Climate & Comfort
A/C Recharge & Leak Detection
Refrigerant does not get used up. If your air conditioning is warm again a year after a recharge, the system has a leak and always did.
Signs you need this
- Air conditioning blowing cool rather than cold
- Cold at highway speed but warm in traffic
- System stopped working entirely mid-season
- Oily residue at a line fitting or on the condenser
How we approach it
We evacuate, pressure test with nitrogen, and locate leaks with UV dye and an electronic sniffer before adding refrigerant. Condensers take stone damage on the freeway, evaporators corrode, and the O-rings at every line joint harden with age. We service both R134a and the newer R1234yf systems with the correct oil type and charge weight by chassis — overcharging an A/C system is as damaging as running it low, and it is a common shortcut.
What the job includes
- 01Full recovery and nitrogen pressure test
- 02UV dye and electronic leak detection at all joints
- 03O-ring, line, condenser and evaporator repair
- 04Vacuum hold test before recharging
- 05Charge by weight with correct refrigerant and PAG oil
- 06Vent temperature verification at idle and at speed
Common questions
Can you just top it up cheaply?
We can add refrigerant, but we will always tell you it is temporary. Venting refrigerant into the atmosphere from a known leak is also something we would rather not do repeatedly.
How much does a compressor replacement cost?
It varies widely by model, and a failed compressor usually means the system needs flushing and a new expansion valve and receiver-drier too. Call with your model and we will give you a realistic range.
Let us take a look at it.
Call and describe what the car is doing. We will give you an honest assessment before any work begins.
7492 Slater Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 · Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm
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