Halfords v KwikFit (air conditioning recharge)

Pid_16V

Pid_16V

Admin (Uncle Al)
Club Admin
Nov 20, 2006
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Mansfield (Robin Hood Country)
I'm thinking of getting my aircon recharged. I've checked both kwikfit and halfords websites, and they both charge £49 although halfords specify a FREE performance check before hand. Has anybody got any recent experience of either of these two cowbo......erm i mean companies?

EDIT:
Just found ATS doing it for £44.98
 
Anyone doing it has to do a pressure test first. It's to make sure the system has no leaks before they fill it up so they're not pumping the gases in to the air. There's a place on eBay advertising it for £29. Think it's a mobile one too. Don't quote me on that though as I only saw it briefly whilst sourcing an air con pump for a mate.
 
Around the £45 mark seems to be common.
I had mine done by my local Kwik Fit a couple of winters ago when they were offering it for £25.00 and they seemed competent enough although it's basically plug the machine in, connect the pipes and let it get on with it.
 
I took mine to Kwik-Fit, they pluged it in, told me I had a leak somewhere, I asked them can they tell me where to. They told me they do not offer that kind of service and I would need to go to a specialist to find out where it is. But they did not charge me for doing the test first.
 
As far as I know, air con specialists as standard are supposed to do a dye test before they fill the system. I'm sure the due acts as a system lubricant if there are no leaks and if there are you'll notice a bright yellow/green liquid escaping from the point of leakage.
 
V6SINGH said:
As far as I know, air con specialists as standard are supposed to do a dye test before they fill the system. I'm sure the due acts as a system lubricant if there are no leaks and if there are you'll notice a bright yellow/green liquid escaping from the point of leakage.
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That is correct Kully, if you go to ATS which i use all the time, the do a health check first with a dye, then if it has a leak they will tell you where and rough cost of repair if you wanted them to do it.. if no leak they will recharge, with the gas and the lubricant needed for the compressor..
 
Voucher redeemable against ATS retail prices at selected ATS Centres for the products or services stated on
voucher, subject to availability. Valid until 30th April 2010...??
 
True, odd that, but in big greeny lettering it *does* say 31/07/2012, so it's gotta be worth a go for the sake of a bit of ink. If getting it done at ATS :)
 
Gotta love those guys down at ATS!

Took the beemer in as she was losing a bit of air from the rear offside so though I'd get the aircon regassed at the same time. Rang up and they said get it down before 4 as the regas takes up to an hour.

Got there at 3.45 and chap said too late for regas so I said "oh well - just check the tyre then and I'll bring her back another day for the regas".

Turned out the alloy had been welded and was seeping air a little - said "can you fix it" - no says he - but we'll give you free top ups every time you pass if you want!!! I said "That's very kind of you - don't think I'll bother with the regas now as will probably get rid sooner rather than later".

After waiting for ages to get the car back I asked what the delay was and he said they were doing the regas - I said "Told you I didn't want the regas" so he said he would tell his mate to stop it. I said "Don't bother - might as well finish it now" so he did.

Asked him how much I owed and he said - on the house mate!!!!! - how much for looking at the wheel - on the house mate!!!!!

As stated - gotta love these ATS guys :)(y)
 
I wouldn't touch Kwik Fit for anything with two barge poles tied together, end to end. I've given several of their branches numerous chances in the past and on each and every occasion they've either ripped me off or tried to rip me off. I don't personally know anyone who's ever had a good experience with them. Wherever possible, I now take both of our cars to Mafia HQ for any servicing or repairs. Both cars are ready for a re-gas, so I'll be asking Nick next time I'm there if he does this. If not, and on the evidence above, I'll probably give ATS a try.
 
mofo sob said:
Gotta love those guys down at ATS!

Took the beemer in as she was losing a bit of air from the rear offside so though I'd get the aircon regassed at the same time. Rang up and they said get it down before 4 as the regas takes up to an hour.

Got there at 3.45 and chap said too late for regas so I said "oh well - just check the tyre then and I'll bring her back another day for the regas".

Turned out the alloy had been welded and was seeping air a little - said "can you fix it" - no says he - but we'll give you free top ups every time you pass if you want!!! I said "That's very kind of you - don't think I'll bother with the regas now as will probably get rid sooner rather than later".

After waiting for ages to get the car back I asked what the delay was and he said they were doing the regas - I said "Told you I didn't want the regas" so he said he would tell his mate to stop it. I said "Don't bother - might as well finish it now" so he did.

Asked him how much I owed and he said - on the house mate!!!!! - how much for looking at the wheel - on the house mate!!!!!

As stated - gotta love these ATS guys :)(y)
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One of your former clients Iain? :LOL:
 
Don't talk to me about Kwik-Fit. :cautious:
Last time I used them it resulted in a hefty insurance claim - both sills needed repairs due to not jacking the car properly and all four wheels got a refurb.
 
No I don't think they did air-con in those days. I did get a bit knocked off the price of the two tyres they fitted that day and then screwed them later with the insurance claim. Must have been in the region of about 2 grand (remove sill stonechip treatment, pull out sill dents, new stonechip, respray both sides of car including A and C pillars, waxoil sills and 4 wheels refurbed all at Ford dealer prices :LOL:).
 
My aircon is warm and i noted a small amount of a green fluid seeping from high up on a pipe going into the bulkhead behind the EGR pipes :eek:. May clean this up and replace the stupid ford clip with a jubilee then off to ATS.
 
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