[s-cars] A/C Recharging and Recirculation question

[Tom Green]

Hi Jim,

There was a workaround on one of the lists or forums that enabled  
recirc for heat as well as a/c, but otherwise the a/c must be  
operating.  I can't imagine anyone wanting to recirc doggy breath  
without the a/c running.  : > )   Somebody needs to clean out the  
evaporator coils and plenum chamber before the car is delivered.  That  
is most likely not included or offered at an a/c shop.  I recommend  
you install a new cabin filter at this time also.  You might negotiate  
some or all of this work in the price in the job.  You will probably  
have to source the filter though, since the 342X213X20mm filter is not  
stocked even at the dealer.

$200 doesn't sound too bad IF he is pulling the system down with a  
commercial vacuum pump system that will get it near zero and has an  
automatic system that checks if it will hold the vacuum,
OR he allows sufficient time to manually determine if it will hold the  
vacuum.  THEN charges the system with a measured (by weight) amount of  
refrigerant (and his magic dye) and has a plan for
how much oil to add to the system.  THEN, if he provides a readout of  
the system status and pressures including duct temperature, all in the  
desired range for the system based on environmental conditions  
(temperature).  And, somebody reads and clears all the codes on the  
hvac system.  That's a $200 job.

If you are going to shop around, do so on the equipment, cleanliness,  
and reputation of the shop, not some low ball come-on price.

Prime has a universal rear seat cover if the dogs don't always ride in  
the rear.

http://www.audipartssuperstore.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1305


Tom '95 S6

> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 14:10:43 -0600
> From: "Jim Fleischer" <jim at almgt.com>
> Subject: [s-cars] A/C Recharging and Recirculation question
> To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <EDD9B6ADDF914FC69A2CD277C6B5A671 at jim5fc968a6e6a>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hey guys,
>
> So, I'm going in this week to get my A/C recharged.  It has been  
> blowing "cool," not cold since I've owned the car, about 4 years  
> now.  Steadily decreasing as the years have gone by.  Now it blows  
> ambient air temperature.  While it was blowing "cool" the  
> recirculation flap always worked.  Now that the A/C seems to have  
> lost all it's charge, the recirculation flap does not stay "on."   
> Are these two things related, for instance, will I get my  
> recirculation back when it gets recharged?  Or is it another problem  
> with the system?
>
> Also, I was quoted about $200 for a recharge, including some dye to  
> locate a current or future leak in the system.  Is this a fair  
> price, or should I shop around a bit more?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim Fleischer
> '95 s6 avant