Here’s How We Do What We Do
- The first thing we do is give your air conditioning system a FREE visual inspection.
- We hook up our gauges to the system then add pressure to check for major blowing leaks.
- If the system holds the pressure we will talk to you about re-charging and checking the system.
- While we are doing the free visual inspection, we will also determine if there is an electrical problem.
- If there is an electrical problem we will talk to you about the diagnosis and repair. We also look for any locked up components like compressors or clutches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is This Going To Cost?
Prices vary according to the parts, labor and machine time needed to complete the work. You’ll find our prices are competitive and substantially lower than “Dealer” pricing. Estimates are always given before work is done and we will present you with a fair price backed by a solid warranty.
Do You Guaranty Your Work?
Yes, all our work is backed by a 12-month warranty for parts and labor. While we can’t warranty refrigerant or system components we don’t replace, we will do our best to recommend the proper repairs to give you years of trouble-free service.
Does my A/C system need regular maintenance?
Normally your system will run for years with no regular maintenance but there are a few things you can do to keep your A/C system out of trouble. Keep all leaves and debris out from under the hood, this can find its way into your evaporator and promote corrosion of the aluminum parts.
Make sure your engine is not running hot, the heat transfer from the radiator can cause high pressure in your system and damage seals and some computers will turn a system off if the system is overheating. We recommend no using cans of “Freon” from the auto parts store, they can potentially introduce moisture and air into the system which can damage your system. Always have your system recharged by a professional with the proper equipment for the job.
How long does an estimate take?
Visual inspections are completed in 30-90 minutes.
How long will my repairs take?
Depending on the extent of the repairs, most jobs are completed in the same day. Once we have your vehicle diagnosed we can give you a more accurate time estimate.
Do you accept service contracts and extended warranties?
Yes, we will work with your extended warranty company, but please note, the customer will be responsible for any cost beyond what the warranty company will pay and this could extend the length of the repairs. Some extended warranty company’s have unusual procedures in approving repairs, this may involve them sending out an adjuster to inspect your vehicle.
Can I supply my own parts?
With few exceptions, we cannot install customer supplied parts. Exceptions may be specialty parts or any parts not available through our vendors.
Can’t you get a cheaper part or a used one?
Cheaper parts are sometimes available but we don’t consider them as reliable as top quality name brand parts. Our reputation is as valuable to us as your vehicle is to you! The best quality work requires the best quality parts. Our volume purchasing allows us to use the highest quality parts at the best possible price.
What about rebuilt parts?
Due to our volume buying power the average savings on using rebuilt over new is less than 10% of the entire job cost. Pair this with the notoriously bad reputation of rebuilt A/C parts and it just doesn’t make sense to use them. There are a few exceptions that we have noted over the years and will mention if they pertain to your vehicle.
Can’t I just add “Freon” in a can from the auto parts store?
Yes, but system performance could suffer. For a system to be properly charged the exact volume of “Freon” must be determined by weight. The gauges on the “DIY” cans will never show your precise charge. They may introduce air and moisture in the system which will create a corrosive reaction with the internal parts causing damage to your system.
I added “Freon” from a can and the gauge says its full but still doesn’t cool.
There are many reasons you’re A/C system may not cool. We do not charge for the initial visual inspection. Before you spend any more money let us give you a professional opinion.
No cooling at idle or in traffic but cools fine on highway.
Usually a sign of poor air flow through the condenser but can also be caused by many component malfunctions.
My A/C cools fine sometimes and blows hot other times.
Intermittent cooling is a common complaint and one that can be very difficult to diagnose. To get the correct diagnosis we must see your vehicle “act-up”. If it works fine while in the shop we cannot give a 100% accurate diagnosis, but, because of our experience, we know what usually causes these problems on certain vehicles and can aim our check-out on those problems. Most shops and dealerships do not see as many broken A/C units as we do and would have to guess at their diagnosis.
My local garage can repair my A/C system…why should I deal with Auto Cool?
Since 1983, Auto Cool as worked on car A/C & Heating systems exclusively. As an independent auto HVAC specialist we provide a comfortable alternative to the dealer. Because we see the same thing over and over again, our diagnoses are more accurate, our repairs more thorough and our turn-around is faster. We have our own parts department which is stocked with only A/C parts, this way we can buy at better prices and pass that savings on to our customers. We offer an unusually high level of skill, professionalism and efficiency in car A/C & Heater repair.