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eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
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.
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. |
