AC Service
Diagnosis, leak detection and recharge — starting with why the refrigerant left, not just topping it back up.
Automotive air conditioning is a sealed system. If it is low on refrigerant, that refrigerant went somewhere, and simply topping it up sends you back to where you started in a few months — while venting refrigerant into the atmosphere in the meantime.
So we start by finding the leak. That usually means a pressure test and dye or electronic detection at the common failure points: the condenser at the front of the vehicle where stones hit it, the compressor shaft seal, and the O-rings at each hose connection. Once the leak is fixed, a recharge actually lasts.
What's Included
- System performance test with vent temperature measured
- High and low side pressure readings
- Leak detection using dye or electronic sniffer
- Evacuate and recharge to the correct refrigerant weight
- Compressor, condenser and belt inspection
- Cabin filter checked — a blocked one is often mistaken for weak AC
When You Need This Service
- Air from the vents is cool rather than cold
- The system takes much longer to cool the cabin than it used to
- A rattle or squeal when the AC compressor engages
- A musty smell when you first switch it on
- It worked last summer and does nothing this one
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my AC blowing warm air?
Most often low refrigerant from a slow leak. It can also be a failed compressor or clutch, a blocked condenser, an electrical fault or simply a badly clogged cabin filter restricting airflow. The pressure test tells us which, and we would rather diagnose it than guess.
Can you just top up the refrigerant?
We can, but on its own it is poor value. A sealed system that lost refrigerant has a leak, and the top-up will escape the same way. We would rather find the leak first so the recharge holds — and venting refrigerant needlessly is not something we are willing to do.
How often should AC be serviced?
A quick performance check each spring before you rely on it is sensible. Running the AC for a few minutes every month, even in winter, keeps the compressor seals lubricated and is the cheapest maintenance there is.