Car Air Conditioning in Liverton

Liverton is a village on the edge of Dartmoor, close to Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey on the A382 side of the area. Drivers here often find themselves on climbs, in damp valleys and out on moorland roads, which is exactly when a working heater and demister earns its keep, and when a hot day makes you wish the air con was doing its job.

We are Automaster, a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Our air conditioning and heating work includes servicing and re-gassing, diagnosis of faults, repairs, and fixing heating systems that stop delivering heat. Here is how we go about it and what to tell us.

Why has my air conditioning stopped working?

A system can stop cooling for several reasons, and gas loss is just one of them. The compressor might not be engaging because of an electrical or clutch fault. The condenser may be blocked with debris or damaged by stones. A valve could be sticking, or a pipe may have started to leak at a joint.

We check the basics first, including a visual look at components, listening to the compressor and measuring how the system behaves. That narrows the cause so we can recommend sensible work rather than guessing.

What is the point of a leak check before re-gassing?

Refrigerant should not simply disappear. If a system has lost a lot of gas, something is letting it out. A re-gas without a leak check might feel cool for a short while, but the gas will keep escaping and you will be back where you started.

Finding the leak, whether it is in a condenser, hose, seal or valve, lets us repair the cause. How much that costs depends on the part and the work to reach it, so ask for a quote once we have looked.

• Pressure test of the circuit
• Visual check of pipes and joints
• Condenser inspection at the front of the car
• Compressor and clutch operation

Does the garage cover Liverton, and how do I find you?

Yes. Drivers from Liverton, Heathfield, Newton Abbot, Bickington and Hexworth are welcome at our garage. Look for Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL.

Searching for an air con garage near Liverton? Send us your registration and a brief description of the fault. Telling us whether the air is warm, weak or smelly helps us prepare.

Why is my heater not warming the car?

On a moor-edge morning, a heater that stays cold is a real problem. Common causes are low coolant, a thermostat stuck open, an air lock in the cooling system or a blocked heater matrix. If hot air only reaches one side of the car or comes and goes, the matrix or an air pocket is likely.

A heater matrix that leaks can leave damp carpets and a sweet smell and mist the glass. Overheating is a separate danger: if the gauge goes into the red, stop in a safe place and switch off.

• Heat only when revving
• Windscreen steaming up inside
• Sweet smell in the cabin
• Warning light for coolant

Can I do anything to prevent air con problems?

Use it. A few minutes of air con every week or two, even when it is cold, keeps the lubricant moving through the system. Have the pollen filter replaced at the intervals your car's maker suggests and clear leaves from the area in front of the radiator.

When you contact us, mention the make, model and year, symptoms, and anything that happened just before the fault appeared.