German Car Air Conditioning Regas & Service in Perth
No cold air on a 40-degree Perth day usually means a refrigerant leak, not just a top-up. We’re ARC-licensed specialists in German and European air conditioning systems, from a straightforward regas to full compressor diagnostics.
- ARC Licensed (AU18660)
- MTA & IAME Accredited
- German & European Specialist Since 1999
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Why This Isn’t A Job For Just Anyone
Pace Auto Werks holds full ARC accreditation for automotive air conditioning service and repair. This means your vehicle’s refrigerant is handled legally, safely, and to the standard required by the Australian Refrigeration Council, something not every workshop can offer.
With new laws regulating the air conditioning industry set out by the Australian Refrigeration Council, it is most important that an accredited licensed repairer carries out any air conditioning repairs to your vehicle as the gas used in the automotive air conditioning system is ozone depleting.
The service process is strictly governed and the procedures must be followed without exception. Equipment must be fastidiously maintained, with leak tests and condition checks conducted regularly.
Pace Auto Werks has full accreditation to carry out any auto air conditioning service and major repairs to your vehicle. Our experienced technicians ensure your vehicle’s air conditioning system operates to capacity, completed in an environmentally sound and safe manner. All work is guaranteed as part of our honest, friendly service.
Signs Your German Car Needs An Aircon Regas or Service
Most drivers notice one of these before the aircon fails completely:
- Weak or warm airflow even on max, often the first sign of low refrigerant on BMW and Audi systems.
- Musty or damp smell from the vents, usually a blocked or saturated pollen/cabin filter rather than the refrigerant itself.
- Unusual noise on startup (grinding, squealing or clicking from the compressor), common on higher-mileage Mercedes and VW models.
- Slow-clearing or fogged windscreen in cooler months, the aircon system dries the air for demisting even when you’re not running it for cold, so a fault here shows up in winter too.
- The system cycles on and off rapidly, often a sign the compressor clutch or refrigerant charge needs inspection.
Car Air Conditioning Service and Repair
Did you know that the function of a car air conditioning system is not only to cool the cabin in summer but to also be used with the climate control system to dry the air, enabling the demisting of your windscreen during winter?
Pace has the very latest air conditioning servicing equipment from Europe that ensures your car air con system is serviced to the exact manufacturer’s parameters and specifications.
What We Know About German Aircon Systems
German and European manufacturers don’t build a generic aircon system and servicing them like one is why regas jobs on these cars fail early elsewhere.
- Refrigerant type: we service both R134a and the newer R1234yf refrigerant used in most German and European vehicles built from around 2017 onward. R1234yf requires different handling equipment and a different oil specification. Using the wrong process on the wrong refrigerant type is a common mistake at general workshops and one reason a regas at the wrong place doesn’t last.
- Dual-zone and multi-zone climate control: BMW, Audi and Mercedes commonly run independent driver/passenger (and rear) climate zones, controlled by multiple blend-door actuators and sensors rather than one thermostat. A regas alone won’t fix a zone-specific fault.
Maintaining Your Prestige Auto’s Air Conditioning Unit
It is very important to evacuate, measure and inject the correct amounts of R134a gas, fluoro dye and Pag oil into a vehicle’s air conditioner for it to be able to operate to its capacity. The new machine does all this while evaluating the system for peak efficiency and can identify leaks in the process.
Should your air con system fail the testing procedure, we will need to identify the leak’s location and quote on a repair to commission the system back to a satisfactory working order. It is illegal for us to just top up a leaking air conditioning system and, by law, we must decommission the system if the necessary repair is not undertaken.
Why Choose Pace Auto Werks?
German and European specialists since 1999.
Over 25 years serving BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche and Mini owners exclusively.
Fully accredited.
MTA member, IAME member, and ARC licensed for automotive air conditioning (Licensed Repairer MRB179, ARC AU18660).
Owner-operated.
Simon and Kim Locke’s names are on every job, not a franchise or call centre.
Castrol Oils endorsed workshop.
We use Castrol-approved oils and lubricants across every service, giving you the same quality standard you’d expect from a dealership, without the dealership price.
prestige vehicles We Service
Happy Customers
Frequently Asked questions
How Often Should I Service My Car Air Conditioner?
Regular servicing is recommended every 1-2 years to ensure optimal performance of car air conditioning systems and to prevent any major issues arising.
What Are The Signs My Car’s Air Conditioning Needs Servicing?
Common signs that your vehicle’s air con needs a service include weak airflow, strange noises, a musty smell and the blowing of hot air instead of cold air.
What Does A Typical Car Air Conditioning Service Include?
A typical service may include checking refrigerant levels, inspecting for leaks, cleaning or replacing the air filters to maintain air quality and ensuring the proper function of all components.
What Should I Do If I Suspect A Leak In My Car’s Air Conditioning System?
If you suspect a leak, it is crucial to have your car inspected by a professional as soon as possible. This prevents further damage from occurring and ensures the system operates efficiently.
Is An Air Conditioning Service & Air Conditioning Regas The Same Thing?
An air conditioning regas and a full service aren’t the same thing. A regas simply replaces the refrigerant gas to restore cooling. A service is more comprehensive, including system checks, leak inspection, component testing and overall performance assessment – with a regas only done if needed.
In short, a regas is one part of a proper air conditioning service, not a replacement for it.
Why Is My Car Air Conditioning Not Blowing Cold Air?
This is often caused by low refrigerant levels, a leak in the system, a faulty compressor or blocked filters. A professional inspection is the best way to identify the exact issue and restore proper cooling performance.
How Much Does A Car Aircon Regas Cost In Perth?
Cost depends on the vehicle, the refrigerant type, and whether a leak needs repairing before the regas. A standard regas typically starts from around $180 to $250, depending on the vehicle and refrigerant type. If a leak or component fault is found, we’ll quote the repair separately before any work begins, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
What Refrigerant Does My Car Use?
Most German and European vehicles built before around 2017 use R134a. Most vehicles from 2017 onward use R1234yf, a newer refrigerant that requires different handling equipment. We service both, and we’ll confirm which your vehicle uses before starting any work.
Will A Regas Fix My Air Conditioning If It Has A Leak?
No. Regassing a leaking system is a temporary fix at best, and it’s illegal to simply top up a leaking system without repairing it. We diagnose and repair the leak first, then regas to the correct specification.