Car Air Conditioning in Teignmouth

Teignmouth sits where the River Teign meets the sea, with its harbour, seafront and the bridge to Shaldon. Steep hills, summer visitors and damp coastal weather can all make a failing air con or heater harder to live with.

At Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, we service and re-gas car air conditioning, diagnose faults, repair systems and sort heating problems. Teignmouth drivers, along with those from Dawlish, Newton Abbot and Stoke-in-Teignhead, can ask for a quote.

Teignmouth air con not cold: likely causes

Slow refrigerant loss is the most common reason. Others include a leaking hose or joint, a worn compressor, a damaged condenser, a faulty valve and electrical faults in sensors or switches.

Hot, busy summer days make the fault obvious, but the loss has often been under way for a long time.

• Warm air at any setting
• Compressor not engaging
• Hissing or grinding noises

What does a proper air-con check include?

We look at pressures, operation and signs of leaks, and we inspect the pollen filter and drive belt. If gas has gone, we look at why before suggesting a refill.

A re-gas on a leaking system will not last, which is why diagnostics come first. The right solution varies with the vehicle.

Compressors are the most expensive component, so we want to rule out simpler causes first. A low refrigerant charge, a blown fuse or a faulty pressure switch can all stop the compressor engaging without the compressor itself being at fault.

Heater faults on a hilly coastal route

Up and down hills the engine temperature swings, which exposes weak thermostats and low coolant levels. A heater matrix that is blocked will give little warmth no matter how high you set the dial.

If the heater fails and the temperature gauge rises, stop in a safe place. Overheating can wreck an engine, so never carry on driving.

• Cold footwell, warm face vents
• No heat at idle
• Windows that will not clear

Do you cover Teignmouth and where do I bring the car?

Yes, we welcome drivers from Teignmouth. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from the surrounding area and neighbouring towns visit us for air-con and heating work.

Contact us with the car details and symptoms and we will explain what to expect.

Keeping a coastal car's cabin comfortable

Run the air con regularly all year, and keep the front end clear of debris. Replace the pollen filter when it is due.

Do not leave an odd noise or smell for months. Early action can avoid damage to the compressor, which is one of the costlier parts of the system.

If the bridge to Shaldon or the seafront is busy, the stop-start pattern keeps the condenser fan working hard. Fans that no longer run at the right moment are a frequent reason for air con that cools only when the car is moving.