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Seven Vital Facts About Your Car's Air Conditioning System
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.
An annual servicing of your car's air conditioning system will
guard against malfunctions in the compressor and other vital
parts of the system. Regular maintenance will save you money in
the long run and guarantee you comfort in the hottest months.
About the author:
Steve Magill is the managing director of LVV Services Ltd.
http://www.lvvservices.com . Located in South Wales, LVV
Services specializes in Smart Repair of autos, including dent
removal, car diagnostics, paint repair, alloy wheel repair and
air conditioning services.