Car Air Conditioning

Does your car air conditioning need a service?

It is fairly easy to check for yourself if your car air conditioning needs servicing or if it is working properly:

1. The first step is to start the car and turn the air conditioning on. Does the warning light (if fitted) illuminate? If it does, listen for any unusual noises coming from the air conditioning system.
2. If there are no unusual noises turn the system to the coolest setting and the highest fan speed. (Check the handbook if you are unsure how to do this). With the air conditioning on full, feel the air coming out of your vents. Is the air coming out icy cold?
3. If the air is icy cold, turn your attention to the smell. This may sound a little odd, however, if there’s a bad smell coming from the air conditioning it could be a sign of a leak within the system or of bacteria growth.
4. Finally, you want to listen under the bonnet for the compressor. The air conditioning compressor should make a clicking noise, as the compressor engages and disengages at regular intervals.

If all is well then the chances are your air conditioning system is working fine, however, most car manufacturers suggest servicing the air conditioning every 2-3 years. If you notice anything unusual, or if you have any concerns at all, get in touch with the skilled team at GotBoost Racing. We offer a range of car air conditioning repair and maintenance services at our fully equipped workshop in Pyle, Bridgend, including:

Vehicle Air Conditioning Diagnosis

Diagnosing air conditioning faults is a specialist task, requiring knowledge, skills and equipment. If your air conditioning isn’t working correctly trust the job to a garage that will carry out a diagnostic assessment. Including, mechanical, electrical and an evaluation of the system pressures. Too many garages will simply regas the system and send you on your way, only for you to find it doesn’t work a few days/weeks later. In this case, it is almost certainly a leak.

Leak Detection

There are various methods used for leak detection, some are simply ineffective others are illegal. The correct method is to use oxygen-free nitrogen (OFN) under pressure and detect the leak using either a ‘sniffer’ or a soap solution.

Electrical Faults

The increasing complexity of modern cars hasn’t bypassed the air conditioning system. Dual climate control is no longer the preserve of high-end limos and is commonplace in family saloons. So the integration of the vehicle’s electronic systems is a must as part of the diagnostic routine. There are various electrical components that can prevent the system from operating correctly.