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TEMP CLOSED due to Cyclone Alfred

Southeast Auto Mechanical take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 

Conveniently located in Beenleigh, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 

Southeast Auto have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

Southeast Auto Mechanical (AU065348) is your go-to choice for all your Car Air Conditioning Regas, Inspection, Repairs, or Servicing needs in Beenleigh and the surrounding areas. Modern cars are like intricate puzzles, and just like your engine, your car air conditioner has parts that need regular TLC to keep running smoothly and efficiently. When refrigerant leaks or evaporates, your air con system starts to struggle and has to work harder, which means more fuel consumption. So, it’s crucial to regularly check those rubber seals for any signs of leaks or issues that might be causing refrigerant loss. A little inspection goes a long way! Getting a car air conditioning service every 12 months can save you from costly breakdowns, keep passengers safe from harmful substances, and actually save you money on fuel. Who knew staying cool could be so beneficial? At Southeast Auto Mechanical, we care about the environment and offer top-notch vehicle air conditioner re-gas, repairs, service, or inspection with a licensed technician in Beenleigh. Have more questions about your car's air con? How do air conditioners work? A car air conditioner system is composed of four essential parts : A belt-driven pump known as a compressor to compress and circulate gas. A radiator like unit called a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid. An expansion device, which could be a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube (subject to the kind of air-con system used). Some systems have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator performs the same crucial task. Both of these parts also store refrigerant. Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the car's interior area and transfer it outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. Hot air is passed across a gas-filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car. The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to extract the refrigerant's heat quickly. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the refrigerant's flow to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the evaporator's cold fins produces the cold air being blown into the car, and the entire process then begins all over again. Does the car air conditioner use more fuel? Yes! Your car air conditioning is using fuel. However, it's actually more fuel efficient to run car air conditioning than it is to have your windows down due to aerodynamic drag. If your air conditioning isn't performing its best, it may use more fuel to run. To avoid this, it's important that you have your air conditioning serviced regularly by professionals, like the ones at Southeast Auto Mechanical.  What's the cause of the bad smell in car air conditioning? The damp environment can promote microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth inside the evaporator core. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, they have more fins, meaning an increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development. How do I know my car air conditioning is due for a service? If you cannot remember when your air conditioning was last serviced, perhaps it's time to book in with the team at Southeast Auto Mechanical. You should also book in if: Your air conditioning system is blowing warm air There are damp patches or water stains under your dashboard Your car air conditioning system smells funny Your car air conditioning system is making strange noises There is weak air flow from the car air conditioning system Why does the car air conditioner need to be serviced? Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the interior area of the car outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid. The compressor needs the right amount of oil in the refrigerant to prevent it from seizing up. Should the air filters be jammed with dirt and bacteria, it will affect the entire system's performance, and it can even cause it to stop working altogether. On top of inhibiting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause health problems. Being exposed to the elements and very diverse operating conditions and being used intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause decay of the hoses, connections and seals. A vehicle air conditioning system should be examined regularly to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points. Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the air filters get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time. It should be recharged as required to keep the air con system in peak running condition. How often should a car air conditioner be serviced? Your automotive air conditioning system needs to be examined once a year for any signs of problems with the seals, hoses and connections and confirm there is no refrigerant reduction over time. Regularly servicing your automotive air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard. This, in turn, protects the system from damage and minimises fuel expenditure. Can I service my own car air conditioner? Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training, like the ones at Southeast Auto Mechanical, should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where re-gas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing. Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if mishandled. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.

Keep your cool with less fuel this summer with an Air Conditioning Service in Beenleigh from Southeast Auto Mechanical …

Is keeping your cool costing you fuel?

Keep your cool, without global warming. A proactive car air conditioning approach to protecting our environment.  As Australia begins phasing down HFC use (from January 2018), many new vehicle manufacturers may be switching to new air conditioning systems using the more environmentally friendly refrigerant R-1234yf, instead of R-134a. The benefits of using R-1234yf "Twelve Thirty Four", as R-1234yf is sometimes known, is an HFO type refrigerant delivering high performance, resulting in a more efficient air-conditioning system, fewer emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFO's) have a double carbon bond meaning they trap less heat in the atmosphere than Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's) and break down faster. Importantly, R-1234yf systems are specifically engineered to prevent refrigerant leakage and loss, including into the interior of the vehicle. The leakage of refrigerants contributes considerably to greenhouse gases. Why the switch? Older type refrigerants accumulate in the upper atmosphere as greenhouse gases and contribute significantly to Global Warming for a considerable time. In the mid-'90s, the old R-12 (or Freon), which takes a long time to break down into a non-greenhouse gas, was replaced with R134a, which breaks down much quicker. R-1234yf takes that improvement to the next level, breaking down in less than half the time of R-134a (and a fraction of the time R-12 can take). R-134a will remain in use for some time and a licensed mechanic can still service R-134a air con systems, but new vehicles will likely use the new systems with R-1234yf. Some already are. Irrespective of what type of refrigerant your car air conditioner uses, a car service workshop undertaking air conditioner service must have the right knowledge and equipment to handle these gases responsibly. You should always take your car to a mechanic with the skills and specialist equipment to undertake air conditioning service safely and correctly.

There's a new gas in town

Trust, experience & knowledge ... You can rely on your Local and Independent Repco Authorised Service centre, Southeast Auto Mechanical to service and repair your vehicle. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, Southeast Auto Mechanical use quality parts and lubricants and employ state of the art diagnostic equipment and repair methods. What’s more, our fully qualified technicians have access to the latest service information, bulletins and training through the Australia wide Repco Auto Tech program. We provide a full range of automotive services right here in Beenleigh and surrounding areas, all backed by our Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty and fully supported at over 500 Service Centres right across Australia. So rest assured - your car is in safe hands.

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we use quality parts and lubricants and employ state of the art diagnostic equipment and repair methods.

Southeast Auto Mechanical - Our expertise & knowledge

Modern radiator coolants not only protect your car from overheating, or the fluid from freezing, they also protect the radiator system from corrosion. Southeast Auto Mechanical in Beenleigh are very knowledgeable and experienced in looking after these systems.  It is recommended that you exchange your radiator coolant fluid every two years or 40,000 km's whichever comes first. However the size of the engine, the climate in your area, the age of your current coolant, and the total miles that have been driven can all affect the need to replace the coolant in your radiator. Knowing when to replenish your radiator fluid isn't always easy - obviously, when it has gone a dirty brown colour it's a sign it probably needs to be flushed and replaced - however even fresh-looking coolant could have lost its corrosion protection properties and without measuring its reserve alkalinity there's no signal that it is no longer protecting your vehicle components, and it could even be doing more damage than good. Maintaining good coolant means your radiator system will be much better protected from corrosion and will have a longer life span, it will help prevent you from having to replace expensive engine components. At Southeast Auto Mechanical in Beenleigh at your request, we will perform a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report for free as part of any minor, major or log book service. Part of this inspection includes checking the level and condition of coolant in your system and the written report will advise you if we feel a radiator flush, fluid replacement or any repairs are required to maintain the performance of your vehicle.

Even if it looks clean, your coolant still might need replacing!

Radiator Coolant

If everyone had to drive their vehicle without power steering we would all get places slower as the response time in the steering wheel would be slower and require more manpower. Thankfully, unless you are experiencing power steering issues, you do not have to feel like driving through mud. For repairs and regular maintenance in Brisbane, call us at Southeast Auto Mechanical! Why work with Southeast Auto Mechanical Quality Service: All of the work we perform on your vehicle is backed by the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty. Top Mechanics: Our team is passionate about what they do. Additionally, as part of the Repco family of authorised service centres our team receives ongoing training and service bulletins about the latest diagnostic equipment. Peace of Mind: We stand behind all of the work we do and ensure our customers the highest level of satisfaction. Power steering services offered at Southeast Auto Mechanical Steering Wheel Repair Power Steering Repair Steering Column Repair Flow Control Valve Repair Electric Actuator Replacement Rack and Pinion System Repair Glossary of power steering terms To help our clients and mechanics stay on the same page through the repair and maintenance process we have designed a glossary to help familiarise you with common parts of the power steering system: Electric Actuator: Computer with sensors placed on the torsion bar to send signals when the driver is in need of turning assistance. Flow Control Valve: Helps relieve pressure from the hydraulic cylinder. Rack and Pinion Steering: Backup system in case of power steering failure. For power steering emergencies as well as regular maintenance, call us at Southeast Auto Mechanical!

If everyone had to drive their vehicle without power steering we would all get places slower as the response time in the steering wheel would be slower and require more manpower.

Power Steering ain't what it used to be

Premium petrol is always best right? Wrong! Tired of paying too much for petrol? Did you know by choosing the correct type of fuel for your car you can save money and possibly extend the life of your car? Petrol is graded using the Research Octane Number or RON such as 91, 95, 98, 100 or even 103. The RON number ranks the fuels resistance to ‘pre-ignition' or firing before it should due to heat from the engine. Is a higher grade fuel better for my car? A higher number doesn't mean better quality - the grade is in reference to how much heat and pressure the fuel can resist before it detonates. Higher grades can withstand higher heat and pressure than lower grades. Why does it matter what grade of fuel I use? Petrol engines work by compressing a mixture of fuel and air and igniting it with a spark plug to generate power. If the ignition happens before the spark plug fires it creates a condition called “knock,” which can damage a motor and reduce power. Knocking is the sound made as the mix of fuel and air is detonating too early rather than burning smoothly for fuel - which means you aren't getting the very best from your car.. If your car is making any kind of knocking noise you should contact Southeast Auto Mechanical in Beenleigh today. How do I know what grade of petrol to use in my car? To see the best fuel for your car, read your car's manual or check the label on the inside of the fuel filler door. Usually high octane fuels are required by cars with performance engines or that are turbocharged. Remember, putting premium petrol in a car that doesn't actually need it doesn't mean you car will run better or faster, it will just drain your bank account that much faster! If you have more questions about your petrol intake or just want to check your cars fuel efficiency, have a chat with our specialist mechanics today, or book online!

Petrol is graded using the Research Octane Number or RON such as 91, 95, 98, 100 or even 103. The RON number ranks the fuels resistance to ‘pre-ignition' or firing before

Southeast Auto Mechanical

Cars are our passion.

Is keeping your cool costing you fuel?

There's a new gas in town

Southeast Auto Mechanical - Our expertise & knowledge

Radiator Coolant

Power Steering ain't what it used to be

Choosing the right fuel