My air con refuses to blow cold. Local garage have regassed it and tested for leaks, but still no joy. They say it is probably the drier as the condenser looks fine (no leaks) and the pipes do get a little cold when it's been running suggesting it partially working. They say it's a big job to get to it, quoting £300-£500 to replace the drier (if that's what's wrong). Is there anything I can do myself?

Nick, June 2006

OK the problem with Air Con is that the compressor that pumps your refrigerant gas around the system will not start unless the system is charged. This is a fail safe, to stop the compressor running when there is no gas in the system normally because of a leek. NO GAS MEANS NO OIL and then your compressor will seize.
Its one massive viscous circle, i work in commercial Air Con and the car companies can and will rip you off because the general public have no idea how the system works. All you can try and do is find a reliable person to sort it out which i know is very difficult.

Andy, January 2008

iwas charged 35pound just for them to pump gas into the air/con and was told there was no leaks but there was no power to the pump .
they then took back the gas by putting it back into there machine and also stole what was left in the car before itook it in around half full so they charge you then rob u then sell the gas what they took to someone else...ithought it was only dick turpin that wore a mask..please becareful galaxy owners that your air con powers up before they test it mine dosent power up even though it shows power on the swith as anyone got an idea what couid be wrong iwant to power it up before i get regased or rerobbed again by backstreet garage nastys yes ithink u can fix these your self with the right advice from someone who knows about galaxys or even vws cos thats all these are is volkswagen,,n ford hate them

mick, December 2006

The problem that DIY people always have with aircon is draining and refilling the gas. Its ilegal in the UK to vent the gas to the amosphere and you will still have to go back to the garage to have it regassed. (My local specialist charges £75 plus VAT for that alone.) The garage will drain thew gas into their machine and then put it back afterwards. I would shop around. We've just had a condenser fitted by an air con specialist for just under £300 - the part itself was about £120.

Terry, June 2006