Car Air Conditioning in Ermington

Ermington lies in the River Erme valley, reached by narrow country roads, and many people who live here drive out towards Ivybridge and Plymouth each day. The mix of lanes and commuter miles means short cold-start trips in the morning and slow queues later, which is hard on climate-control systems.

Our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes handles air-con servicing, re-gassing, diagnostics and repair and heating-system repairs for petrol and diesel vehicles. Here is the practical side.

Is it the refrigerant, or something else?

Low refrigerant is the usual cause of a warm air con, but it is not the only one. A seized compressor, a faulty pressure switch or a blocked condenser can also lead to warm vents.

A leak check and pressure test show which it is. It is worth asking for that rather than a straight top-up.

Mention whether cooling improves at higher speed. That one detail separates airflow trouble from a genuine loss of gas.

Why valley roads and short trips are tough on your heater

Cold starts on short journeys mean the engine rarely heats fully. A thermostat stuck open will make that worse, and so will low coolant. A blocked heater matrix gives you a heater that blows lukewarm air only.

If you notice the coolant level dropping, find out why. A leak is not something to leave.

If the heater works but the fan does not, that is a different job altogether, usually a blower motor, resistor or fuse.

Heater problems that start suddenly, such as cold air after the engine has warmed up, can also point to a coolant level that has dropped, so it is worth checking the reservoir when the engine is cold.

Re-gas, leak check and repair: how they fit together

Re-gassing refills refrigerant and oil. A leak check finds out whether the new gas will stay in. Repair deals with the part that has failed, whether a pipe, seal, condenser or compressor.

The cost depends on which of those you need, on the vehicle and on how accessible the parts are. Ask for a quote and we will explain.

Some systems have a pressure switch or sensor that cuts the compressor when gas is low. That protects it, but it can leave you with no cooling and no obvious reason, until the system is tested.

• Warm vents
• Compressor noise
• Smell from the fan
• Weak airflow

Keeping the system healthy between visits

Run the air con for a few minutes every couple of weeks all year round. Replace the pollen filter when due. Have the system looked at as soon as cooling fades.

None of this is complicated, but it adds up to fewer leaks and less strain on the compressor.

Parking in shade in summer and opening the windows for a minute before switching on the air con also reduces the load on the system.

Where do I bring the car from Ermington?

Bring it to Automaster at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from Ermington, Ivybridge, Modbury, South Brent and Kingston come to us.

When you ask for a quote, give us the vehicle details and the symptoms. Mention whether it is mostly used for commuting or short local trips.

If the car has had work on the cooling system or front end recently, mention it, as that can be linked to the fault.