Air Con Problem - I've done the tests and...

... I'd like some confirmation that what I think I'm seeing is correct.

Obviously, my Air Con isn't working :-( When I switch on the Air Con, the revs rise a little and fall back again when I switch it off. It used to work, but it hasn't been used for over 6 months and now I get no cold air at all.

I've powered up the car with the Auto and Recycle buttons held in, as described in the test pdf, and then shone the torch onto the solar sensor to get rid of the Defrost flashing and then it flashes the Auto lights only, which appears to tell me that the electronics are OK.

I've looked in the small round inspection window, next to the grey H knob under the bonnet, before starting the engine, and it's empty.

Well, I say it is empty, but it could actually be full as the liquid is clear and I can't tell. I start the engine and that window fills up and you can see tiny bubbles 'shimmering' in there and theres a very slight build up of froth on the left hand side of the window. The liquid stays clear the whole time. Again, from all the posts I've read so far, this is OK.

So, the question I have is whether I'm looking a a simple gas recharge or are there other things I should be looking at?

Can I test the pressure myself?

The sticker under the bonnet says R134 (or something like that), so I was wondering if anyone can recommend somewhere local to me for refilling it?

How much should it cost?

When they fill it, what do they put in? Is it clear gas, or is it the fluid that I can see in there at the moment? If it's gas, what's the fluid? Maybe the gas turns to liquid?

Sorry for all the questions - I'm just curious!

Thanks for your time.

Phillip Eaton

its just a simple task of recharging the system. air bubbles in the sight glass shows low on gas.

Just had mine refilled...£60+vat