas. Or you could do nothing, never use the air con and accept the car is worth less if you decide to sell it.