Frequently Asked Questions about Air Conditioning

How often should a vehicle conditioning system be serviced?

Annually. As part of a vehicle's annual service routine, its air conditioning system should be inspected. This annual check should include a check of refrigerant quantity, pressure and temperatures, checking refrigerant hoses, drive belts and wiring harnesses and changing pollen filters. Please note that this is at additional cost to the vehicle’s ‘annual’ service. We strongly recommend that a full service is carried out every two years where the refrigerant and oil is changed. In addition to the above items the filter/dryer will need to be changed by the Main Dealer.

What happens if a system is not regularly serviced?

If an air conditioning system is not serviced, a build-up of moisture will occur. The built-in filter (receiver-drier or accumulator), is designed to store any moisture and contamination present in the system. If the filter is not changed then its element will eventually break down and cause internal damage to the air conditioning system.

My car is an import, or was made before 1994, and has R12 refrigerant. Can this be re-gassed, or ‘retrofitted’?

We are also able to ‘Retro-fit’ older vehicles carrying the now banned R12 refrigerant. This was fitted to vehicles prior to 1994. We can use an industry accepted replacement gas called RS24. This gas, although expensive, will avoid the need to replace all the major mechanical components of the system, and will prove to be almost identical to the now banned R12.

What is a Filter-Drier?

Part of the system is a Filter-Drier, which has the following functions: To filter out any impurities and therefore protect the compressor. It contains desiccant to absorb the small amounts of moisture that are present within the system. A reservoir for excess liquid refrigerant. After a period of time, and usage the filter cannot perform the above functions as efficiently. This item will need to be replaced by the Main Dealer at your request. It will need to be replaced approx. every three years, or if the system has been exposed to air, in an accident, or body-shop for example.

Why can I smell a ‘musty’ smell inside the car when I turn on the air conditioning?

This is due to the build-up of mould and microbes on the evaporator. The evaporator is an ideal breeding ground for these bacteria. In a bad case can smell like a baby’s nappy. It can easily be cured with a special microbiological treatment of the evaporator unit during the annual service.

Is there anything I can do to keep the air conditioning working?

On a modern vehicle, the best advice is to run the air conditioning continuously. Modern systems are very efficient and will not add greatly to the fuel consumption. Continuous running ensures that the refrigerant and oil are circulated throughout the system, keeping the seals lubricated and preventing microbe build-up on the evaporator.

How much will a service cost me?

It is hard to give an exact figure, as quantities of refrigerant, types of oil, and time spent will differ from vehicle to vehicle, however, most modern cars (built after 1995), will cost around £80.00 inclusive of the £30.00 call-out fee, and older cars (built before 1995), will cost around £100.00 inclusive of the £30.00 call-out fee.

Please note that for customers outside the NN postcode area a mileage charge may be applicable.

If you have any questions, or are unsure about the operation of your Air Conditioning system, then please call us for a chat, or email us with as much detail as possible.