With our high temperatures and high humidity, having no aircon can be difficult. If your car’s air conditioning isn’t cooling, it may not be a major repair. A car air conditioning regas cost may be as little as $115. A minor repair may cost up to $300. To replace the air compressor, expect to spend between $500 and $1,400 for parts and labour.

If you detect a strange smell, bacteria may have built up in your air vents. This indicates that it’s time to regas your aircon. A proper regas costs $115 to $165, although you may be able to get a deal if you seek quotes. Keep in mind that this includes what the technician does to test the viability of the system and to drain the old refrigerant. Your car aircon regas cost should include other services if you are paying $100 or more.

Your car aircon repair cost will be lower if limited to a specific item such as a leaking hose or a clogged air filter. If more complicated, the cost of labour and parts become significant. An older vehicle may cost more to repair due to the cost of rare parts. A bigger vehicle or more complicated engine may require more hours of labour.

For the AC condenser, repairs include the unit cost plus a minimum of two hours of labour. Some vehicles will require three or even four hours to complete the job. The technician takes out the refrigerant before the car can be fixed. Next, they disconnect the clutch pull, clutch and refrigerant lines. The old compressor is unbolted and a new one is fitted into place. Then the technician reverses the process, reconnecting each item. Finally, the system can be recharged with refrigerant. When you add the cost of the compressor and labour, it’s no wonder that this repair is can be expensive.

Regas: Check your manufacturer’s guide to see when the engineers predict you would need to regas your aircon. Australian heat may cause it to run out sooner than this prediction. The regassing air conditioning car cost should be between $100 and $250, depending on how the workshop designs the service. Even if it is a simple refill, the technician should be checking for leaks.

AC compressor: When the AC compressor breaks, the air conditioning blows only hot air. Unless there is a defect, this problem usually doesn’t occur until 150,000 km or more. You can expect a compressor replacement to cost between $500 and $1200. Your mechanic should explain to you which additional parts need replacement as part of the estimate.

Total service: If the problem is the broken AC compressor, this can cause internal damage and you may need to pay for replacement hoses and other parts. Furthermore, you will probably pay for more refrigerant. This drives the cost up to as much as $1200. Worst-case scenarios range from $2,000 to $4,000.

The price of labour and the condition of your aircon are the main variants when it comes to auto repair. A specialised quote for your area is your best bet to find savings. Oneflare customers have been quoted the following for a car aircon service: 

Tip #1: Personalised quotes from local experts are a surefire way to understand how much a repair will cost. You can choose the lowest estimate or decide to go with the most reputable firm, but you’ll know what the minimum and maximum prices are. You can ask about labour costs and find out about the availability parts.

Tip #2: If you know that the compressor the issue, you should ask if there is a more affordable way to get a new part than to use the original manufacturer. Generic parts and used parts can sometimes save you hundreds of dollars.

When hiring, remember that a refrigerant license is required to handle aircon gas. If it is not done properly, it can cause further damage to the ozone layer. Your service technician should follow strict regulations and have specialised equipment for transfer and storage.

Ask about the process. To make an accurate diagnosis, your technician should inspect the hoses, look for broken seals, check the thermostat operation, do a condenser temperature check, make a suction line temperature reading, and use an electronic leak detector.

Tip #1: When you get an estimate, you should find out if parts and gas are part of the estimate. If you have used personalised quotes, you’ll have a good idea if the costs are reasonable or not.

Tip #2: Ask the technician to state exactly what you need for a safe and productive aircon unit. Otherwise, they may tack on extra services and drive up your costs. If your service tech says it’s a broken compressor without looking for a different cause, this should make you think twice. A refrigerant leak can cause the compressor to stop working. Once the leak is addressed, the compressor can do its job.

Tip #3: Drivers should also not opt to utilise a cheap regas because of the danger. Cheaper regasses are often made from hydrocarbon-based gas which is highly flammable and dangerous to you and your passengers.

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources