Car Air Conditioning in South Brent

South Brent sits beside the A38 and the River Avon, a natural stopping point between Exeter and Plymouth with the land rising towards the moor. Drivers here put on plenty of steady miles, which is good for an air-con system in some ways, but long runs also show up any weakness in cooling or heating.

Our garage, Automaster, is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We carry out air-con servicing, re-gassing, diagnostics and repairs and heating-system repairs on petrol and diesel vehicles. This page sets out what to look for.

What to do when the air con runs warm on the A38

If the air is cool at first and then fades, or works only at speed, the likely cause is low refrigerant, a condenser that is not shedding heat or a cooling fan that is not running. Warm air throughout points to a bigger loss or a compressor fault.

Noting how the fault behaves in traffic and on faster roads is genuinely useful when you ask us for a quote.

If your cooling fan does not seem to run when the engine is hot, say so. It shares work with the air-con condenser, and a failed fan can leave both cooling and engine temperature in trouble.

Understanding re-gas, leak tests and repairs

The refrigerant circuit is closed, so gas should not disappear. When it does, there is a leak. Re-gassing a leaking system gives short-lived relief, so a leak test belongs with the job.

If a leak is found, the repair may be a seal, a pipe, the condenser or the compressor. How much work that is, and so what it costs, varies by car, which is why we ask you to request a quote.

Descriptions are a big help. A hissing sound after you switch the engine off, an oily patch under the bonnet or a compressor that engages then drops out all give clues about where to look.

• Leak test
• Pressure check
• Refrigerant and oil refill
• Component repair where needed

Why running the air con all year helps

Operating the compressor regularly circulates oil through the system and keeps rubber seals from drying. Cars that never use the air con tend to develop leaks faster than those that do.

A habit of running it for a few minutes each fortnight is enough. A fresh pollen filter also keeps the air cleaner and the airflow strong.

Heater faults: from no heat to a noisy blower

Common causes of a cold heater are low coolant, a thermostat stuck open and a blocked heater matrix. A blower that whirs, squeaks or stops is another culprit, often a worn motor or resistor.

Overheating is not something to ignore. If the gauge goes high or a warning appears, find a safe place to stop.

If the blower works on only some speeds, the resistor pack is a typical culprit, and it is a straightforward thing to describe when asking for a quote.

Can you help South Brent drivers, and how do I ask?

Yes. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and cars come to us from South Brent, Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh, Totnes and Modbury.

Send us the make, model and year, describe what the air con or heater is doing and say what you have already tried. Then ask for a quote.