Car Air Conditioning in Abbotskerswell

Abbotskerswell sits near Newton Abbot, reached by narrow country lanes, and plenty of people who live here commute out each morning. A car that fogs up on a damp lane, or that turns the cabin into an oven on the way home in summer, is more than a nuisance when you are spending that much time behind the wheel.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and car air conditioning and heating is one of the jobs we handle. We service and re-gas air con, trace faults, repair systems and fix heating problems. This page explains the common faults, how we approach them and what to include when you ask for a quote.

What makes a car air con system stop cooling?

Refrigerant is the obvious suspect. Over the years a little escapes naturally, and performance fades gradually enough that many drivers only notice when a hot day arrives. A sudden loss usually means a leak. The condenser sits at the front where it takes stones and road grit, and hoses and seals age with heat and vibration.

Beyond gas, we look at the compressor and its clutch, the cooling fans, pressure-related valves and the pollen filter. Weak airflow from the vents is more often a blocked filter or failing blower than a refrigerant issue.

• Cooling gets worse over a season
• Cold at first, then warm in traffic
• Clicking, then nothing, when the air con is switched on
• Water or odours inside the cabin

Will a re-gas fix it for good?

Only if nothing is leaking. Gas going in and then escaping again is the usual story when a leak is ignored, which is why we check the system for leaks as part of the job rather than assuming a top-up will do. Techniques like pressure testing and tracing the loss help us find the source.

If the system is sound, an air con service and re-gas restores it. If a part has failed, we explain which one and what the repair involves. Cost depends on the car, how easy the part is to reach and whether other components are affected, so ask for a quote.

Do you work on cars from Abbotskerswell and the villages around?

We do. Drivers from Abbotskerswell, Newton Abbot, Milber, Bickington and Liverton and the lanes between them. The garage address is Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL.

Because the approach roads can be narrow, plan your visit around the weather and your own journey, and get in touch beforehand with your car's make, model and what it is doing. Then we can talk through the likely work.

Why does my heater only work sometimes?

Intermittent heat is often a coolant issue. A low level, an air pocket or a thermostat that sticks open will leave the cabin cool even though the engine is running. A partly blocked heater matrix gives a similar picture, with one side warmer than the other or heat that comes and goes.

If the fan only works on certain settings, a resistor or blower motor may be the cause. Should you see the temperature gauge rising or steam from under the bonnet, pull over safely and switch off rather than carrying on.

• Low coolant warning
• Cold air even after a long drive
• Damp footwells or a sweet smell
• Blower stuck on one speed

What should I do before I get in touch?

Note when the problem started and whether it is constant. Mention any noises, smells or warning lights, and say whether the air con has been serviced before. Photos of any visible leaks help, but a description is fine.

Running the system for a few minutes regularly, summer and winter, keeps seals supple and helps prevent the slow decline that catches many commuters out.