A/C Service & Repair
A/C recharge, leak detection, and compressor repair in Kelowna. We service both R-134a and R-1234yf systems on all makes. No guesswork, no top-ups without fixing the leak first.
Book This ServiceJuly in Kelowna hits 38°C and your A/C blows warm. You are not the only one calling. Every summer we book solid from late June through August with A/C complaints, and the pattern is almost always the same: the system lost refrigerant through a slow leak that went unnoticed for months. By the time the driver notices the air is warm, the charge is low enough that the compressor is running without proper lubrication, which turns a $150 leak repair into an $800 compressor replacement.
Refrigerant does not get used up. It circulates in a sealed loop. If the charge is low, something is leaking. We use electronic sniffers and UV dye to find leaks in hoses, O-rings, compressor shaft seals, condensers (road debris punches pinholes more often than people expect), and evaporator cores. Once we know where the refrigerant is escaping, we fix the leak. Then we recharge. Shops that skip the leak detection and just top up the system are selling you refrigerant you will lose again in 8 to 14 months.
Two refrigerant types exist on the road right now. R-134a covers most vehicles built before 2017. R-1234yf is the newer specification with a lower global warming potential, required on most vehicles from 2017 forward. R-1234yf recovery and recharging equipment costs significantly more than R-134a gear, so not every independent shop has it. We have both machines and service both types daily.
Compressor failures deserve special attention. The compressor oil circulates with the refrigerant, so a system running low on charge is also running low on lubrication. A seized compressor sheds metal debris through the entire loop. Replacing a compressor without flushing the system and swapping the orifice tube, receiver/drier, and sometimes the condenser almost guarantees a second failure within a year. We flush and replace the contaminated parts as part of every compressor job.
The cabin air filter sits upstream of the evaporator and catches pollen, dust, and wildfire smoke particulates before they enter the passenger compartment. In the Okanagan, where pollen counts are high in spring and smoke rolls through in August, a clogged cabin filter restricts airflow enough to make the A/C feel weak even when the refrigerant charge is full. We check the cabin filter on every A/C service and replace it if needed. We also check the evaporator for mould growth, which is the source of that musty smell many drivers notice when they first turn on the A/C in spring.
Book your A/C service before July if you can. Call (250) 861-4354.
What's Included
- Vent temperature and pressure testing
- R-134a and R-1234yf recharge
- Electronic leak detection with UV dye confirmation
- Compressor replacement with full system flush
- Condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve service
- Hose and O-ring leak repair
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Climate control module diagnosis
- Blower motor and resistor testing
Signs You Need A/C Service
- Warm air from vents when A/C is on
- Weak airflow even at high fan speed
- Musty or mouldy smell when the system kicks in
- Clicking or squealing from the compressor area
- A/C clutch engaging and disengaging every few seconds
- System was recharged within the last 18 months and is warm again
Our Process
Pressure and Temperature Test
We connect gauges to the high and low sides of the system and measure vent output temperature. This tells us whether the charge is correct, whether the compressor is cycling normally, and where the system is losing efficiency. Takes about 15 minutes.
Leak Detection
Low charge means a leak exists somewhere. We use an electronic refrigerant sniffer to trace the leak to a specific hose, fitting, seal, or component. If the sniffer cannot isolate it, we inject UV dye, run the system, and follow the glow. We do not recharge until we know where the refrigerant is going.
Repair or Replace
An O-ring leak is a $40 part and 20 minutes of labour. A condenser replacement is a bigger job. A compressor failure means flushing the entire system and replacing the orifice tube, receiver/drier, and sometimes the condenser. We explain the scope and cost before we start, and we only replace what actually failed.
Evacuate, Recharge, Verify
We pull the system to vacuum for at least 30 minutes to remove moisture and confirm the vacuum holds (which confirms the leak is repaired). Then we recharge with the correct refrigerant type and exact quantity for your vehicle. Vent temperature gets measured again to confirm the system is performing to spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
R-134a recharge runs $120 to $180 with refrigerant and labour. R-1234yf is more expensive because the refrigerant itself costs more, typically $200 to $300 for a full recharge. But if your system lost its charge, there is a leak that needs to be found and fixed first. The recharge price is only part of the picture. We diagnose before we quote.
Because the leak was never repaired. Refrigerant does not get consumed, so every time the system goes low, it leaked out. Recharging without finding and fixing the leak is paying for refrigerant you will lose again within 8 to 18 months. We find the leak, repair it, and then recharge. That is the only way to fix it permanently.
We have R-1234yf recovery and recharging equipment. Vehicles from roughly 2017 onward use this newer refrigerant, and the equipment required to service it properly is different from R-134a gear. Not every independent shop in Kelowna has made the investment. We service both types every day.
No. Those cans cannot recover existing refrigerant first, so you risk overcharging the system, which damages the compressor. They do not detect or fix leaks. Some contain sealant additives that clog recovery equipment and can ruin components. A $30 can of refrigerant can turn a $150 repair into a $900 one. Professional A/C service costs less in the long run.
Book your A/C service in Kelowna
Call or book online. We'll tell you exactly what the vehicle needs — and what it doesn't. No surprises on the bill.