A parking-lot recharge can from the auto parts store buys you a few weeks and can overcharge the system. We measure pressures, find the leak with dye or an electronic sniffer, replace the failed part — compressor, condenser, evaporator, line, or Schrader valve — and recharge to the exact weight the manufacturer specifies. Carolina August is not the time to guess.
Signs you need a/c recharge & repair
- A/C blows warm or only cool at highway speed
- A/C works then stops after a few minutes
- Clicking or grinding when the A/C engages
- Hissing from the dash when you turn it off
- Water not draining under the car (evaporator issue)
What we do on site
- Check static and running pressures
- Inspect the compressor clutch and cooling fans
- Leak-test with dye or an electronic detector
- Replace the failed component and the receiver/drier when the system is opened
- Vacuum the system, then recharge by weight with PAG oil
- Verify vent temperature
Doing this in a driveway
We carry a recovery and charging setup on the truck. Condensers, compressors, and lines are all driveway work. Evaporators behind the dash are usually a shop job.
Parts we use
Refrigerant (R-134a or R-1234yf), PAG oil, condenser, compressor, lines, drier, Schrader valves, pressure switches as needed.
Pricing: A recharge is moderate (R-1234yf on newer cars costs more); compressor jobs are the higher end of what we do. Every job is quoted in writing before we start, and there's no upsell — how our pricing works.
FAQ
A/C Recharge & Repair: common questions
Why not just add refrigerant?
If it's low, it leaked. Adding more without finding the leak means doing it again next month and risking compressor damage from the oil that leaked out with it.
Does my car use R-134a or R-1234yf?
Most vehicles from 2015 onward use R-1234yf, which is more expensive. There's a label under the hood, or we can look it up.
Why does my A/C only work when driving?
Usually a failed condenser fan or a clogged condenser. At speed, airflow does the fan's job. It's a common and fixable problem.