Car Air Conditioning in Churston

If you live in Churston and the air con has stopped blowing cold, you are not alone. Most systems lose a little refrigerant over time, and one day the vents simply deliver warm air. The same goes for heaters that fade out halfway through a journey.

At Automaster we look after both sides of the cabin climate system: air-con servicing and re-gassing, fault finding and repairs, and heating faults. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Churston, Brixham, Paignton and Dartmouth bring their cars to us.

Why is my car air con not cold?

The usual cause is low refrigerant. Air-con systems are sealed, but small amounts escape slowly through hoses, joints and seals, so performance fades gradually rather than failing overnight. Other causes include a worn compressor, a blocked or damaged condenser, a faulty valve or a failed sensor or switch.

A blocked pollen filter does not stop the air being cold, but it chokes airflow so the car feels weak and can smell stale. We check it as part of looking at any complaint.

• Warm or only cool air from the vents
• Musty or sour smells when you switch it on
• Rattling or whining from the compressor
• Air con that works only some of the time

What does an air con re-gas involve?

A re-gas means recovering what is left in the system, checking how much came out, and refilling with the right type and amount of refrigerant for your vehicle. That is different from simply topping up from a can, which can overfill the system or hide a problem.

A leak check matters because a re-gas on a leaking system will not last. If the gas escapes again within weeks, you have paid for nothing. Finding the leak first tells you whether a re-gas is worth doing or whether a part needs attention.

Can you fix a car heater that blows cold?

Yes, we deal with heating faults as well as air con. No heat, or heat that comes and goes, can come from low coolant, a thermostat stuck open, an air lock, a blocked heater matrix or a blower that has stopped working.

Low coolant deserves a prompt look, because it may point to a leak elsewhere. If your temperature gauge is climbing into the red, stop driving and do not carry on with an overheating engine.

• Heater only warm at speed
• Sweet smell or misted screens
• No airflow at any fan setting

Do you cover Churston for air-con work?

Yes. Churston sits between Paignton and Brixham, close to the steam railway line and the routes towards Brixham and Dartmouth, and drivers from the village and the surrounding Torbay area are welcome at our garage.

Where do you bring the car? To Longcombe Cross, near Totnes. Tell us the make, model and year when you get in touch so we can talk through what to expect before you drive over.

How do I keep the air con in good shape?

Run it for a few minutes every week or two, even in winter, because the refrigerant carries lubricating oil round the system and regular use keeps seals supple. Systems left idle for months tend to leak sooner.

Keep the front of the car clear of leaves and debris so the condenser can shed heat, and have the pollen filter changed when it is due. If you hear the compressor grinding, switch the air con off and have it looked at.