[Ritzvxi]

Hi All,

My Ritz VXI has crossed the 50K mark. While servicing at the MASS, I was asked about the AC servicing, and was quoted around 3.5K for the same. Can someone please throw some light on, if this is necessary to be done, I am currently facing no issues with the AC in my car.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by Ritzvxi

Can someone please throw some light on, if this is necessary to be done, I am currently facing no issues with the AC in my car.

No need at all if your A/C is functioning normally. Just change the cabin air filter and get the regular service done.

Beware of all non-standard items like injector cleaning, engine decarbonization, engine flush etc. Avoid all these.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by Ritzvxi

Hi All,

My Ritz VXI has crossed the 50K mark. While servicing at the MASS, I was asked about the AC servicing, and was quoted around 3.5K for the same. Can someone please throw some light on, if this is necessary to be done, I am currently facing no issues with the AC in my car.

Are you observing any change in A/C performance or cooling capacity !!!

If not, Keep Calm and Carry On.

This is just a fleecing work. Actually, M.A.S.S will not even evacuate the compressor and coil during this service. They will just check pressure and refill if its low, if you are not around when they are doing this.

This is something that can be done by any major workshops near your house. Just make sure proper refrigerant is added.

[Ritzvxi]

Originally Posted by prithm

Are you observing any change in A/C performance or cooling capacity !!!

If not, Keep Calm and Carry On.

This is just a fleecing work. Actually, M.A.S.S will not even evacuate the compressor and coil during this service. They will just check pressure and refill if its low, if you are not around when they are doing this.

This is something that can be done by any major workshops near your house. Just make sure proper refrigerant is added.

Thanks prithm for your timely update. I was thinking that, it is needed as a routine 50K checkup, the SA strongly advised me to get it done as it is not included in the regular 10K service.

Does any one on the forum has details on the check points to be considered while getting the AC serviced.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by Ritzvxi

Thanks prithm for your timely update. I was thinking that, it is needed as a routine 50K checkup, the SA strongly advised me to get it done as it is not included in the regular 10K service.

Does any one on the forum has details on the check points to be considered while getting the AC serviced.

Yup. They push you just to make sure their target is reached.

Nothing wrong with it, but they should be sincere in doing their job. If you can spend time on the workshop floor, go for it. Usually, they ask you chill out in the A/C Customer Lounge, but that means they want to have freehand in whatever they want to do.

During A/C servicing, they will have to completely evacuate the A/C system.

Check Low and High Pressure values in A/C gauges.

Check for leaks using leak detecting liquid. Desi version is soap water.

Check for pipe vibrations.

Check for evaporator corrosion.

Check for evaporator dust clogging.

Check for evaporator fin bends and leaks.

Check for A/C filter clogging. Change is needed in case of mildew growth.

Check for cabin fan speed variable.

Check for air inlet / recirculate modes.

If you ask me honestly, if they will do at least 5 point checks you are lucky.

Insist for complete evacuate / drain A/C refrigerant if you are going for full service. Else, its of no use paying premium price on something that can be achieved by local mechanics.

[Ritzvxi]

Originally Posted by prithm

Yup. They push you just to make sure their target is reached.

Nothing wrong with it, but they should be sincere in doing their job. If you can spend time on the workshop floor, go for it. Usually, they ask you chill out in the A/C Customer Lounge, but that means they want to have freehand in whatever they want to do.

During A/C servicing, they will have to completely evacuate the A/C system.

Check Low and High Pressure values in A/C gauges.

Check for leaks using leak detecting liquid. Desi version is soap water.

Check for pipe vibrations.

Check for evaporator corrosion.

Check for evaporator dust clogging.

Check for evaporator fin bends and leaks.

Check for A/C filter clogging. Change is needed in case of mildew growth.

Check for cabin fan speed variable.

Check for air inlet / recirculate modes.

If you ask me honestly, if they will do at least 5 point checks you are lucky.

Insist for complete evacuate / drain A/C refrigerant if you are going for full service. Else, its of no use paying premium price on something that can be achieved by local mechanics.

Oh I am so sure, all the above mentioned points are not going to be done, still I am planning to be around the car while the AC servicing is done and try and get most of the points ticked.

It is going to be very reassuring to have this list handy while getting the job done!

[@sohel]

Hi i was in similar situation. I have chevrolet aveo uva 2010 and ac performance was okay but blower speed was a bit low as compared to earlier performance. I went to a reliable workshop guy and quoted me 3k for full ac servicing which will include coil cleaning, change filter and refrigerant. He informed that this is due to clogged filters and coil accumulates lot of dust which hampers performance. I am yet to collect the car this evening and will share the observations.

[Geo_Ipe]

Need some advice from the gurus!

My 2005 santro Xing's AC has been acting funny for the past few months. When the car is running, the AC cools fine. However, when I'm in crawling traffic or waiting at signals, the cooling stops, even though the blower is working well.

I've zeroed down the problem to the condenser switching itself off when the engine speed is low! If I'm idling and the air blowing out is not cool, if I give the engine some revs, there will be a sudden drop in revs (even when my throttle input is constant) and cool air starts blowing.

Who could be the culprit here? Someone suggested that the magnetic clutch engaging the condenser could be at fault. Could it? If it is, what kind of repair estimate would I be looking at?

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by Geo_Ipe

...I've zeroed down the problem to the compressor switching itself off when the engine speed is low! If I'm idling and the air blowing out is not cool, if I give the engine some revs, there will be a sudden drop in revs (even when my throttle input is constant) and cool air starts blowing...

The fault was narrowed down to a faulty ISA (Idle Speed Actuator) valve - which was causing irregular idling for a few months now. Changing the valve should clear the idling and AC issues!

[gopi_rm]

Hi Guys,

Re-posting here from Punto niggles thread.

I bought an used Grande Punto in Germany and came to know during summer that AC is not working. Took it to the workshop and the mechanic had checked the gas level and told its almost empty and he re-filled it (all using one machine). It was 2 months ago. After refilling, the AC worked fine and the cooling was ok. But since last week as the weather became hot I started using AC again and the cooling effect is very less. If I keep the blower speed at 1 or 2 then I can feel the cold air but at max speed the air is not cold enough. It makes no difference whether recirculation mode is on or off. Also I can hear the hissing sound through vents when I switch on the AC and can feel the compressor is running through engine speed variation and vibration.

I suspect there is some leak in the AC circuit. Whether any one experienced similar issue?

[gopi_rm]

Originally Posted by gopi_rm

I suspect there is some leak in the AC circuit. Whether any one experienced similar issue?

Update:
Went to Fiat workshop for the diagnosis and after doing UV test, the mechanic confirmed there are many small leaks in the condenser and it must be replaced.
Will get a quote for the replacement part and labour charges tomorrow. Since it is OEM workshop the cost will be on higher side. So I will also consult the local garage and make a decision.

[sgiitk]

@gopi_rm; You will save at least 50-60% on going for a specialized refrigeration fellow. You are likely to be getting the same condenser.

Remember cars are actually ensembles assembled from components from a myriad sources.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by gopi_rm

Went to Fiat workshop for the diagnosis and after doing UV test, the mechanic confirmed there are many small leaks in the condenser and it must be replaced.

Confront them on their diagnosis - ask them to show/prove that the condenser has leaks, chances are they will cook up some story.
Hence, for AC related work, always go to a specialist who has expertise servicing car ACs.

*Which city are you located in ?

[sgiitk]

@NPV; grit for the road can easily perforate the condenser. I lost mine from the Civic within a year due to this. Since the condenser is aluminium it is not repairable.

[dass]

The amount of air that comes out of the blowers from my 2013 Dzire VDI at speed 1 is very low. the cabin filter is replaced regularly, but has had no impact on the air flow. The SA says this is normal, But I am sure it cannot be this low. What else can I do to increase the air flow speed? At 1, it flow barely reaches the front seat occupants.