Car air con repair
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£72.64
Average price booked on FixMyCar
What are common car aircon problems?
A faulty car air conditioning system might not be the first thing you notice when you get in your car, but keeping it functioning properly is essential. Not only does it keep you cool in the summer and warm in winter, but it also defogs your windscreen and keeps the driver’s view clear. There are a few common problems to keep an eye on when it comes to your car’s aircon.
No air being blown from the vents
The most obvious fault with aircon is no air coming from the vents when the system is switched on. This is likely due to low pressure causing the system to switch off. Alternatively, it could be to do with an electrical fault that stops the entire system from activating, in which case a technician can determine whether the issue is a blown fuse or a faulty motor, to get your aircon back up and running again.
No cold air coming from the aircon
If the air that comes from your car’s air conditioning won’t get cold, it’s often due to a problem with your refrigerant. Aircon refrigerant is a liquid (and sometimes gas) that absorbs heat and cools the air blown out of the vents. Over time, refrigerant pressure can drop or stop working effectively. An aircon regas is the best way to fix this issue.
The aircon smells funny
One of the most unpleasant issues you can have with your car’s aircon is the odour that comes out of it. If the air blown smells like mildew, there might be bacteria in the system. A professional will be able to clean out your aircon and stop the smell.
Compare aircon service deals and costs
The cost of servicing your aircon will depend on what your air conditioning system requires. To help give you some idea, we’ve listed some common car aircon services and repairs along with their typical costs.
Car aircon service
The average price of a car aircon service booked on FixMyCar is £70. If your car’s air conditioning system isn’t functioning to full effect, a car aircon service can help you figure out what’s going wrong. A professional will find the cause of the fault and provide the correct fix to improve its performance.
Can include- Fault diagnosis
- Car aircon repair
- Car aircon cleaning
- Car aircon regas
- Micro pollen filter replacement
Car aircon regas
The average price of an aircon regas booked on FixMyCar is £66.57. A car air conditioning regas is needed if the system no longer blows cold air. An aircon regas involves replacing the refrigerant gas, which removes heat from the air pushed through the system and into your car.
Can include- Refrigerant removal
- Refrigerant replacement
Car aircon cleaning
The average price of car aircon cleaning booked on FixMyCar is £66.57. If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your air conditioning system, it’s a sign you need it cleaned. Car aircon cleaning removes any bacteria trapped inside the system and prevents mildew. A professional can do a thorough clean of the system without damaging any of the parts.
Can include- Aircon cleaning
- Bacteria removal
- Micro pollen filter replacement
Mobile aircon service
The average price of a mobile aircon service booked on FixMyCar is £66.57. A car air conditioning service involves inspecting the condition and performance of the unit, and performing a regas if the system no longer blows cold air or can't defog the windows. A mobile aircon service involves a mechanic coming to you to check and replace the refrigerants in the air-conditioning system, rather than you visiting a garage.
Can include- Home visit
- Refrigerant removal
- Refrigerant replacement
How does the aircon in a car work?
Your car’s AC system is comprised of several components, including:
Compressor
Condenser
Receiver
Thermal expansion valve
Evaporation coils
The most important part of your car’s air conditioning system is the refrigerant gas, which is often the culprit when things go wrong.
The refrigerant gas goes into the compressor and turns into a liquid with you turn your aircon on. It meets the air from outside at the condenser, absorbing heat from it.
The liquid then goes through the receiver, which removes any impurities. After that, it reaches the thermal expansion valve, which lets you control the temperature of your AC by manipulating the flow of liquid.
The final step is at the expansion coils, where the liquid turns back into a gas. In this state, it can absorb the heat from the air passing through the evaporator, leaving behind cool air that the fans can blow into your car.
The refrigerant then travels back to the compressor to start the process all over again.
Signs of car aircon issues
It’s easy to think that the only sign of car aircon trouble is that it won’t blow cold air. However, there are many other symptoms that can indicate the system needs some attention, including:
Damp smell
Water leaks from the system
Low air pressure
It won’t turn on/off
You can’t defog your windscreen
If you notice any of the above, book in for a car aircon service as soon as possible.
How to know when to regas an aircon?
As a general rule, you should regas your car aircon every two years. Experts estimate that you lose around 10-15% of your refrigerant gas per year without even using the system, so it’s essential to keep an eye on this and make sure it’s topped up. It’s a good idea to keep up to date with your annual full service, as a professional will regas your aircon during their checks if your car needs it.
However, if you notice that the system isn’t performing to full effect and struggles to blow air that’s cold enough, that’s the most telling sign that it’s time to book an aircon regas.
How much does a car air conditioning refill cost?
The cost to repair your car aircon depends on what type of service you need and the type of car you have. From aircon cleaning to aircon regas, our cost table helps give you an idea of the average cost of a common aircon re-gas service.
| Car make | Average price |
|---|---|
| Ford | £65.39 |
| Vauxhall | £65.33 |
| Nissan | £67.63 |
| Volkswagen | £65.81 |
| BMW | £64.94 |
| Audi | £65.15 |
| Peugeot | £67.04 |
| Renault | £66.28 |
| Citroen | £66.11 |
| Mercedes | £67.24 |
| Toyota | £65.95 |
| MINI | £63.83 |
| Volvo | £64.35 |
Frequently asked questions
It’s important to get your car aircon regassed by a professional to ensure it’s done correctly. You can compare prices and book easily online through FixMyCar.
Aircon gas permeates naturally from the system, and you lose about 10-15% per year. On average, you’ll need a car aircon regas every two years.
An aircon system that can’t blow cold air is the first sign that it needs to be regassed. Getting your aircon refrigerant gas replaced and refilled is the best way to improve the performance of your car’s aircon.
If your car aircon smells funny, there’s probably mildew in the vents. A professional can clean your car aircon to remove the bacteria and stop it from smelling.
The gas in your aircon is refrigerant gas. This absorbs heat from the air outside and allows the system to blow colder air into your car.
Your car’s aircon needs regassing roughly every two years, or if you notice that it has stopped blowing cold air.
Most modern vehicles come with aircon built in. However, if yours doesn’t, or you want to upgrade your aircon system, you can get one fitted into your car, but it’s an expensive job and depends on the make and model of the vehicle.
Your aircon will be looked at every year in your full service, but you should also get an aircon regas around every two years.
No, it’s essential to get a car aircon regas done by a professional to make sure it’s done correctly and avoid accidental damage to the system.
Your car’s aircon should not leak water, but it’s a common fault that can occur. If you notice a water leak coming from the system, it’s a sign you need to get an aircon repair.
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