V50 (2005) air-con issue - possible leak

[Kikovuk]

Hi Everyone,

We recently purchased V50 (2005) and during the few hot days we had last month i discovered that the air-con wasn't working. I presumed that it was empty so I booked the car into Kwik-Fit to recharge it and test it for leaks and £50 later I had the car back with ice cold air-con, apparently it was completely empty.
Three weeks later another hot day and I discoverers that even at a LO position the air out of the vents was the same temperature as the air from the outside. I am pretty sure that the system is empty again.
Does anybody know if there is a weak point in the system and roughly how much will it cost me to get it repaired. Also is there a point of going back to Kwik-Fit and asking them to check it again, it was done 6 weeks ago and there must be some guarantee on their work.
Many thanks in advance.

[jimmy57]

The only weak point on the P1 platform cars is the compressor being low and vulnerable for curb hits. I am not aware of any pattern of refrigerant leaks. The system should have black light visible leak detection dye in the system and a shop with a black light for leak finding might be able to spot the leak without much work.

[MoVolvos]

Hi Everyone,
Also is there a point of going back to Kwik-Fit and asking them to check it again, it was done 6 weeks ago and there must be some guarantee on their work.
Many thanks in advance.

It would not hurt to go back but do find out what is free and what is not in terms of having them look at it again. Most work is guaranteed for at least 90 days here in the States. They should have pulled a Vacuum Test on the System before recharging it as the leak is fairly large if Refrigerant leak is the problem.

The system should have black light visible leak detection dye in the system and a shop with a black light for leak finding might be able to spot the leak without much work.

Again, if it is a large leak they could have found it Engine side of the Firewall with the Black Light if the Dye is OE Added. That would be 2 Strikes for Kwik-Fit if the above were correct.

Blessings,
BKM
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