AC Gas Refilling & Recharge
A car's AC is a sealed loop, so it does not use up gas. If it has gone warm, refrigerant has escaped, and topping it up from a can only delays the next failure. A proper recharge recovers the remaining gas, tests that the system holds a vacuum, then refills it by weight with the correct oil.
From AED 89Final price on a written quote after diagnosisConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- 1-2 hours
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
Signs you need ac gas refilling & recharge
- Air that was icy last summer is now only slightly cool, especially in traffic
- Cold on the highway but warm when you stop at a signal
- The compressor clutch clicks on and off every few seconds
- Ice or frost on one of the AC pipes under the bonnet
- A hissing sound from the dash when you switch the AC off
- Vent temperature that takes ten minutes or more to drop
What usually causes it
Slow leak through ageing seals
Rubber O-rings and hoses lose refrigerant slowly over years, and heat speeds it up. A system that has lost a third of its charge still blows cool at speed but fails in traffic.
Previous partial top-up
A can of gas with unknown oil and sealant can leave the system overfilled or underfilled. The pressures then look wrong even though gas is present.
Moisture or air in the circuit
If the system was opened for a repair without being vacuumed properly, moisture forms acid and freezes at the expansion valve, so the cooling comes and goes.
Wrong refrigerant type or amount
Cars use R134a or the newer R1234yf, and the correct charge is a precise weight on the under-bonnet label. Even a hundred grams too much raises pressure and cuts cooling.
How we do ac gas refilling & recharge
- 1
Gauge reading before anything is touched
Low-side and high-side pressures plus vent temperature show whether the fault is undercharge, overcharge or a blockage, and save a recharge that would not have helped.
- 2
Recover and weigh the old gas
The remaining refrigerant is recovered into a machine and weighed. How much came out tells us how much has leaked since the last service.
- 3
Vacuum hold test
The system is pulled into a deep vacuum for around half an hour. If the gauge rises, there is a leak or moisture, and we move to leak detection rather than refilling.
- 4
Recharge by weight with oil and dye
The exact charge goes in with the compressor oil your system uses, and UV dye if you agree. We confirm the outlet temperature at the centre vent and pressure readings are correct.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Cabin cooling in a Dubai summer has to cope with a cabin that can reach 70 degrees after sitting in the sun. Refrigerant charge matters far more here than in cooler countries, because a system that is a little low gives up exactly when the ambient is at its worst, often in a queue at midday.
Questions about ac gas refilling & recharge
Why is my AC warm again after a refill elsewhere?
Because a leak is still there. A refill that skips the vacuum test just replaces gas that will escape again. We test for a leak so the cooling lasts.
How often should the AC be regassed?
A healthy sealed system does not need regular regassing. If you need a top-up every season, there is a leak that should be found.
Do you handle R1234yf cars?
Yes, newer cars use R1234yf, which has different equipment and fittings from R134a. Tell us your model and year when booking and we will confirm.
Is the pickup included in the price?
Pickup and delivery is an optional service, priced separately by location and itemised on your written quote before any work starts. You can also drop the car off yourself.
Is the diagnosis free?
Diagnosis is free if you go ahead with the repair and charged if you do not. The amount is stated on the quote first.
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Get a written quote
Tell us about your car. You get an itemised quote before any work starts, and you choose OEM, aftermarket or used parts.