Aircon regass

[OomStu_ZA]

So last week we had exceptionally high temps here in Cape Town ( 38 - 40 C). I drove around 80KM's on the hottest day and noticed the sound of the aircon compressor was louder, more audible, than usual. When I got home and pulled in to the garage I noticed a very strong smell similar to paint thinners and asked Google if that could be aircon gas which it said could very well be. I then contacted VW and was advised to book my vehicle in for inspection and also check the aircon gas levels. Took my vehicle in this past Tuesday and left it there for them to inspect. Later in the day they called to inform me the gas level was low (110 something something which should 350 something something). They refilled the gas now and also included a dye to see if there any leaks but need to drive 1000KM and then go back so they can inspect and see if there are any leaks. It is the first time that I have ever had the aircon gas refilled in any of my cars. My car is now 6 years old and guess it can be expected since I have the aircon on 24/7 and it even "feels" like it blows colder again. Lets hope this matter is now resolved.

[SRGTD]

Like you, I’ve always have the aircon on 24/7 in the cars I’ve owned and it’s never given me any issues, although it’s more efficient in some cars than others (it was very good in my Golf GTD as it is in my Renault Clio and I’d say it was adequate in the two Polos I owned). Some people don’t realise air con is for more than just cooling the car’s interior during the warm months - the dehumidifying effect of using the air con during the colder winter months also helps keep the windows clear, and these days I’d say the impact of running a modern car’s air con system has little - if any - negative effect on fuel consumption.

A few years ago, the VW dealership I used to use we’re running a special deal (a.k.a. cheap price) on air con service so I did succumb to having it serviced. I was expecting to notice a difference in its cooling effects after the service but it was essentially the same after the service as it was before. After that, I always politely declined any future attempts by dealership service advisors to coerce me into getting the air con serviced again and adopted the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach.

Hopefully the air con re-gas has fixed your issue any your back to cold air on demand .

[OomStu_ZA]

UPDATE: My vehicle is currently at the dealer because they have determined there is indeed a leak but they're unable to "see" it. Hence my vehicle slept there overnight because they now think it is a radiator located behind the dash and will need to remove it to confirm their suspicions. Once confirmed they then order the part but will return my vehicle to me while we wait. Just means my aircon wont work until then. As for cost, there is none thanks to the motor/maintenance plan.

[RUM4MO]

Lucky you having a warranty to pay for that!

I have been considering that that is what/where the leak is on my wife's 2015 6C Polo, one day I'll man up and get the system pressure tested - I might just get lucky and find that it is a condenser leak which I have not managed to locate without removing the front and removing the condenser.

A new condenser and lots of seals have been bought years ago - really hot weather is not an issue in central Scotland - well not for more than a week or two every few years!(our HOT is 24C)

[OomStu_ZA]

I collected my vehicle yesterday after VW confirmed there is indeed a leak and the part has been ordered. I will be going back on Jan 5th for that work to be completed and they also give me a loaner vehicle because the job ahead of them will take 2 - 3 days apparently.

@rum4mo Summer here is a little warmer than Scotland and while we only at the beginning of summer temps here have been around 25-35 Celsius. I drove back yesterday huffing and puffing because there is no aircon gas and VW wont refill it now because a fault has been detected, lol, the irony. Anyway it will get sorted sooner rather than later.

[OomStu_ZA]

UPDATE: Thought I would close this off this topic.

As things go the experience was not great to be fair. Below I'll post the email I eventually sent to the dealer principle and the technical manager at my local VW dealer:
--------------------------------------
My vehicle was booked in on the 5th of January and told it would be a 2 to 3 day job. I also must thank you for the loan vehicle provided for the duration my vehicle is with you and your team (2 weeks today).

On the 9th, I was informed that you were waiting for an O-ring. I eventually collected the vehicle on Thursday the 15th, only to discover that the air conditioning was not blowing any air through the centre console vents. How is this possible? I also requested that the coolant level be checked because the warning indicator came on as soon as the vehicle was started in your car park. The start button itself was also not correctly seated after the work was done and there were also loose wires in the passenger footwell. Due to these issues, I left the vehicle with you again on Thursday.

On Friday the 16th, I collected the vehicle once more and immediately noticed a rattle in the dashboard when I drove off and that the steering wheel this time was completely off-centre to the left (which it was not the day before on Thursday). I returned the vehicle immediately again after Russel came for a drive with me to show him what was happening. When I received it back later the same day, the dashboard rattle had been resolved (for some inexplicable reason the sound actuator was reconnected which was a problem from day one in 2019 and I asked the techs to disable it), however the vehicle was now pulling to the right while driving if the steering wheel was centred. When I queried the reason this happened I was informed they had to remove the steering column pin because of the work done to the aircon. It is totally unacceptable that the mechanic who did this did not check it was correct when replacing the steering column pin or that it wasn’t picked up on inspection once the work was completed . To add insult to injury I was asked when I had last done wheel alignment because this was not a problem before the vehicle was booked in at Barons N1. For the record I do tyre rotation, balancing, and, alignment every 6000KM’s which can be confirmed with Supa Quick here in Brackenfell. I am a strong believer in consistency when it comes to my vehicle and only have it serviced at Barons N1 and tyres at Supa Quick Brackenfell.

This sequence of events has been extremely frustrating. Each time I attempted to collect my vehicle, a new issue was presented. This raises serious concerns about the actual quality of workmanship and, more importantly, whether any final inspection or quality control is performed once work is completed.

I would like to know:
• Who is responsible for inspecting the vehicle before it is released to the customer?
• Why were these issues not identified before I was contacted to collect my vehicle —on multiple occasions even after you (Russel) assured me you would test my vehicle yourself?

I feel let down by the repeated inconvenience and lack of attention to detail, and I have lost confidence in the after-sales support provided. I expect a clear explanation and a proper resolution to ensure the vehicle is returned to me in a safe and correct condition.

I look forward to your prompt response.
--------------------------------------

At the end of the day the problems are now resolved since they fixed the steering column and wheel alignment. Thankfully it was all covered under my extended maintenance plan and I had the use of a loan vehicle while my car was in the "care". To make good they also filled up my fuel which was a nice gesture.

[SRGTD]

UPDATE: Thought I would close this off this topic.

As things go the experience was not great to be fair. Below I'll post the email I eventually sent to the dealer principle and the technical manager at my local VW dealer:

At the end of the day the problems are now resolved since they fixed the steering column and wheel alignment. Thankfully it was all covered under my extended maintenance plan and I had the use of a loan vehicle while my car was in the "care". To make good they also filled up my fuel which was a nice gesture.

Wow; that’s not good customer service to put it mildly. Sadly, from what I’ve read on other VW forums, the service provided by some of the large dealership groups in the UK isn’t much better (poor dealer service is one of the reasons I’m no longer a VW owner).

Good that everything’s now been sorted with your car and at least you got some free fuel .

[ho8882000]

Maybe you should try Bidvest McCarthy VW Parow next time.

I saw a brand new VW Caddy in Barons N1 City showroom with 2 deep scratch on the towbar at the beginning of this year. This tells me how careless are they.

UPDATE: Thought I would close this off this topic.

As things go the experience was not great to be fair. Below I'll post the email I eventually sent to the dealer principle and the technical manager at my local VW dealer:
--------------------------------------
My vehicle was booked in on the 5th of January and told it would be a 2 to 3 day job. I also must thank you for the loan vehicle provided for the duration my vehicle is with you and your team (2 weeks today).

On the 9th, I was informed that you were waiting for an O-ring. I eventually collected the vehicle on Thursday the 15th, only to discover that the air conditioning was not blowing any air through the centre console vents. How is this possible? I also requested that the coolant level be checked because the warning indicator came on as soon as the vehicle was started in your car park. The start button itself was also not correctly seated after the work was done and there were also loose wires in the passenger footwell. Due to these issues, I left the vehicle with you again on Thursday.

On Friday the 16th, I collected the vehicle once more and immediately noticed a rattle in the dashboard when I drove off and that the steering wheel this time was completely off-centre to the left (which it was not the day before on Thursday). I returned the vehicle immediately again after Russel came for a drive with me to show him what was happening. When I received it back later the same day, the dashboard rattle had been resolved (for some inexplicable reason the sound actuator was reconnected which was a problem from day one in 2019 and I asked the techs to disable it), however the vehicle was now pulling to the right while driving if the steering wheel was centred. When I queried the reason this happened I was informed they had to remove the steering column pin because of the work done to the aircon. It is totally unacceptable that the mechanic who did this did not check it was correct when replacing the steering column pin or that it wasn’t picked up on inspection once the work was completed . To add insult to injury I was asked when I had last done wheel alignment because this was not a problem before the vehicle was booked in at Barons N1. For the record I do tyre rotation, balancing, and, alignment every 6000KM’s which can be confirmed with Supa Quick here in Brackenfell. I am a strong believer in consistency when it comes to my vehicle and only have it serviced at Barons N1 and tyres at Supa Quick Brackenfell.

This sequence of events has been extremely frustrating. Each time I attempted to collect my vehicle, a new issue was presented. This raises serious concerns about the actual quality of workmanship and, more importantly, whether any final inspection or quality control is performed once work is completed.

I would like to know:
• Who is responsible for inspecting the vehicle before it is released to the customer?
• Why were these issues not identified before I was contacted to collect my vehicle —on multiple occasions even after you (Russel) assured me you would test my vehicle yourself?

I feel let down by the repeated inconvenience and lack of attention to detail, and I have lost confidence in the after-sales support provided. I expect a clear explanation and a proper resolution to ensure the vehicle is returned to me in a safe and correct condition.

I look forward to your prompt response.
--------------------------------------

At the end of the day the problems are now resolved since they fixed the steering column and wheel alignment. Thankfully it was all covered under my extended maintenance plan and I had the use of a loan vehicle while my car was in the "care". To make good they also filled up my fuel which was a nice gesture.

[OomStu_ZA]

Maybe you should try Bidvest McCarthy VW Parow next time.

I saw a brand new VW Caddy in Barons N1 City showroom with 2 deep scratch on the towbar at the beginning of this year. This tells me how careless are they.

UPDATE: Thought I would close this off this topic.

As things go the experience was not great to be fair. Below I'll post the email I eventually sent to the dealer principle and the technical manager at my local VW dealer:
--------------------------------------

Howzit ho8882000 , haven't seen you here for a while and saw your post the other day as well. Good to know you still have the MPI as well. Yeah I've been dealing with that branch for over 20 years now and never experienced bad service until my air con incident. I am prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt because we all mess up from time to time.

I've seen you provide a lot of technical information here and wondered if you work for one of the VW dealer franchises here in Cape Town?