Mitsubishi AC Pressure Test Carried Out in Walsall
A white Mitsubishi came into us recently for an air conditioning check. The customer had noticed the system was not cooling as well as it should, and wanted to know whether it needed a recharge or whether there was something more going on. Before we put any refrigerant into a system, we always carry out a pressure test first. There is no point topping up a system that has a leak, because you will be back in a few weeks with the same problem and you will have paid twice.
The AC System Was Pressure Tested Using Specialist R1234yf Equipment Before Any Work Was Done
This Mitsubishi uses R1234yf refrigerant, which is the newer type of refrigerant now fitted to most cars built in the last several years. It is not the same as the older R134a refrigerant, and you cannot service an R1234yf system with older equipment. We use a dedicated AC service machine that is specifically designed for R1234yf. It has its own set of pressure gauges, a digital readout, and connects to the vehicle's high and low pressure sides via colour-coded hoses, blue for the low side and red for the high side. The machine draws the system down into a vacuum first, then monitors whether that vacuum holds over a set period of time. If the pressure drops during that hold period, it tells us there is a leak somewhere in the system. On this Mitsubishi, the pressure readings came back well within range and held steady. That told us the system was sealed correctly and had no leaks we needed to worry about.
A Leaking or Low AC System Does More Than Just Blow Warm Air
A lot of people think a failing air conditioning system is just an inconvenience, something to put up with until it gets really bad. But there are a few things worth understanding here. The refrigerant in the system does not just cool the air, it also carries the oil that lubricates the compressor. If the refrigerant level drops too low, the compressor starts running dry. Compressors are not cheap. A replacement AC compressor on a car like this can run into several hundred pounds, and that is before you factor in the labour to fit it and the cost of evacuating and recharging the system properly. Catching a low refrigerant situation early, before the compressor starts suffering, is the difference between a relatively modest service job and a significantly more expensive repair. Beyond cost, in warmer months your air conditioning also plays a role in keeping you alert and comfortable on longer drives. It is not just about luxury.
The System Checked Out and the Car Was Confirmed Ready for the Warmer Months
Because the pressure test showed no leaks and the system was holding correctly, this Mitsubishi did not need any remedial work beyond the diagnostic check itself. The readings were solid, the system integrity was confirmed, and the customer left knowing exactly where they stood with their air conditioning. That is what a proper pressure test is for. It gives you a clear answer either the system is sound, or it is not, and if it is not, you know before you have wasted money on a recharge that would just leak straight back out.
At Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall, we carry out air conditioning checks, pressure tests, recharges, and repairs on a wide range of vehicles. If your AC is blowing air that feels less cold than it used to, or if it seems to take much longer than normal to cool the cabin down, those are signs worth getting looked at. The same applies if you can hear an unusual noise when the AC compressor kicks in, or if you notice the system cycling on and off more than it should. These are all early indicators that something may be developing. Bringing it in sooner rather than later usually keeps the cost down considerably. If you want your air conditioning checked or serviced ahead of the summer, get in touch with us or book in through our website at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.
