Peugeot 107 Air Conditioning Regas in Walsall
A red Peugeot 107 came into us here at Platinum Vehicle Services for an air conditioning regas. The owner had noticed the air con was no longer blowing cold air, which is one of the most common signs that the refrigerant level has dropped. This is a routine service job but one that needs to be done properly, with the right equipment and the right refrigerant, otherwise you can cause more problems than you solve.
The AC System Was Low on Refrigerant and Needed a Full Vacuum Test Before Anything Could Be Recharged
The first thing we do before putting any new refrigerant into a system is connect our specialist regas machine to the vehicle. On the Peugeot 107, the system uses R134a refrigerant, and our machine is purpose-built for exactly that. We connect two colour-coded hoses, red to the high-pressure port and blue to the low-pressure port, and then we run a vacuum test before any refrigerant is introduced. You can see on the machine's digital display that the vacuum stage is running with a countdown timer. What this stage actually does is pull all the air and moisture out of the system. Moisture is the enemy of an AC system. Even a small amount of water inside the pipework and components will mix with the refrigerant and form acids that corrode the system from the inside. The vacuum test also tells us whether the system holds a seal. If the pressure drops during the vacuum hold period, there is a leak somewhere and we know not to proceed until that is found and addressed. Putting refrigerant into a leaking system is a waste of money for you and it means the gas will escape into the atmosphere, which is also not ideal.
Leaving a Low AC System Running Without Attention Can Damage the Compressor and Turn a Simple Regas Into a Much Bigger Job
A lot of people assume that a warm blowing air con is just an inconvenience, particularly during cooler months. But there is more to it than comfort. When the refrigerant level drops too low, the compressor, which is the pump that drives the whole AC system, can run without adequate lubrication. The lubricating oil in an AC system is carried around with the refrigerant, so if the refrigerant level drops significantly, the oil does not circulate properly and the compressor starts to wear. A compressor on a car like the Peugeot 107 is not a cheap component to replace. You are looking at a considerably higher bill compared to a straightforward regas service. The longer it is left, the greater the risk to that compressor. If you notice your air con has stopped being as cold as it used to be, or it is taking much longer than usual to cool the cabin down, it is worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later.
The System Was Vacuumed, Tested for Leaks, and Recharged to the Correct Manufacturer Specification Using R134a Refrigerant
Once the vacuum test confirmed the system was holding a seal with no leaks present, we proceeded to recharge it with R134a refrigerant to the correct specification for this vehicle. The regas machine measures the amount of refrigerant introduced precisely, so we are not guessing or eyeballing it. The correct charge weight matters. Too little and the system will not perform properly. Too much and you risk over-pressurising the system, which can cause components to fail or safety valves to vent. When the recharge was complete, we checked the outlet temperature at the vents inside the cabin to confirm the system was performing correctly. The air con was blowing cold again as it should be.
If Your Car's Air Con Is Blowing Warm Air, This Is What You Should Look Out For and How We Can Help at Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall
Air conditioning systems lose refrigerant gradually over time through very small amounts of natural permeation through seals and hoses. Most manufacturers suggest having the system regassed every two years or so, though many cars go longer than that before the driver notices a difference. The signs to watch for on your own car are simple. If the air coming from your vents is no longer cold even when the AC is switched on and set to its lowest temperature, that is the most obvious indicator. You might also notice that the system takes noticeably longer to cool the car down on a warm day compared to how it used to. A musty or unpleasant smell from the vents can indicate a separate but related issue with the cabin filter or the evaporator, which we can also check while the car is with us. If any of this sounds familiar, bring your car into Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall and we will carry out a full AC inspection and regas using the correct refrigerant for your vehicle. You can book in at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.
Peugeot Retrieval Job: The Surgical Work That Went On Under the Bonnet in Walsall
Peugeot Foreign Object Retrieval: Lug Nut and Broken Plastic Removed in Walsall
We had a Peugeot in not long ago with what you might call a double problem. A lug nut had dropped and found its way deep into a confined space inside the vehicle, and on top of that a broken plastic component had snapped off and fallen somewhere it had no business being. Neither piece was visible to the naked eye and neither was going to come out without patience and the right approach. This is the sort of job that does not look dramatic from the outside but demands a level of care and precision that you cannot rush.
The RALCAM Inspection Camera Showed Us Exactly Where Both Pieces Had Ended Up
The first thing we reached for was the RALCAM inspection camera. There is no point working blind on a job like this and the camera gave us a live view of exactly where each piece had ended up. The lug nut had wedged itself in tight and was not going to shift easily. The broken plastic piece was sitting deep inside what appeared to be an engine pipe or cavity, and it was not in a position where you could simply reach in and grab it. Before attempting any retrieval we needed to understand exactly what we were dealing with, and the camera told us everything we needed to know.
A Lug Nut in the Wrong Place Can Work Into Moving Parts, and Plastic Inside an Engine Pipe Can Cause Blockages and Break Down Further
Parts drop and components break during the course of a vehicle's life. Sometimes it happens during a previous repair, sometimes a plastic fitting becomes brittle with age and heat and simply gives way. The problem is not always the drop itself but what happens if it is left in place. A lug nut lodged in the wrong location can work its way into moving parts or create interference where there should be none. A broken plastic piece inside an engine pipe can restrict flow, cause blockages, or break down further and introduce debris into areas that need to remain clean. Neither of these things was something we were prepared to leave, and they should not be left in any vehicle.
Flexible Grabber for the Lug Nut, Heated Specialist Tool for the Plastic, Both Pieces Out Intact
The lug nut came down to persistence and the right tool. Using a flexible grabber and working carefully around the camera feed we guided the tool to the right position and pulled the nut free. It took time and more than a few attempts but it came out intact. The plastic component required a different approach entirely. We heated a specialist tool and carefully inserted it into the cavity. The heat caused the plastic to bond to the end of the tool. Once it had cooled and set firm we drew it back out slowly and the plastic came with it, complete with a green connector at its end. It sounds simple when you describe it but it takes a steady hand and the right judgement to carry out properly. As one of the lads said at the time, all that hard work for one small piece of plastic. But that small piece of plastic matters.
If you notice unusual sounds, restricted flow from any engine components, or you have had work done elsewhere and something does not feel quite right afterwards, it is worth having it looked at. Dropped parts and broken fragments inside a vehicle do not always announce themselves straight away. We are based in Walsall and work with customers across the West Midlands. If something is concerning you about your vehicle bring it in and we will take a proper look. Book in at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk or come in and speak to us directly.
