Hi everybody, I have great news about about a one-man operator in the New Forest who has just done a fantastic job fixing my air-con (Townace Super-extra 1992 with dual circuit plus hot-cool box). This was after another firm in Southampton had looked at it; done a semi-retro conversion, mangled the wiring and suggested I booked ot in with them for some investigative (open-ended surgery).

The air con specialist is Richard Ingram of Forest Auto Climate, 83 The Meadows, Lyndhurst, Hants SO43 7EJ tel
02380 284784 or mobile 07980 296371, www.forestautoclimate.co.uk.

He had never worked on a Townace before and when I explained the problem he agreed to investigate to a fixed fee (after which it was down to him)to find the problems. These were a high pressure fault on the low pressure line, contaminated refrigerent (from last cowboy retro-fit), excess oil in system and blockage which turned out to be the drier breaking up, plus faulty wiring modification to hot/cool box which not only meant it wouldn't work even if the air con did but the ignition ran on for 10 secs after turning off the engine and the blower was constantly on low.

So he researched the whole thing, obtained an exploded diagram of the whole set up, split the whole thing apart and flushed it with a special flushing agent in both directions, fitted new neoprene seals throughout, fitted a new reciever/drier from Toyota (£93), added new oil ande re-gassed with R134a, and then un-did the cowboy wiring and restored it to original spec.

Result is that I now have a fantastic Town ace with full air con and hot-cool box which make ice for your gin and tonic and keeps your take away curry hot on the way home.

Richard, in my opinion did a really professional thorough job, advising on cost/ time (he charges £30 an hour), talked me through all the work and showed me what he had done. He has all the specialist equipment and clearly takes a real pride in his work. Now that he has sussed out Townace's I would recommend him for any work on your aircon, be it a system check up for £30, a standard service for £60 or a premier service for £75 (plus filter dryer).

After an initial disapointment it is great when someone with real expertise takes the time and care to sort it properly. Give him a ring.

Russell

- (#8785) Russell Wright, 27 May 03 13:12

Really pleasing to hear of someone doing the job properly, fully explaining to you what he has done, then not overcharging you, in fact I would say that he has undercharged you really, but don't tell him that. On another note, if he wants a supply of the receiver/dryers then I can sell them to him at around £45 each, rather better than the Toyota price. But despite this he really does sound excellent Valle for money.
Regards Rob.

- (#8786) Rob Drinkwater, 27 May 03 14:41