On average your car will lose 10-15% of its refrigerant every year, this means that after 3 years your system (if not serviced) can be down by as much as 45% of its refrigerant. This means the air conditioning compressor runs for longer and reduces your MPG ! Who needs this when the price of fuel is sky rocketing. 

 

 

The hot weather will come eventually and your system is guaranteed to let you down just when you’re on a long trip, on those really hot days. If the system is low on refrigerant it won’t achieve the temperatures required to sufficiently cool the interior of your car. In addition to this your air conditioning system lubricates itself by the refrigerant carrying the pag oil around as it circulates; therefore insufficient gas equals insufficient lubrication and possibly compressor failure. Compressors are the most expensive component of the air conditioning system, some can cost over £800. 

 

 

Certain versions of the 272/273 generation v-engines have a problem with timing gear wear, that is excessive wear of the gear mounted in the center of the 'v' on the 272 this gear is used to drive a balance shaft, and on the 273 it is simply an idler gear. 

 

Here is our blog, pictures included, of the scenario involved to over come this issue. Unfortunately, it isnt a cheap fix, but what we have the capabiltiy, special tooling and STAR diagnostics to do a perfect job for you ! 

 

We can also arrange recovery for you in the U.K. 

 

Faulty or flat batteries are one of the most common causes of breakdown. Stop-start or short journeys don't give batteries the opportunity to recharge properly. 

There are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your car's battery, but we can also help. 

When we attend a vehicle with a flat battery, or suspected flat battery we don't just jump start the vehicle and send you on your way. MotorAid will always carry out a battery test and look for the cause of the problem first when you come in for service, or we offer this as a free of charge service “pop in” as and when you like. 

 

A flat battery is most commonly caused by 

 

Short journeys or insufficient use of a vehicle will shorten a battery's total life. This 'under charging' results in 'sulphation' if the battery voltage is allowed to remain below 12.4 volts. Sulphation is the hardening of the lead plates within the battery and it reduces the battery's ability to accept or hold a charge. 

If you do only use your car occasionally and for short journeys it's worth investing in an intelligent charger/battery conditioner that can be left connected for long periods without risk of damage to the battery, otherwise known as a trickle charger. 

Batteries can fail for other reasons too such as, excessive vibration, over charging, corrosion and temperature (extreme heat and cold). 

 

When we attend a vehicle with a flat battery, or suspected flat battery we don't just jump start the vehicle and send you on your way. MotorAid will always look for the cause. MotorAid will 

 

MOTORAID breakdown & recovery vans carry the latest industry leading battery tester which uses Conductance technology to measure the health of a battery. Conductance battery testing has become the industry standard and is used by all of the major motor manufacturers. 

 

 

For an accurate result a lead acid battery has to be tested in its 'rested state', i.e. before the engine has been started – once the engine has been run, voltage and resistances within the battery will change and this can affect the test result. This means the MotorAid will always start by carrying out a battery test. 

 

MotorAid will connect the tester to the vehicle's battery or remote jump start points and enter the battery details – type and specification – into the tester. 

 

The tester is pre-programmed with data which it compares with the readings from the battery on your vehicle so it can assess the condition. 

The battery tester will then display and print the results of the test. 

MotorAid will still check the charging system and check that nothing is draining the battery to ensure there are no other faults. 

 

 

 

A car battery is made of several separate two volt batteries – called cells – joined together. Cells cannot be replaced individually. 

The battery needs replacing as the tester has identified that the battery has a defective cell. 

'Replace battery' 

The tester has identified that the battery is no longer able to provide the required current and needs replacing. 

 

 

Ideally the battery should be fully bench charged and retested. 

A weak battery is slow to accept a charge, but a good battery will accept a charge more readily. If the readings with the voltmeter and amp-clamp are within specification for the vehicle the original battery test will be repeated to make sure the battery did not just fail the initial test through lack of voltage. 

 

 

This indicates that the battery is within specification but discharged. 

MotorAid will check the charging system, check that nothing is draining the battery and if necessary investigate further the cause of the breakdown. 

A jump start will almost certainly be required and the MotorAid will advise a full recharge as soon as practicable using a battery charger/conditioner. 

 

 

The battery is within specification and in good condition. MotorAid will check the vehicle's charging system and will then investigate the cause of the breakdown. 

 

 

We can supply and fit a new car battery at a time and location that’s convenient for you. 

 

If you do need a new battery call MOTORAID for the latest prices on BOSCH batteries that can be supplied & fitted & the old one taken away for environmentally-friendly disposal.