Car Air Conditioning in Stoke-in-Teignhead

Life in Stoke-in-Teignhead means narrow lanes between Torquay and the Teign estuary, with Shaldon and Teignmouth nearby. Many journeys are short, and short journeys are not kind to heaters or air-con systems.

We are Automaster at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We handle air-con servicing and re-gassing, diagnostics, repairs and heating faults. Drivers from Stoke-in-Teignhead, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and Milber are welcome to ask for a quote.

Why do short country trips cause heater problems?

An engine needs time to warm up before the heater can give out much heat. If it never gets there, even in a long run, a thermostat stuck open is a prime suspect. Low coolant or an air lock in the system can also leave you cold.

Keep an eye on the coolant level when cold. Repeated top-ups mean a leak, and a leak can lead to overheating if ignored.

Country lanes also mean a lot of low-speed driving with plenty of braking and little airflow through the radiator. Both the heater circuit and the air-con condenser work well with a steady flow of air and coolant, so a fault that hides on a quick run can show up the moment you sit in a queue near Torquay or Teignmouth.

Why is my air con weak after months unused?

Cars used only occasionally let seals dry out, and refrigerant can slowly leave the system. Running the air con regularly keeps lubricant moving round and helps prevent this.

If you find it now blows warm, we test it, check for leaks and explain whether a re-gas will do or something else needs fixing.

• Warm vents
• Stale smell
• Noisy belt or compressor

Re-gas on a leaking system: will it last?

No. A re-gas on a leaking system will not last, so we look for the leak first. A pressure test and visual inspection often show where the loss is.

Possible culprits include hoses, joints, the condenser and compressor seals. Costs depend on which part is involved and how the car is built, so ask for a quote.

Because cooling and refrigerant circuits are separate, a heater fault and an air-con fault in the same car are not always connected. We look at each on its own merits so that you are not paying for work the other system never needed.

Do you cover Stoke-in-Teignhead?

Yes. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from rural villages and nearby named towns, including Teignmouth and Newton Abbot, bring cars to us. For a village on narrow lanes, that means one stop for servicing and repairs.

Tell us the make, model, fuel type and what the air con or heater is doing, and we will give you a clear idea of what the job may involve.

Pollen, leaves and lane dust

Country driving brings pollen, leaf litter and dust, which clog the cabin filter and can coat the condenser. A restricted filter reduces airflow and encourages smells.

Change the pollen filter when due, and have us look if the fan seems weak. A blower motor that struggles may be failing, and one that stops could leave screens misting.