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Car Service in Geebung
For friendly car service from a trusted independent mechanic you can rely on the team at Allautos Advanced Tuning
Read moreFaulty Car Air Conditioning System issues
Firstly, how does a car air conditioning system work?
A car's air conditioning operates on a simple principle of cooling and heating, employing a multi-step process. When the system is activated, the compressor pressurises the refrigerant, turning it from a low-pressure gas into a high-pressure liquid. This liquid refrigerant then flows into the condenser, where heat is released, causing the refrigerant to cool down and return to its gaseous state. This cooled gas then circulates through the evaporator, where air from the car's interior is passed over it, lowering the air temperature. A blower fan then circulates the cooled air into the car cabin. This continuous cycle of transformation maintains the interior temperature of the car according to user preference.
These 3 issues cause a Faulty A/C
Your car's air conditioning system may encounter several typical issues such as leakage, blockage, and compressor malfunction.
1. Leakage: This occurs when the refrigerant in your AC system escapes through small leaks in the equipment, causing a decline in its functionality. Detecting these leaks is often tricky and may require the assistance of a professional.
2. Blockage: Your AC system may become blocked due to dust or debris. A clogged filter not only hinders the system's effectiveness but could also cause other components of the system to fail.
3. Compressor Malfunction: The compressor plays a crucial role in your AC system, circulating refrigerant throughout it. Therefore, if it fails, your car's AC system will not be able to cool the vehicle effectively.
What is refrigerant?
A refrigerant is a compound present in either a fluid or gaseous state that absorbs heat from the environment and provides refrigeration or air conditioning when combined with other components such as compressors and evaporators. In a car's AC system, it's used to remove heat from the interior of the vehicle and dispel it to the outside atmosphere, thus cooling down the car's interior.
Call Allautos Advanced Tuning if you have any concerns about your car's air con. We inspect the status of the rubber seals for any leakage, pressure test and look for any indications or problems that could suggest a refrigerant loss or equipment failure with every service.
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Your vehicle ought to be taken to a reputable workshop such as Allautos Advanced Tuning regularly to make sure the air conditioning system continues performing efficiently as well as having the mechanics examine the condition of the entire car.
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 Allautos Advanced Tuning.
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 Allautos Advanced Tuning. 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 Allautos Advanced Tuning, 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.
