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It is getting hot, hot, hot! The days
of waiting for the inside of our vehicles to cool down to make the
commute to work, home, school, etc. are here. Below is a great article
that will help to educate you on the proper maintenance for your
vehicles air conditioning. If you are experiencing any problems with
your air conditioning system you can speak to any of our ASE Certified
Technicians at Nick's Precision Automotive by calling 203-366-4775 or by
emailing me personally at
nick@nicksautomotive.com.
Seven Vital Facts About Your Car’s Air
Conditioning System
By Steve Magill
Air conditioning, which was once a great luxury, is now a common feature
on most motor vehicles. While the servicing of modern car air
conditioning systems is best left to professionals, you can get the most
enjoyment from your ac system if you know a bit about how it works and
what malfunctions you should be on the lookout for.
1. Odd smells coming from the air conditioning may
be caused by bacterial buildups
As your car becomes older, or when the air conditioning system is used
infrequently, bacteria, micro-organisms, mold and fungi may start
growing, just behind the dash panel on the evaporator causing some very
unpleasant odors. Some even claim this can result in headaches and flu
like symptom sometimes referred to as “sick car syndrome.”
This problem can be solved by using an anti-bacterial treatment that
destroys the bacteria growth and leaves your car smelling fresh again.
2. If you car does not feel cold enough, then you
may need to recharge your system
If you feel that your car doesn’t feel as cold as your friend’s car,
then your system may need servicing. The air conditioning system in your
vehicle is not usually covered by most manufacturers servicing schedules
and the refrigerant gas that is used to operate the system depletes over
time. On average most vehicles lose up to 15% per annum. This leakage
can be caused when then system is not used during the winter months.
Thus allowing the small “O” ring seals to dry out resulting in a gradual
deterioration in system performance. If this continues, eventually the
system will not be able to operate at all.
Most problems of this type can be put right fairly easily by a leak
check of your system followed by a complete refill of your air
conditioning refrigerant, this is sometimes referred to as a re-gas.
3. Running your air conditioning year round will
help maintain the system
If you run the air conditioning in the winter it will help to keep the
system well lubricated and leak tight. This is because the refrigerant
actually carries the oil that lubricates the system and most importantly
the compressor. It also keeps the seals and hoses moist, thus preventing
them from drying out and cracking which can lead to leaks.
4. Strange noises coming from the air conditioning
should be attended to immediately
If your air-con system suddenly starts making noises you have not heard
before it is very advisable to have a qualified vehicle air conditioning
specialist to have a look at it.
Some noises could be early symptoms of a compressor failure (the
compressor is the air conditioning pump).The compressor is usually the
most expensive part on the system ranging from approximately £230 to
£600+ and if the bearings in your compressor break down or if the
compressor seizes up it also means that other components can become
contaminated with metal particles A flush of the system would then be
needed as well as replacement of the compressor, the receiver/drier and
the expansion valve - quite a hefty bill!
5. Don’t worry about a pool of water forming under
your car after using the A/C
If you see a puddle of water on the ground, usually under the passenger
area don’t be alarmed. This is a normal feature of the system as it is
only water dripping from the air conditioning evaporator. The evaporator
has a drain tube fitted to allow the condensation from the evaporator to
drain away from the vehicle.
6. Excessive moisture inside the car can be fixed
easily
Sometimes the drain tube from the evaporator may become blocked or
detached allowing the condensation to build up inside your evaporator.
If this occurs water will just build up inside your car to a point where
there are damp carpets or misting / high humidity type problems. These
problems can be solved with low-cost servicing.
7. Have your air conditioning serviced regularly,
even if there are no visible problems
Just as the other systems of your car need servicing on a regular basis,
the same is true for the air conditioning system. The compressor needs
oil, or else it will seize up. The filter collects debris and moisture.
If the filter becomes blocked, then the performance of the system will
deteriorate and it can even quit working entirely (probably when you
need it most!)
Normally the refrigerant gas in a car air conditioning system has to be
recharged completely within four years from the manufacture date and
thereafter every two to three years.
If you have
any questions or comments, you can email me at
nick@nicksautomotive.com
or request an appointment
here.
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