Car Air Conditioning in Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge is a busy market town at the head of its estuary, with a steep main street, waterfront traffic and the A379 running through. That stop-start driving puts a car's cooling and air conditioning under strain, and commuters notice first.

Automaster at Longcombe Cross, near Totnes, handles car air conditioning and heating for Kingsbridge drivers. We re-gas, trace leaks, repair compressors and condensers, and fix heater faults on petrol and diesel cars and vans.

Why does my air con struggle in town traffic?

At a standstill there is no air being forced through the condenser, so the cooling fan has to do the work. If it is weak or faulty, the system pressure climbs and cooling drops.

Cold on a clear road but warm in queues often points to the fan, the condenser or a low charge.

Many Kingsbridge drivers use the car for short town journeys, the school run and the occasional trip along the estuary roads. Short trips do not give the system much time to stabilise, and any small fault is more noticeable when the cabin is warm and the windows are shut.

What does an air con repair usually involve?

The first step is to check pressures, look at the compressor, the clutch, the condenser and the pipework, and hunt for leaks. The repair could be a seal, a pipe, a valve, the condenser or the compressor itself.

Time and cost depend on which part, how accessible it is on your model, and whether the system has been contaminated by a failure.

A good diagnosis sets out what is wrong in plain terms, what is optional, and what is needed for the system to work properly. When you ask for a quote, tell us if the air con ever worked and whether it faded gradually or stopped suddenly, because sudden loss usually means a leak or an electrical fault.

• Condenser or pipe leaks
• Compressor wear
• Valve or sensor faults
• Blocked or damp filter

Can I just have a re-gas?

If the system holds its charge, a re-gas is a reasonable service. If it has dropped quickly, the leak needs finding first, as a re-gas on a leaking system will not last.

We would rather check than refill blind.

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

We do. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, and Kingsbridge drivers use us along with people from Salcombe, Loddiswell, Modbury and Thurlestone.

Call the quote line with your car details and what the system is doing.

Heater not working on the school run or the commute?

A heater that stays cold can be low coolant, a thermostat jammed open, a blocked matrix or a failed blower. A heater that smells sweet may be leaking coolant.

If the temperature gauge is rising, stop and have it checked, as overheating can wreck an engine.

Check the coolant level only when the engine is cold, and never open the cap on a hot engine. Low coolant is a common reason for a cold heater and, if it keeps happening, the loss has to be traced.