One can only make a decision that was considered best at that particular point of time. No need to delve in hindsight; oh i should have done this or oh i could have done that etc etc.

You have a budget constraint, so what was fixed was what's best at that moment when you were at the shop. We can only offer advise based on what you described here and we were not in your shoe. Move on.

No need to diss recond compressor coz properly reconditioned unit is acceptable. My car is using a recond compressor too, and it has been working since 2006 until now. Last check by Ming Wah in July 2019 showed it was still in very good condition, only requiring a shaft seal change. It has ran for 300k km at least.

So instead of worrying aimlessly, what you can do now is monitor your newly repaired system for any anomalies and claim from vendor if any.

Great, thanks for the insight!
So servicing should be a yearly thing to avoid this right? Unlike the, 'use until there is a problem' advice which was given?

Only comment is better buy stock brand new compressor than recond. Previous experience it doesn't last long

There has never been any real set rule in car maintenance post-warranty, as with anything in life. One can move forward with both below

a) Plan a scheduled/planned/preventive maintenance from this point moving forward
b) React to unplanned/failure/shit-happens repair with better informed choices

I am a cost/performance guy, so my view maybe bias and being so take it with a big pinch of salt. I won't advice anyone to "over"maintain, so annual maintenance on air-conditioning system is a no-no for me unless you're a e-hailing/taxi driver piling >10k km a month. My baseline has always been around 60-100k km/4yrs. You can see it on my earlier posted photo. That was a 4yr old PAG with 90k km and it can set as a baseline for you too, disregarding the difference in compressor type (scroll/piston).

I am a fan of that refrigerant/PAG flush machine service available at those more discerning shop operators. All my cars are flushed and maintained using these type of machine whenever possible. I said whenever possible coz sometimes shit happens i.e. evaporator/cooling coil, magnetic clutch etc may konk out of the blue.

Granted everyone's annual mileage and driving style will be different, set your schedule at maybe 60k km/3yr for a start. This is assuming you're driving within reasonable day2day condition like no pedal2metal, extended high rpm etc etc. If you love sprinting/high rpm, shorten the schedule.

In between the schedule, keep a look-out for these below every 1-2mth

1. Aircond/cabin/pollen filter - always remember to not skimp on this..... I change it around 15-20k km
2. Radiator/aircond fan motor

Good luck.

Those aircond flushing machine, is it really extend the compressor life?

Without know what was the previous issue, it is really hard to tell. I guess you just need to use it first and see how it goes. If blackoil issue then doesn't matter you used ori or recon, the whole thing need to be change because the blackoil in cooling coil was not cleaned out. By reusing it, the blackoil will spread to all the components again.

ok harga

yes it does. It help to replace the dirty oil and clean the a/c without needing to open it up. It's actually something that help mechanic in ac service. Since they don't need to open up the pipes and all, you saved on changing orings, expansion valves, drier and less chances of having leaks.

I don't know for sure as I have only data sampling from 4 cars maintained using automated flush machine. Details as below

1. Kancil 660 - Ori factory compressor worked from 1997-2017. Start machine flush in 2006. Ran in tip top condition for 400+k km until was changed out due to greedy workshop, not coz konk while car was on loan to my uncle.

2. Wira - Started machine flush in 2008. Current recond compressor has been running since 2006 and done 300+k km. Last flush was July 2019

3. Elantra - Started machine flush in 2013. Due for a flush pronto, got delayed due to MCO. Ori factory compressor still running strong after 270k km.

4. Saga BLM - low mileage car. 1st flushed in 2013. Due for a flush soon, got delayed due to MCO. Ori compressor done just 70k km.


From the details above, hope you can form you own conclusion if system maintenance is worth your time/cost or not. Cheers.

Thanks for all the sharing!
Looks like my next target would be to save up to change the cooling coils as it was only flushed this time due to budget reasons.

Hopefully the recon compressor will last after the 3months warranty

Agree. I been doing it for all my cars since one of my friend accessories shop invested the service/flushing machine. I think at least 4-5 years back until now all my cars did not encounter any compressor KO or serious leak. It is a good practice to prolong your A/C system and also help change the cabin filter and prolong the life of cooling coil & condenser (If they also help wash during service)

What it's needed for car a/c preventive maintenance?
Just flushing of compressor oil ?
What about the gas and the condenser/cooling coil?

Any pricing indication of such service. Thanks

This post has been edited by senscents: Mar 2 2021, 04:06 PM

During flushing of the compressor oil, gas will automatically replenish using the same machine.

Regarding condenser/cooling coil they will help check if it is dirty or not. If dirty just wash.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Mar 2 2021, 05:01 PM

Thinking of doing the car's air cond flushing of compressor oil.
What about the a/c gas, do we need to flush/change/pop-up?

Any pricing indication of such service(s)?
Are the pricing the same for b, c, d, suv segment car?
Thanks

When I mentioned flushing, I meant the flush machine will

a) recover refrigerant --- xxx gram

b) repeated recharging and extracting old PAG till reach system limit

c) vacuum the aircond system and test leakage (vacuum hold)

d) tech will set the weight of refrigerant and volume of new PAG to charge in to aircond system, based on car make/model


Take note that if there is any deficiency in refrigerant weight between (a) and (d), car owner will most probably be charged extra for the refrigerant top up.


As for price indication, I dunno the latest but those below can be used for reference;

2006 - Kancil RM240 (Ayie) ---> Flush system, replace ori Denso receiver/drier, imported ISO46 PAG, 3.5hrs

2008 - Wira RM280 (Beta Resources) ----> Flush system, replace ori Denso receiver/drier, made in Canada ISO46 PAG, 3.5hrs

2011 - Kancil <RM150 (Denso SC) ---> Flush system , replace ori Denso receiver/drier, ND8 PAG, <1hr

2012 - Wira RM160 (Denso SC) ---> Flush system, replace ori Denso receiver/drier, ND8 PAG, <1hr

2013 - Elantra RM370 (Beta Resouces) ---> Flush system, no replacement of receiver/drier media, made in Canada ISO46 PAG, 3.5hrs

2016 - Wira RM210 (S8 Auto) --> Flush system, no replacement of receiver/drier, generic ISO46 PAG

This post has been edited by speedy3210: Mar 8 2021, 10:25 PM

The charges varies depending on different cars. Different cars got different PAG oil & gas requirement and capacity.
Besides that workmanship hours also need to consider.
Normal car average charges for A/C flushing service should be around 200 range, but if found need to change cabin filter or additional work or replacement part the cost will be higher.

Thanks all for sharing, good insight.😀
Will do the preventive maintenance.

Pffttt. I replaced the whole ac unit but used recond compressor cost me 2k. 2008 myvi. I knew I overpaid it. Shit.

Those who did your ac replacement or repair could you kindly mention the workshop too pls. For future reference. Tq

My old sister myvi, i sent aircond shop to replace compressor. Rm700 for recond or brand new exactly stock at rm1.4k. so after nego, take new at rm1.3k.

Cold as new on 7th years usage as new car

Anyone know which shop specialise in ac service and has a flushing machine in setapak?