Car Air Conditioning in Bickington

Bickington lies on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, close to the A38 and right on the edge of Dartmoor. The weather here changes quickly: damp, cool mornings on the moor edge, then warm, humid afternoons. A car's air conditioning does more than keep you cool, because it dries the air to clear the windscreen when the weather turns muggy.

At Automaster, our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes deals with car air con and heating faults of all kinds. We service and re-gas systems, diagnose why they have failed and carry out repairs, as well as fixing heaters that no longer warm the cabin. Read on for what to look out for.

Is my air con failing or just low on gas?

Slowly falling performance usually means the refrigerant is gradually leaking away. A sudden change points to something else: a failed compressor clutch, a blown fuse, a seized fan or a pipe that has split. Our job is to tell the two apart before any parts are bought.

We check pressures, look over the condenser and pipework, and listen to the compressor. If the gas is low, the question is why. Refilling a leaking system without finding the fault only gives you a short-lived improvement.

• Cool air only when the car is moving
• Compressor making a rattle or grind
• Ice or water around the vents
• Smell like damp socks on start-up

What does an air con service involve?

An air con service tests how the system is performing, recovers and refills the refrigerant to the level the manufacturer specifies and checks for signs of leaks. The pollen filter is worth looking at too, as a dirty one restricts airflow and can smell.

Exactly what is needed depends on the vehicle. Some cars have easily reached components and others need more dismantling, which affects the time involved. For that reason we would rather give you a quote based on your own car than a generic answer.

Can you help with a heater that blows cold on Dartmoor mornings?

Yes, and cold-morning problems are a good clue. If the heater is cold but warms later, the thermostat may be stuck open so the engine never reaches its temperature quickly. If it never warms at all, look at the coolant level and whether the matrix is blocked or air is trapped in the system.

Coolant loss deserves attention. Do not keep driving a car that is overheating, especially on faster A38 stretches or up hills, because engine damage can follow quickly. Pull over somewhere safe and let it cool before checking anything.

• Gauge reading cold for a long time
• Heater warm on one side only
• Coolant needing frequent topping up
• Fans or blower not responding

Do you take cars from Bickington, and where are you?

We do. Drivers from Bickington, Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh are welcome. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL, in the South Devon countryside.

If you are searching for an air conditioning garage near Bickington, call or message with your reg and the symptoms and we will talk through what we think is involved.

How can I make the system last?

Switch the air con on regularly all year round. The refrigerant carries oil that lubricates the seals, so a system left unused for months is more likely to leak. Keep the front grille area clear of leaves and replace the pollen filter when it is due.

When asking for a quote, give us your make, model and year, what the system does, and any history of re-gassing or coolant top-ups.