Servicing & MOT
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Engine & Drivetrain
Diagnostics & EmissionsPelsall Village Garage
Air Conditioning
If your air con is blowing warm, smells musty or has stopped working, we test the system, find out why and regas it with the right gas for your vehicle.
Why book with us
Air Conditioning with clear advice.
Air conditioning does more than keep you cool in summer. It also dries the air, which clears a misted windscreen quickly on a damp Walsall morning. The system is sealed and filled with refrigerant gas and a little oil. Over the years a small amount of gas escapes through seals and hoses, and the system slowly gets weaker. Many drivers in Pelsall only notice when the first hot day comes round and the vents blow warm air.
Cars and vans use one of two gases. Older vehicles mostly use R134a. Most newer ones use R1234yf, which became standard on new models from the mid-2010s. The two gases need different equipment and must not be mixed. We check which your vehicle uses before we start. A regas means taking out any gas left in the system, holding it under vacuum to check it is sealed, then refilling it with the correct amount of gas and oil.
A regas fixes a system that has lost gas slowly over years. If it lost its gas quickly, there is a leak, and refilling it will only see the gas escape again. The vacuum test is the first check for this. If the system will not hold a vacuum, we look for the leak before refilling, so you are not paying to lose gas. Common faults include leaking pipes and seals, a damaged condenser at the front of the car, a failed compressor clutch and electrical faults with fans and pressure switches.
A musty or damp smell from the vents usually comes from bacteria and mould growing in the system, often on the evaporator behind the dashboard. Replacing the pollen filter, sometimes called the cabin filter, helps a lot, and a treatment can clean the system. We explain what we find and what it costs before doing anything. Suzi has worked as a service adviser for years, and clear, honest explanations are how we like to do things.
We carry out air con work on cars and light vans for drivers from Walsall, Aldridge, Bloxwich and Walsall Wood. To check what gas your vehicle uses or to book in, call us on 01922 682200 or call in at 45 High Street, Pelsall. We are open Monday to Friday 8:30 to 17:00 and Saturday 8:30 to 13:00.
Right gas for your vehicle
We confirm whether your system uses R134a or R1234yf and use the correct equipment.
Vacuum tested
The system is held under vacuum to check it is sealed before we refill it.
Leaks found first
If the system will not hold, we look for the leak rather than refilling and losing the gas.
Performance checked
Vent temperature, compressor and fan operation are checked after the regas.
Smells sorted
Pollen filter and system treatment advice for musty or damp smells.
Cars and vans
Air con regas and repairs on cars and light vans.
Air Conditioning
What our air con service includes
Clear expectations, no surprises. If anything extra is needed, we explain it first.
- Check of which refrigerant your system uses, R134a or R1234yf.
- Recovery of any gas left in the system.
- Vacuum test to check the system is sealed.
- Refill with the correct amount of refrigerant and oil for your vehicle.
- Vent temperature check after the regas.
- Check that the compressor engages and the cooling fans run.
- Visual check of pipes, joints and the condenser for damage or leaks.
- Pollen filter check and advice on replacement.
- Clear advice and a quote for any repair we find is needed.
Air Conditioning
Common questions
- How often does car air con need a regas?
- There is no fixed date. Systems lose a small amount of gas each year, so after several years the cooling gets weaker. Many drivers have it checked every two or three years, or as soon as the air is less cold than it used to be. Running the air con regularly, even in winter, helps keep the seals in good condition.
- Why is my air con blowing warm air?
- The most common reason is low gas, either from slow loss over the years or a leak. Other causes include a failed compressor or compressor clutch, a blown fuse or relay, a faulty pressure switch, a cooling fan that has stopped working or a blocked condenser. We test the system to find the cause before we recommend any work.
- Can you find an air con leak?
- Yes. The vacuum test shows whether the system is holding. If it is not, we look at the pipes, joints, condenser and compressor for signs of a leak. Some small leaks are hard to see and can take further testing. Finding the leak first means you are not paying to fill a system that will empty again.
- Do you work on R1234yf systems?
- Yes. Most newer cars and vans use R1234yf, and older ones mostly use R134a. The two gases need different equipment and must never be mixed. We check which one your vehicle uses before we start. R1234yf gas costs more, so a regas on a newer vehicle usually costs more too, and we will tell you before we begin.
- Why does my air con smell musty?
- A damp or musty smell usually comes from mould and bacteria building up on the evaporator behind the dashboard, where moisture collects. A blocked pollen filter makes it worse. Replacing the filter and treating the system usually clears the smell. Turning off the air con a few minutes before the end of a journey, with the fan still running, can help dry it out.
- Should I use my air con in winter?
- Yes. Air con dries the air, so it clears a misted windscreen much faster. Running it regularly also keeps oil moving round the system, which helps keep the seals and compressor in good condition. Many cars switch the air con on automatically when you use the demist setting.
- Does air con affect fuel use?
- A little. The compressor is driven by the engine, so running the air con uses a bit more fuel, mostly at low speed. At motorway speed, driving with the windows open can use more fuel than the air con because of the drag. The effect is usually small, and comfort and safety come first.
- Do you regas van air con?
- Yes. We regas and repair air con on light vans as well as cars. Vans used all day in summer, with the doors opening and closing, can make the air con work hard. We check the system type, vacuum test it and refill it in the same way as a car.
- Will a weak air con fail the MOT?
- No, air conditioning is not part of the MOT. But it plays a part in keeping your windscreen clear, which matters for safety. If your windscreen mists up and is slow to clear, it is worth having the air con checked. We carry out Class 4 MOTs on cars and light vans and can look at the air con at the same visit.
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Areas served
Serving drivers across the local area
We provide air conditioning for customers from across the region — book online or call us.