Car Air Conditioning in Ivybridge

Ivybridge has a strong commuter flow towards Plymouth along the A38, steep roads rising to Dartmoor and plenty of queues at peak times. Idling in traffic is when a weak air-con condenser or cooling fan shows itself, and early starts in winter are when a poor heater or demister becomes a nuisance.

We are Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We service and repair car air conditioning and heating for petrol and diesel vehicles, and this guide is written for drivers who rely on their car every day.

Why does my air con struggle in queues?

At speed, air rushes through the condenser. In a queue it relies on the cooling fan. If cooling fades when you stop, suspect the fan, a partly blocked condenser or a marginal refrigerant level.

The same symptoms can come from a failing compressor, so a proper test is better than guessing.

Tell us if it also happens on the climb out of town, since heavy engine load and low airflow together are a tough test of any cooling system.

Air con servicing and re-gas: what is included

A service means checking the system's performance and pressures, recovering the refrigerant, testing for leaks and refilling with the right refrigerant and oil. For some cars the pollen filter is changed at the same time.

Because the amount and type of refrigerant differ by vehicle, and because repairs depend on what is found, we ask you to request a quote.

• Performance check
• Leak test
• Refrigerant refill
• Pollen filter check

Is it a leak, a compressor or a condenser?

A leak leaves the system short of gas and often oily around the joint. A condenser at the front of the car can be holed by stones or corroded. A worn compressor is noisy or fails to engage.

Valves, sensors and electrical faults can mimic these. Getting the diagnosis right avoids paying twice for the wrong part.

A noisy compressor deserves attention quickly. If it fails internally it can send debris round the system, turning a single part into a larger repair.

Heater and demister trouble on a winter commute

A heater that never warms, a screen that will not clear or a blower that only works on full speed are all fixable once the cause is known. Low coolant, a thermostat, a blocked heater matrix and a worn blower resistor are the usual suspects.

A clear screen matters for safe driving, so do not put these faults off. If the car overheats, stop.

Do you cover Ivybridge, and how do I get a quote?

Yes. Drivers from Ivybridge, South Brent, Ermington, Modbury and Kingsbridge bring cars to our garage near Totnes. Automaster handles this work on petrol and diesel cars and vans.

To ask for a quote, tell us the make, model and year, what the air con or heater is doing and whether it varies by speed or load.

Many people ask whether a re-gas alone will do. If the system is tight, it will. If it is not, a leak check comes first.