Vauxhall Adam AC Failure: Hot Air Mystery Solved

Hey there! I have some experience working with cars and had a similar issue with my 2013 Vauxhall Corsa last summer. Super annoying when the AC fails, right? My AC was leaking refrigerant due to a cracked condenser and had similar symptoms, hot air and intermittent operation. Took it to my trusted mechanic who found that the system had a leak and needed refrigerant replacement plus condenser repair. Total bill came to around 495€, but it was worth fixing properly. What's the mileage on your Adam? Have you noticed any refrigerant puddles under the car? These details would help figure out if you're dealing with the same issue. Best to get it checked by a pro since AC systems can be tricky to diagnose properly. Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My mileage is at 255583 KM and I just had the regular service done last month. Haven't spotted any puddles under the car yet, but that's a good point about checking for leaks. Interesting that you had a similar issue with your Corsa. The price you mentioned seems reasonable, I was worried it might cost way more. Did your mechanic mention how long the repair took? I'm trying to figure out if I need to arrange alternative transport while it's being fixed.

Hey again! Yeah, I remember when I replied about my Corsa situation earlier. Since you're asking about the repair time, my AC fix actually took about 4-5 hours total. The mechanic needed time to properly diagnose the issue, fix the condenser, and recharge the system. I dropped it off in the morning and picked it up late afternoon. In your Adam's case, with that mileage (mine was around 220,000 KM when I had the issue), it might also be worth having them check the compressor while they're at it. When my mechanic was working on my Corsa, he noticed the compressor was showing some wear too, though luckily it didn't need replacing yet. Looking back at your symptoms, they're really similar to what I experienced. The intermittent operation and hot air were exactly what I dealt with. But you know what's funny? I initially thought it was the control valve too (just like you mentioned), but it turned out to be that cracked condenser instead. Quick tip based on my experience, if you're planning to get it fixed, try to schedule it early in the morning. That way, if they find any additional issues that need parts, they might be able to get them the same day. I learned this the hard way when I took mine in late afternoon and had to leave it overnight!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! That's really helpful to know about the timing, I'll definitely try to book it in for an early morning slot. It's actually a relief to hear that your symptoms were so similar to mine, even though it turned out to be the condenser rather than the control valve. I think I'll go ahead and book it in with my local mechanic next week. Better to get it sorted before summer hits full force! I appreciate you sharing all those details about your repair experience, especially the heads-up about checking the compressor. With my mileage being even higher than yours was, that's definitely something worth looking into. Thanks again for taking the time to help out, it's made me feel much more confident about getting this fixed! I'll update the thread once I know what the actual problem turns out to be.