1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

AC dealer re-gas price rise UK

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by picassopigeon, Feb 28, 2019.

  1. picassopigeon

    picassopigeon Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2013
    49
    5
    0
    Location:
    Plymouth, UK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Have to get my AC compressor replaced, so I've looked at the price of a main dealer AC re-gas.
    Last May I had a re-gas before driving across Europe that cost £37.50. I've just been quoted £130 just for a re-gas!! They told me it was due to the price of the gas and the time taken to carry out the job.

    Looks like that's my only option in the UK now as nobody wants to work on a hybrid system in my area, and there are no guarantees that their AC equipment is clean for ND11 oil.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2018
    177
    132
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If it just needs a recharge, can you not just buy the r134 gas, at a local shop? and the States you can get it at any Walmart or other auto parts store along with a gauge and a hose that goes to the low side. there should be no reason for it to be more complicated for a shop to do on a hybrid. You turn on the AC system turn it to Max and pump it in just like you do any other car.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Skibob likes this.
  3. picassopigeon

    picassopigeon Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2013
    49
    5
    0
    Location:
    Plymouth, UK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Local regassers seem reluctant to work on a HV Prius. They also don't carry the correct oil for the compressor unfortunately.
    I see in many of these gas kits they also come with PAG oil added, so again not good for the Prius compressor.
    There seem to be more widespread availability of the gas without added oil in the USA

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2018
    177
    132
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I wonder if you could get someone from the states to ship you some straight r132 and a basic hose with a pressure gauge. But I'm not sure if the Postal service would allow you to transfer the gas without some special permit.
    or even a full manifold set, you can get them at Harbor Freight tools for $50-60 I think.

    I wasn't aware that the Prius used a different oil, I thought the oil needed was supposed to be compatible with the refrigerant used. But I can understand that's a Prius compressor is different than most since it's a variable-speed compressor.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,494
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The phone is your friend here. Call around and find a place that sells it without the oil in it. If you feel a need to add oil buy a dye injector and fill it with the correct oil.
     
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The UK, now still a part of the EU has banned the production of R134a. Regulation of it's use is highly regulated and fines for violations are very stiff.

    Hybrid AC service requires a separate set of equipment that is dedicated for hybrid AC service only, since any remnant of other refrigerant oils can and likely will damage a hybrid AC system.
     
    picassopigeon likes this.
  7. picassopigeon

    picassopigeon Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2013
    49
    5
    0
    Location:
    Plymouth, UK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
  8. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2018
    177
    132
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well that really sucks, I'm guessing they replaced r134a with r1234 a? That stuff is really nasty it's also flammable, sounds like a great idea doesn't in having flammable gas under the hood of your car...
    I don't see why you would need special equipment to charge a hybrid AC system. It fundamentally works exactly the same way. you turn the system on maximum cooling and any standards r134 gauge set should work. it certainly has work for my friend who is recharged his system without any issues at all. I understand there may be regulations preventing you from doing so but the reality is it'll work, serious too bad you can't buy the gas. And it states you can buy it at any Walmarts or six bucks for 12 oz


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    picassopigeon likes this.
  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    No special equipment is needed, just a complete set of equipment NEVER used with PAG oils. Read my original post. Any conductive oil residue left in hoses or equipment and introduced into an electric compressor can damage it.

    Not many shops want to invest in a duplicate set of equipment for the occasional customer who needs his or her Prius AC serviced.
     
    picassopigeon likes this.
  10. John321

    John321 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2018
    1,104
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    A system that has been completely discharged will probably need a full service. Evacuation, cleaning, adding the right amount and type of compressor oil then a recharge. Each of these steps does require specialized tools. Not out of the scope of a Do it Yourselfer but certainly not a good economic investment for a one time user.
    The one poster made an excellent point about how increased regulation will force the price to become very high. Sometimes regulations are designed for exactly that purpose to make it economically not feasible for an individual to repair. Eventually forcing the individuals to abandon certain technology just because of the cost. Very unfortunate policy in cases like this where a private individual just wants to maintain their vehicle.

    Here is a product that is used in the US. I will include a link to it. It may not have an option to ship to another country.

    A/C Pro R-134a Hybrid Vehicle Lubricant Charge | 656074 | Pep Boys

    It looks like the link only takes you to the sellers webpage, once there you need to do a search for A/C Pro R-134a Hybrid Vehicle Lubricant Charge or do a google search for the product.

    If the link doesn't work it is a Hybrid Recharge Kit for cars that use A/C electric compressors, its price is $12 us. Perhaps UK regulations prevent these products from being sold to Do it Yourselfers. In this case the individual is subject to the dealer price structure for this type of work.

    another link https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/interdynamics-3992/chemicals---fluids-16461/air-conditioning-chemicals-16497/lubricants-17775/ec354b44a2e2/interdynamics-r-134a-hybrid-refrigerant/hyb1/4384860
     
    #10 John321, Mar 2, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2019
    picassopigeon likes this.
  11. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2018
    177
    132
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I don't think that is true.. the motor is a 3 phase brushless AC. And the motor windings are sealed, a small amount of metallic particles should not bother it. The transmission uses the same setup, and has metal gears lubricated by thin ATF.

    I'm also not sure the refrigerant even passes thru the motor area.. I found a cut away picture . But it's hard to tell. priitwoac-comp1.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    picassopigeon likes this.
  12. DMC-5180

    DMC-5180 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2013
    292
    134
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    [QUOTE="kens97uber171, post:

    I'm also not sure the refrigerant even passes thru the motor area.. I found a cut away picture . But it's hard to tell. View attachment 167307

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.[/QUOTE]

    Your cut away picture has the view with ports missing.

    The S port ( Low pressure Cold Gas), which serves to cool the motor components, is located located on the Right end in the photo below. The D (High pressure hot Gas) is at the Left end. It is an electric scroll type Compressor.

    IMG_1447.jpg


    iPhone X ?