Air Con Re-gas in Ivybridge

Ivybridge has a lot of commuter traffic heading for Plymouth along the A38, and when you are sitting in it, working air conditioning makes a real difference. Add the steep roads up towards the moor and a car has plenty of demands on it.

At Automaster we re-gas car air con for all makes and models, petrol and diesel. Here is how the service works, what it costs, and how to tell whether your car is due.

Is my Ivybridge commute making my air con work harder?

It can feel that way. Stop-start commuter traffic on a warm morning is when a weak system shows itself, with air that is slow to cool or never quite cold.

Gas leaves a system slowly over time, so it is common to realise the problem only when you need cooling most. Other signs include a musty smell or noise from the compressor.

Using the air con is good for it, so a commuter car that runs it often is not a bad sign in itself. What matters is whether it still cools when you ask it to. If it does not, a re-gas is the usual next step.

• Air not cold
• Slow to cool
• Musty smell
• Compressor noise

What are the four steps of a car air con re-gas?

First, the old gas is removed. Second, the system is vacuumed and checked for leaks. Third, oil and dye are added. Fourth, new gas is added and the temperature checked.

Because we have full facilities for air con re-gas, all of that is done in one place at our garage.

People often ask whether it is simply a top-up. It is not: the old gas comes out first, and the system is vacuumed and checked before anything new goes in, so you know what you are starting with.

What does a re-gas cost for R134a and R1234yf?

Re-gas prices start from £50 for R134a. For the newer R1234yf gas the starting price is from £99 for R1234yf.

If you are unsure which applies to your car, send us the details through the quote form, or call the quote line.

Do you cover Ivybridge, and where do I bring my car?

Yes, drivers from Ivybridge bring their cars to Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL. We also see customers from South Brent, Ermington, Modbury and Kingsbridge.

We are an RAC Approved Garage, and our work covers petrol and diesel vehicles.

If you are not sure whether your car counts as a straightforward job, tell us the make and model on the quote form. All makes and models are covered, and the gas type is the main thing that changes the price.

Can I turn up, and which gas does my car take?

R134a re-gas needs no booking. You turn up and wait while the job is carried out. That does not apply to R1234yf.

R134a is the older gas, and R1234yf is fitted to more recent cars, typically from around 2017 onward. Look for a label under the bonnet or check the handbook. The gases are not interchangeable. Our leak check matters because a re-gas on a badly leaking system will not last, and regular year-round use of the air con helps keep it healthy.