A/C recharge and air-conditioning circuit check

Restore the cold, protect the compressor

An air-conditioning circuit naturally loses some of its refrigerant every year, through micro-leaks at fittings and seals. When the charge becomes insufficient, the air blown turns lukewarm, the system labours, and above all the compressor — the most expensive part of the circuit — ends up running poorly lubricated, since the oil circulates with the refrigerant. A recharge is therefore not simply a matter of "adding gas": it is a full restoration. We first check the pressure and tightness of the circuit, evacuate it to remove parasitic moisture and air, then recharge it with the exact quantity of refrigerant specified by the manufacturer — R134a on vehicles built before 2017, R1234yf on more recent ones. A test of the air outlet temperature validates the result.

• 01

  Cooling restored for the long term

  A charge brought back to the manufacturer's value restores the cabin's original cooling capacity. The air conditioning regains its efficiency, including in the full heat of a coastal summer.

• 02

  The compressor protected

  The refrigerant carries the oil that lubricates the compressor. A metered recharge and a careful evacuation prevent it from running dry — it is the most costly part of the circuit that is protected this way.

• 03

  A leak caught in time

  The preliminary tightness check reveals any leak before recharging. There is no point putting refrigerant back into a circuit that loses it: we tell you and guide you before any intervention.

1. 01

   Pressure and tightness check

   We connect the A/C station to the circuit's high- and low-pressure ports and read the pressures. A leak check identifies any abnormal loss before committing to the recharge — a circuit that is not tight is flagged immediately.

2. 02

   Evacuating the circuit

   The circuit is evacuated to remove residual air and moisture, which degrade the refrigerant and the efficiency. This phase also indirectly validates tightness: a vacuum that does not hold reveals a leak.

3. 03

   Metered refrigerant recharge

   We inject the exact quantity of refrigerant specified by the manufacturer — R134a or R1234yf depending on the vehicle — together with the associated lubricating oil. Dosing to the manufacturer's value governs efficiency and compressor longevity.

4. 04

   Air outlet temperature test

   With the engine running and the air conditioning on, we measure the air temperature at the vents to validate the cold restored. The result is verified before the vehicle is returned.

How do I know if my air conditioning needs a recharge?

The most common sign is air that no longer cools, or that takes a long time to do so. A circuit naturally loses a little refrigerant each year through micro-leaks. If the cold weakens progressively from one summer to the next, a recharge is generally indicated. Our preliminary pressure check confirms the actual state of charge before any intervention.

What is the difference between R134a and R1234yf?

They are two refrigerants. R134a equips vehicles built before roughly 2017; R1234yf, which has a lower climate impact, equips more recent vehicles in line with European regulations. The two refrigerants are not interchangeable: we identify the one specified for your vehicle and recharge with the correct fluid, in the exact quantity indicated by the manufacturer.

Why evacuate the circuit before recharging?

Evacuation removes the air and moisture present in the circuit. Moisture, mixing with the refrigerant, degrades its efficiency and can corrode components; parasitic air falsifies the pressures. This phase is essential to a quality recharge: it governs both cooling efficiency and the longevity of the circuit. It also helps detect a leak, since a vacuum that does not hold reveals a tightness defect.

How much does a recharge cost and how long does it take?

An A/C recharge is charged at thirty-nine euros and takes around thirty to forty-five minutes, including the check, evacuation, recharge and cold test. VAT not applicable, article 293 B of the French General Tax Code. If the check reveals a leak, we tell you: there would be no point recharging a circuit that does not retain the refrigerant.

What happens if the circuit has a leak?

Our preliminary tightness check reveals leaks before recharging. If the circuit has one, recharging without addressing it would have no lasting effect. We tell you clearly and point you towards the necessary repair. The recharge then takes place once the circuit is tight, for cooling that lasts over time.