Nissan Micra AC Regas: Why a Completely Empty Refrigerant System Left This Car Blowing Warm Air
A bright blue Nissan Micra came in with one complaint. The air conditioning was blowing nothing but warm air. The driver had noticed it getting progressively worse and decided to get it looked at before the warmer months arrived. It is a common enough problem and one we deal with regularly, but what the machine showed us when we connected it told us more than just a simple low charge situation.
Zero Grams Recovered When We Connected the Machine, Meaning the System Was Completely Empty With Nothing Left in It at All
When we hooked the car up to our Pro AC regas machine using the red and blue service hoses the first reading on the display was zero grams of recovered refrigerant. That told us straight away the system was completely empty. There was nothing left in there at all. A system running with no refrigerant cannot produce cold air no matter how the car's controls are set. The machine then ran a 25 minute vacuum on the system to clear it out and check it was holding before we moved on to the recharge stage.
Running an AC Compressor With No Refrigerant and No Lubrication Causes Internal Wear That Can Turn a Simple Regas Into a Compressor Replacement
Air conditioning systems are not fully sealed in the way most people assume. Over time small amounts of refrigerant escape through microscopic permeation in the hoses and seals. This is gradual and entirely normal, which is why most manufacturers recommend a regas every two to three years. However if the system has been left without attention for long enough, or if there is a more significant leak somewhere, the charge level can drop all the way to nothing as it had on this Micra. Running an AC compressor with no refrigerant means no lubrication for the internal components. Left long enough that wear can turn a simple regas job into a much more expensive compressor replacement. Getting it sorted early is always the better option.
450g of Refrigerant and 5ml of PAG Oil Charged Into the System, UV Dye Added So Any Future Leak Can Be Traced Quickly Under UV Light
Once the vacuum stage was complete and we were satisfied the system was holding we charged it with 450 grams of refrigerant along with 5ml of PAG oil to lubricate the compressor correctly. We also introduced UV dye into the system during the process, which allows us to trace any future leaks quickly and accurately under UV light if the customer ever comes back with a recurring problem. Once the charge was complete the difference was immediate. The vents were pushing out cold air exactly as they should be and the customer left with a fully functioning air conditioning system ready for whatever the weather brings.
If your car's air conditioning has been blowing warm air or it is not as cold as it used to be that is usually the first sign the refrigerant level is getting low. You might also notice an unusual smell from the vents or the system struggling to keep the cabin cool even on a mild day. If any of that sounds familiar bring your vehicle into Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall. We cover customers right across the West Midlands and we will get your AC back to working order. Book in at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk or come in and speak to us directly.
