How much does car AC repair cost?

Matilda Douglas-Henry

A working AC unit is an easy way to ensure your vehicle is at its most comfortable, especially during the hot Australian summer months. There are many reasons why your AC unit might require repair, from the relatively simple—a leaking seal—to a more systemic breakdown, like a failed compressor. This article will provide comprehensive insight into car AC repairs, including: 

A working AC unit is an easy way to ensure your vehicle is at its most comfortable, especially during the hot Australian summer months. There are many reasons why your AC unit might require repair, from the relatively simple—a leaking seal—to a more systemic breakdown, like a failed compressor. This article will provide comprehensive insight into car AC repairs, including: 

1. How a car air conditioning unit works?
2. What causes the need for AC repair, and the possible types of services it might require?
3. How much car AC repair costs?

How does a car AC work?

Regardless of the make and model of your vehicle, it’s a safe bet that your car aircon works just the same as any other. A car AC unit sources its energy from the alternator and runs on refrigerant, a high-pressure gas, and consists of:

• A compressor that turns the refrigerant into a fluid, sending it through to the condenser;
• A condenser that strips the heat from the refrigerant and sends it to the expansion valve or orifice tube; 
• An expansion valve or orifice tube that restores the refrigerant to a gas and pushes it along to the receiver/drier or accumulator; 
• A receiver/drier or accumulator that takes moisture away from the refrigerant and moves it to the evaporator; 
• And finally, an evaporator that takes heat from the air passing through it, sending it to the refrigerant and creating a flow of cold air*. 

What causes damage to my car’s AC unit, and what repairs might it need? 

As mentioned above, there are many different reasons that would cause your car’s aircon to need repairs. Some are quick and easy fixes, whereas others are more complex and will cost you significantly more.

It’s easy to determine pretty quickly whether or not your car AC needs to be repaired: the feeling of hot air blowing in your face when you need to cool down during a sunny drive is deeply unpleasant. This is one of the most common signs of a malfunctioning AC unit, and it means that the compressor has stopped working. (However, be mindful that this should only happen with cars that have a mileage of 150,000km or more.) A broken compressor might cause further internal damage; a technician may recommend getting a full AC service if you find yourself in this position, which might lead to further costs. 

If your AC is blowing air that is cold but smells a little strange, that’s due to a buildup of bacteria. In this instance your unit needs to be regassed: a relatively simple procedure, and one that your vehicle will require during its life in any case. Your car manual should outline when exactly this might need to occur, but because of Australia’s extreme climates it might have to happen sooner. 

Even the smallest of leaks will create problems with your car’s AC unit, and the first thing a qualified technician will do is check for them, even during a simple regassing. Once the issue is located, the refrigerant will be removed, the relevant repairs will be carried out, and the system will be flushed out to ensure there is no lingering contamination*.  

How much does car AC repair cost?

A standard regas for your car AC should cost between $115 and $165—regassing alone costs only $100, but the technician will likely want to assess the unit overall, and do other minor repairs once they’re already in the system. A regas could cost up to $250 depending on the automotive shop, and the type of services they choose to perform alongside the regas. Use our quick quotes service to find the best specialist within your budget. 

A minor AC repair, such as fixing a leaking seal, will cost around $300. Replacing a broken compressor can cost anywhere from $500 to $1200 depending on the severity of the damage and the extent of the repair. 

If the compressor has created quite severe damage and a full service is required, you might need to pay for other replacement parts, as well as more refrigerant. This could lead to costs of up to $1,200, and in some cases anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000. 

Conclusion

Not only does a functional AC unit keep your car feeling as comfortable as possible, it’s also important to keep your demister working safely.