Car Air Conditioning in South Knighton

South Knighton is a small rural hamlet on country lanes in the Newton Abbot area. Many cars out here do short, occasional trips and then sit for days. That pattern is hard on air conditioning, as the system works at its most reliable when it runs regularly and gets a chance to circulate its oil.

Our garage, Automaster, is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby places, including Newton Abbot, Heathfield, Liverton and Abbotskerswell, bring their cars to us for air con servicing, re-gassing, fault finding and repair, as well as heater problems.

Why did my air con stop working after a quiet winter?

Unused systems can go flat. Seals dry and shrink, and any slow leak has months to take effect. When you switch on the air con in the first warm spell, you may find it blows warm because the gas has dropped or because a part has seized.

That is common, not unusual. We check the system for leaks and test the compressor before suggesting a service or repair.

• Warm air at the first hot day
• Compressor will not click in
• Strange smell when switched on
• Ice forming at the vents

What is the difference between a service and a repair?

A service tests the system, recovers and refills refrigerant and checks that it is holding. It is about keeping a healthy system healthy. A repair means a part has failed, such as a condenser, compressor, pipe or valve, and must be replaced or fixed.

We can only tell which you need after diagnosis. Cost depends on the vehicle and the work, so ask for a quote and describe the symptoms.

Do you cover South Knighton?

Yes. Drivers come to us from South Knighton and the surrounding lanes, along with Newton Abbot, Heathfield, Liverton and Abbotskerswell. Find us at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL.

If you are after an air con service near South Knighton, ring or message with your car's details and what it is doing.

Why does my heater smell or blow cold?

A sweet smell can mean coolant escaping, perhaps from the heater matrix. Cold air from the vents might be low coolant, a thermostat stuck open or an air lock. A musty smell is more often damp in the filter or evaporator.

If the car overheats, stop somewhere safe. Never open a hot coolant cap, and do not carry on driving, as engine damage can be severe.

• Windows fogging internally
• Cabin cold despite a warm engine
• Fan only works on high
• Dropping coolant level

How should I use the system if the car is only used now and then?

Run the air con for several minutes every week or two, even in colder months, whenever you use the car. That keeps seals lubricated and helps spot problems early. Have the pollen filter replaced at the interval your car's maker advises.

When you request a quote, tell us the make, model and year, how often the car is used, and what the system is doing.