Car A/C repair and recharge in Calgary

Calgary summers are short, but a car sitting in a parking lot in July still turns into an oven. When the A/C quits, our Calgary shop finds out why. Sometimes it's a simple fix. Sometimes it's a leak that's been slowly letting refrigerant out for a couple of years.

An A/C system is sealed. Refrigerant doesn't wear out or get burned off, so if the system is low, there's a leak. Topping it up without finding the leak gets you cold air for a few weeks, maybe a season, and then you're back. We look for the cause first.

Signs your A/C needs attention

When you call, tell us when it happens: at idle, on the highway, right after startup. That detail narrows things down fast.

• Air that's only slightly cool, or warm
• Cold air only while driving, and warm at a stoplight
• Weak airflow even with the fan on high
• A musty or mildew smell from the vents
• Clicking, rattling or squealing when the A/C kicks on
• Water on the passenger floor

Why car A/C loses its cooling

Low refrigerant from a leak is the most common reason. Leaks show up at O-rings and seals, hose connections, the condenser at the front of the car (which takes hits from stones on gravel roads), and the compressor shaft seal.

Other causes include a compressor or compressor clutch that isn't engaging, a worn or loose belt, a condenser fan that doesn't come on (that's often why it only cools at highway speed), a blend door stuck on heat, or a blown fuse or relay. A clogged cabin air filter won't stop the A/C from making cold air, but it can choke the airflow so badly that it feels like it has.

Musty smell and cabin air filters

The evaporator sits behind your dash and gets cold and wet every time the A/C runs. Leave it damp in a warm car and mould and bacteria grow on it. That's the musty smell when you first turn on the fan.

The cabin air filter catches dust, pollen and leaves before they reach the evaporator. Many go unchanged for years. A new filter, and cleaning the evaporator if it needs it, usually clears up the smell. To keep it away, switch off the A/C and run the fan for a minute or two before you park so the evaporator dries out.

Run it in winter too

Your defrost setting often runs the A/C compressor to pull moisture out of the air, which is why it clears foggy glass faster. Running the A/C now and then through the winter also keeps oil moving to the seals, which helps them stay soft. If your defroster is slow or the windows fog up, the A/C may be part of the problem.