AUTOMOTIVE A/C EVALUATION

Know what the A/C tests support before approving repairs.

A compressor recommendation or refrigerant recharge does not explain every cooling problem. We perform an independent paid evaluation, explain the findings and prepare a repair estimate when appropriate. We come to suitable customer homes and workplaces in North Fulton, South Forsyth and selected nearby communities.

AUTOMOTIVE A/C IS WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY

Choose an A/C specialist who tests before recommending parts.

Vehicle A/C diagnosis and repair is our day-to-day work, not an occasional add-on. We bring focused testing, refrigerant-handling equipment, and clear explanations to suitable customer locations.

A/C-focused work, every day

We work on automotive A/C concerns daily, from weak or intermittent cooling to electrical controls, leaks, compressor concerns, and system contamination.

Diagnosis before parts or refrigerant

We test the vehicle and explain what the evidence supports. A pressure reading, a recharge, or another shop's recommendation alone does not decide the repair.

Professional equipment and resources

We use professional A/C diagnostic, recovery, and charging equipment, supported by ongoing training and technical resources for today's vehicle systems and refrigerants.

Transparent findings and straight answers

When useful, we document readings, findings, photos, or video so you can see what we saw. We answer your questions in plain language before you decide about a repair.

Training, membership and certification

Annual A/C training

We take annual automotive A/C training to keep our knowledge current as vehicle systems, refrigerants and service procedures change.

MACS, Mobile Air Climate Systems Association

MACS membership

We belong to the Mobile Air Climate Systems Association, which provides automotive A/C training and technical resources.

About MACS

What Section 609 means

Our refrigerant service is performed by a Section 609-certified technician. This certification covers proper automotive refrigerant handling, recovery and use of service equipment through an EPA-approved training program.

About Section 609 certification

Our qualifications support the work; the reason to choose 4A is the quality of the testing, transparent documentation, and the honest answers you receive. Need an independent A/C second opinion? We review the vehicle ourselves and explain what the evidence supports.

Testing comes before a repair recommendation

A/C symptoms can have more than one cause. A pressure reading or a temporary improvement after adding refrigerant does not, by itself, explain why the system is not cooling. We choose tests based on the vehicle, complaint, refrigerant, and conditions present during the visit.

R-134a evaluations are $195 and R-1234yf evaluations are $245, each including the first hour of on-vehicle diagnosis. If the concern needs additional testing, repeated pressurization, or disassembly, we explain the next step and get approval before proceeding.

1. Understand the complaint

We ask what changed, when the concern occurs, and what has already been tried. Warm air at idle, weak airflow, one side warmer than the other, intermittent cooling, and a system that stops cooling after a recharge are useful clues, but none identifies the failed part on its own.

2. Evaluate the system

We inspect and test according to the vehicle and symptoms. Relevant checks may include operating conditions, vent temperatures, pressures, airflow, electrical or control operation, refrigerant identification, and targeted leak testing. Not every test applies to every vehicle.

3. Explain what the results support

We discuss what the evidence confirms, what it points toward, and what remains uncertain. Previous estimates and paperwork can provide helpful background, but 4A evaluates and tests the vehicle itself; repairs are not performed based solely on another shop’s findings or recommendations.

4. Estimate before repair

Recommended work is explained and estimated separately. You decide whether to approve it. Submitting a request or paying for an evaluation does not authorize a repair.

5. Verify approved work

If you approve a repair, we complete the agreed work with parts supplied by 4A and verify system operation. The findings and service record describe what was done and what we observed.

Refrigerant identification and handling

We identify the refrigerant before service and use appropriate equipment for recovery and charging according to the vehicle and equipment requirements.

When more testing is needed

A fault may be intermittent, inaccessible, or dependent on conditions that are not present during the appointment. If more time, testing, or disassembly is needed, we explain the reason and cost before continuing.

What the service record may include

We document observations that matter to the complaint and vehicle. Depending on the system and test plan, that may include ambient conditions, vent temperatures, relevant pressure readings, control or electrical responses, leak evidence, refrigerant information, and supporting photos or video. A single pressure reading does not establish every A/C failure.

Current A/C evaluation pricing

R-134a evaluations are $195 and R-1234yf evaluations are $245. Each includes the first hour of on-vehicle diagnosis. If further testing is needed, it is $50 per 15 minutes after your approval, capped at $195 for the second hour. Repairs, refrigerant, parts, and applicable taxes are quoted separately.

See pricing and what to expect

COMMON A/C QUESTIONS

What customers often want to know

Why do mobile A/C prices differ from a low advertised shop special?

The included work can be different. Before comparing, check whether an offer includes diagnosis of the cause, leak testing, refrigerant, mobile travel and a repair estimate.

Can you simply add refrigerant?

A recharge does not correct a leak, airflow issue or electrical fault. We review the concern and system condition before recommending refrigerant service.

Is refrigerant included?

Refrigerant is separate unless it is specifically listed in your approved quote. We explain the amount, price and reason before proceeding.

What happens if the issue needs more testing?

We explain what remains uncertain, why additional testing is recommended and the price before continuing. You decide whether to approve the next step.

Will I know the price before booking?

Yes. R-134a evaluations are $195 and R-1234yf evaluations are $245, each including the first hour of on-vehicle diagnosis. We confirm route availability before scheduling.

What if a repair is recommended?

We provide a short itemized estimate for the recommended repair. No repair work begins without your approval.

Do you work at homes and workplaces?

Yes, at suitable customer locations with vehicle access, permission and a safe work area. We confirm location fit before scheduling.

Which areas do you serve?

Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell and Duluth are the core focus. Milton, Crabapple and other locations are reviewed by address, route, scope and availability.

Can I supply my own A/C repair parts?

Thank you for asking. We supply the parts we install and do not install customer-provided parts. Choosing suitable parts is part of our professional responsibility. We consider vehicle compatibility, quality and supplier support so we can manage and stand behind the complete repair. Our goal is to complete the repair correctly the first time. Even new parts can have defects. We handle supplier issues and applicable warranty support, giving you one business to contact if something goes wrong. Qualifying repairs include a 2-year / 24,000-mile parts-and-labor warranty, whichever comes first. Your written estimate or invoice explains eligibility, coverage and terms.

Can you tell whether a compressor is actually bad?

We evaluate the system and the vehicle-specific evidence. Depending on the design and symptoms, that may include checking electrical and control operation, clutch operation where equipped, system performance, refrigerant condition, and signs of leakage or internal contamination. We explain what the results support; a compressor recommendation alone does not establish that every A/C component needs replacement.

Why did the A/C stop cooling after a recharge?

A system that cools briefly and then warms again may have lost refrigerant, but airflow, electrical, control, or component concerns can also affect cooling. How long it worked is useful history, but it does not establish the cause by itself.

Will the evaluation always identify the exact failed part?

We explain what the available evidence confirms, narrows down, or leaves unresolved. Some intermittent problems do not occur during the visit, and some findings require additional approved testing or access. We will explain the next step and any added cost before doing additional work.

Does the evaluation fee include a repair or refrigerant?

No. The evaluation is a paid testing service. Refrigerant and repair parts or labor are separate. Current evaluation and refrigerant pricing is on our Pricing page.

Is the evaluation fee credited toward a repair?

The evaluation is a separate paid service. There is no automatic repair credit. Any credit must be stated in your written estimate before you approve the repair.

Can the repair be done during the same visit?

Sometimes. That depends on the confirmed findings, parts availability, repair scope, location, and remaining appointment time. If the repair is not a fit for that visit, we explain the estimate and next step before work is approved.

What should I share before requesting an evaluation?

Start with the vehicle year, make and model; what the A/C is doing; whether the concern is constant or intermittent; when it changes, such as at idle or on the road; and any recent recharge or prior findings. To confirm an appointment, we also need the service address, property permission, work-area details, and preferred days or times.

On-site work has to fit the location

We confirm the complete address, permission, safe working space, vehicle access, and a grounded 120-volt outlet within practical reach. We bring appointment-based service to suitable locations and make the final decision about whether the proposed work area is suitable.

Check service areas and location requirements

Bring us the other estimate

If someone recommended a compressor or complete A/C system, share what they found and what the vehicle is doing. We welcome it as background, then evaluate and test the vehicle ourselves before recommending or performing repairs. A second opinion is not a promise that we will disagree.

Request a second-opinion evaluation