There's a stretch in mid-summer when the temperature in Seguin stays north of 100°F for a couple of weeks straight, and a car parked on Kingsbury in August reads 140°F inside before the A/C even kicks on. A working air-conditioning system isn't a luxury in Guadalupe County — it's a daily necessity. Frank's Automotive does proper A/C diagnosis: pressure testing, leak detection, compressor evaluation, refrigerant recharge to factory weight, not just "top it off and see what happens."
What we do
A typical A/C service visit:
- High and low side pressure check with gauges, compared against the spec for your vehicle at the ambient temperature
- Electronic leak detection — UV dye + sniffer. If refrigerant is low, there's a leak; we find it before recharging
- Compressor function test — clutch engagement, cycling behavior, current draw
- Cabin air filter inspection — restricted airflow at the vents is just as often a clogged filter as a refrigerant issue
- Evacuation and recharge — pull to vacuum, hold to confirm sealed, then weigh in the correct refrigerant (R-134a or R-1234yf depending on the model year) to factory weight
- Failed-component replacement when needed — compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator core. All quoted in writing first
Symptoms that mean you should bring it in
- Vent air is only mildly cool with the system on max
- Reduced airflow even at the highest fan setting
- Cycling rapidly — compressor clutch engages and disengages quickly (often low refrigerant)
- Hissing under the hood or fluid pooling under the car after parking
- Musty smell (evaporator mold) or sweet smell (refrigerant leak inside cabin)
- HVAC error code on the dashboard
Avoid the store-bought "stop-leak" recharge cans. The polymer they include contaminates the rest of the system and turns a $200 repair into a $1,500 one. Bring it in if you suspect a leak.
Why Frank's for A/C work
Our technicians are ASE Certified and handle refrigerant per EPA Section 609 regulations — recovery and recycling, no venting. We carry both R-134a (older vehicles) and R-1234yf (most 2017+). The repair is covered by our 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty.
A/C diagnosis is usually same-day, and recharges are typically done while you wait. Request an appointment or call (830) 379-4840 — earlier in the summer is better than later.