T6 Transporter Air CON Saga
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Sorry it’s taken so long to write up this shambles, busy year.
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Back in March I noticed a squeal from the engine bay. After a few days I worked out that it disappeared when I turned off the AC. Knowing that the system also takes PAG oil during a re-gas, I booked a re-gas at a well known fast fit centre (KF).
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The (Centre Manager) had to ask another fitter how to use the machine. I also had to tell the (CM) what refrigerant and oil to use. Red flag right there. Anything built from January 2017 must use R1234yf thanks to the EU regulations. Fabulous, it’s almost twice the price.
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The system was re-gassed and the squealing disappeared. The air was icy cold so I was happy.
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The month of June comes and the Air Con isn’t quite keeping the van cool enough so I return to (KF).
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Lo and behold, it’s the same (CM).
He proceeds to “re-gas” the system” and afterwards I have absolutely no cold air and a management light on the dash. I plugged in the Carista to find a Zero pressure code.
Now, having done some research, I asked how much refrigerant he’d put in in March. 600 he says. I asked him how much his machine just removed? 600 apparently. So no leaks then, in my mind anyway.
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Off I pop on the hottest day of the year to pick up clients from the airport with no Air Con whatsoever, no option as their flight was landing as I left KF. Fortunately they were from Florida so over 120F didn’t bother them too much.
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After this job I popped into a well known motoring store for a DIY kit. I nearly passed out at the price. However, this proved that the CM at KF was at it. Obviously angling at a repair that wasn’t needed.
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Overnight I did some more research and discovered that the tri zone climatronic takes more refrigerant. KF only put in 600. Due to the two condenser’s in the Transporter Shuttle with tri zone AC, it should be 830 or 900 depending on what you read.
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The next day I went to KF rivals, FA. Their CM saw the van and asked “do you have two condenser’s?” Why, yes I do! I explained the problem and one hour, and a full Scottish breakfast, later I had two fully re-gassed systems, with the correct levels, with frosty the snowman levels at one end and toxic levels at the other. Happy days
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Moral of the story, do your research first and ask questions. Make sure these supposed experts know what they’re doing.
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