Service
Car A/C and heating repair
Weak or warm A/C, no heat, odd smells and foggy windows. The fix starts with finding why, not just adding refrigerant.
When to stop driving
If the temperature gauge climbs toward hot while the heater goes cold, the engine may be low on coolant. Pull over where it's safe and let it cool before checking anything. Never open a hot radiator or coolant cap.
Your car's A/C is a sealed system. A compressor pumps refrigerant through a condenser at the front of the car and an evaporator under the dash, where the cabin air gets cooled. The heater uses hot engine coolant flowing through a small radiator called the heater core. Doors inside the dash blend the two and send air to the right vents.
What this service covers
Performance check
Measuring vent temperatures and system pressures to see how well the A/C is working.
Leak detection
Finding where refrigerant is escaping, using dye, an electronic detector or both.
Recharge
Recovering the old refrigerant and recharging with the correct type and amount for your car, usually R-134a or, on many newer cars, R-1234yf.
Component repair
Compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion valves, hoses, seals and cooling fans.
Airflow and controls
Blower motors and resistors, blend door actuators, cabin air filters and control panels.
Heating
Heater cores, thermostats, coolant level and coolant flow problems.
Common signs you need it
- The air isn't as cold as it used to be, or turns warm after a while
- Weak airflow, even on high
- A musty or sour smell from the vents
- A new noise when the A/C turns on
- Clicking behind the dash when you change temperature or vents
- No heat, or heat only while driving
- Wet carpet on the passenger side, or a sweet smell and greasy film on the inside of the windshield
What to expect
Check performance
Vent temperature and pressure readings show whether the problem is refrigerant, airflow or controls.
Find the cause
If refrigerant is low, there's a leak somewhere. Finding it comes before recharging.
Written estimate
You get the findings and a written estimate before repairs start.
Repair, recharge, verify
After repairs, the system is evacuated, recharged to spec and checked at the vents.
How long it usually takes
A performance check and leak test often takes about an hour, and a recharge is usually done the same day. Parts buried behind the dashboard, like an evaporator or heater core, can take a full day or more. Your written estimate will say what applies to your car.
Good to know
- Refrigerant doesn't get used up. If your A/C is low, it has a leak, and recharging without fixing it usually buys weeks or months, not years.
- Many cars from the mid-2010s on use R-1234yf refrigerant, which costs more than the older R-134a. The type your car uses is on a label under the hood.
- A clogged cabin air filter cuts airflow and can add smells. It's usually a quick replacement.
- Run the A/C regularly, even in cooler months. Many cars also run the compressor in defrost mode to dry the air.
California: written estimate first
Under California's Automotive Repair Act, a repair shop must give you a written estimate for parts and labor and get your authorization before starting work. If the job turns out to need more than the estimate, the shop has to get your OK before going over it. You can also ask for your replaced parts back when you authorize the work.
A/C and heating: common questions
Can you just recharge my A/C?
Topping it off can work for a while, but refrigerant doesn't get used up. If it's low, it leaked, and finding the leak is what makes the fix last.
Why does my A/C smell musty?
Moisture on the evaporator can grow mold or mildew, especially with an old cabin air filter. A new filter and an evaporator cleaning often help.
Why does my heat only work while I'm driving?
That often points to low coolant, air in the cooling system or a weak water pump. Those can also lead to overheating, so it's worth checking soon.
Car acting up? Let's take a look.
Call (714) 555-0142 or send a request, and we'll find a time that works.