Car Air Conditioning in Buckfastleigh

Driving around Buckfastleigh means moorland hills, tourist traffic around the steam railway and Buckfast Abbey, and long climbs where an engine and its cooling circuit are working hard. The heater draws on that same cooling circuit, so heating problems and engine temperature are linked in a way that matters.

Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, deals with air-con servicing and re-gassing, diagnostics and repair, and heating faults on petrol and diesel cars and vans. Here is what we see most often and how to prepare for a quote.

Air conditioning garage near Buckfastleigh: what do you check first?

We start with the symptoms you have noticed: temperature of the air, strength of the airflow, any smell and any noise. Then the system is tested to see whether pressure is correct and whether it holds.

Refrigerant that has gradually escaped is the most common finding, but a failed compressor, an electrical switch or a blocked filter can produce a similar complaint.

• Air only cool, never cold
• Smell like damp socks when the fan starts
• Squeal when the compressor engages

Leaks, compressors and condensers explained

The air-con circuit is sealed, but its joints and hoses flex with engine movement and age. A leak may be at a pipe, a seal or the condenser, which sits low and forward and collects road debris.

The compressor is the heart of the system and runs on a belt from the engine. Noise, a seized pulley or no cooling at all can point to it. Replacing a compressor is a bigger job than a re-gas, so the overall cost depends heavily on what is found.

Should I re-gas my car air con or fix the leak first?

If gas is escaping, topping up without finding the leak is only a short-term answer. A leak check, followed by repair if needed and then a re-gas, gives you cooling that lasts.

Keep the system used. Switching the air con on for a short time each month, including winter, helps keep seals supple and oil circulating, which reduces the chance of leaks.

Heating on a moorland climb: why does my car heater go cold?

Hills and cold air quickly reveal a weak heater. Low coolant, a thermostat stuck open, an air lock or a blocked heater matrix are the typical causes, and a failed blower can leave you with hot pipes but no airflow.

Because the heater is part of the engine cooling system, a rising temperature gauge, a coolant warning or steam means stopping safely. Do not carry on over the moor with an overheating engine.

Where do I bring my car from Buckfastleigh?

Bring it to Automaster at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from Buckfast, South Brent, Holne and Totnes come to us for the same work.

When you ask for a quote, give us the make, model and year, describe the symptoms and say whether the problem is constant or comes and goes. Any recent work on the engine cooling or front end is worth mentioning.