Automotive Air Conditioning is built to remove unwanted 'heat ' from inside, dehumidify the cabin atmosphere and supply cool air for the comfort of the occupants.
Every air conditioning system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and vaporize the refrigerant liquid like Freon. The liquid is pressurized by the compressor and even though it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the growth valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a series of tubes to diffuse the heat and in the procedure the Freon gets cold.
By now it is clear that the most significant element, in the rather complex layout verbally noted above, is the compressor which is like the heart in your body and the Freon is like blood. At first cold Freon is passed through metal tubing to the dash area in your automobile to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat needs to be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' looking a bit like a small radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the single difference being there is not any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold in contrast to the radiator which is always hot.
A little fan or blower, which is controlled for its speed and volume of air delivery from your cabin, fitted behind the evaporator blows the air through the evaporator grills and into your cabin. Freon absorbs the heat from the cabin with assistance from the 'condenser ' fitted in the front next to the radiator.
Freon circulating back from the cabin carries the heat through rubber and metal tubes and the condenser has coils of aluminium and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electrical cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser takes away the heat. The cycle is repeated continuously so the atmosphere in the cabin remains cool.
After having been familiarized with how your automotive air conditioning works and what its major elements are, it will be fascinating to see what all presumably could go wrong and how to remedy them. Some of the most typical of such issues include:
- Low or total lack of air flow across the condenser- this may be due to issues with the electric cooling fan. Check to see if this is turning (in models with fan blades perceivable) or if unsure you must call your mechanic
- Low Freon level - this could be doubted if the cooling efficiency is low i.e, even with the auto AC totally ON there's very tiny cooling inside. That issue could only be attended by a certified AC mechanic.
- AC is working completely but cooling is poor and engine is overheating this occurs in models where there are no separate fans for condenser and radiator, which shares a standard huge fan or engine is overheating due to other Problems and cuts down the condenser potency. In both cases reach for the phone and call your garage, before you have got more major issues with your car.
- If the air conditioner does not begin at all check and confirm that there is blown fuse or the switch isn't disconnected while cleaning for example. Electrical connections can be regularly the guilty party, which can on occasion be found out with a little experience.
- If your vehicle requires a complete change or replacing of major elements like compressor, get it from the OEM and check the refrigerant is the proper one. (R12 is being Phased Out)
It should be borne in mind the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance famous for its unfavorable result on the environment due to 'ozone layer depletion'. Additionally, the substance is liable to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and interfere with the automobile air conditioning system and inadvertently lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have very little 'user serviceable ' parts or parts and need the help of a professional and certificated engineer.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt in spite of the rest seemingly fine, don't refrain from seeking pro help from qualified staff. It may be opportune to say here that old models of vehicles using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to replenish the banned substance.
No new cars are allowed to use R12, but has to change to R134A or similar environment safe refrigerants as per the Montreal Protocol and directives by the EPA. Some auto makers have already started promoting retro-fit kits and if your auto wishes servicing or fixing of AC, check if you're still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
By Sean Wright.
Every air conditioning system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and vaporize the refrigerant liquid like Freon. The liquid is pressurized by the compressor and even though it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the growth valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a series of tubes to diffuse the heat and in the procedure the Freon gets cold.
By now it is clear that the most significant element, in the rather complex layout verbally noted above, is the compressor which is like the heart in your body and the Freon is like blood. At first cold Freon is passed through metal tubing to the dash area in your automobile to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat needs to be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' looking a bit like a small radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the single difference being there is not any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold in contrast to the radiator which is always hot.
A little fan or blower, which is controlled for its speed and volume of air delivery from your cabin, fitted behind the evaporator blows the air through the evaporator grills and into your cabin. Freon absorbs the heat from the cabin with assistance from the 'condenser ' fitted in the front next to the radiator.
Freon circulating back from the cabin carries the heat through rubber and metal tubes and the condenser has coils of aluminium and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electrical cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser takes away the heat. The cycle is repeated continuously so the atmosphere in the cabin remains cool.
After having been familiarized with how your automotive air conditioning works and what its major elements are, it will be fascinating to see what all presumably could go wrong and how to remedy them. Some of the most typical of such issues include:
- Low or total lack of air flow across the condenser- this may be due to issues with the electric cooling fan. Check to see if this is turning (in models with fan blades perceivable) or if unsure you must call your mechanic
- Low Freon level - this could be doubted if the cooling efficiency is low i.e, even with the auto AC totally ON there's very tiny cooling inside. That issue could only be attended by a certified AC mechanic.
- AC is working completely but cooling is poor and engine is overheating this occurs in models where there are no separate fans for condenser and radiator, which shares a standard huge fan or engine is overheating due to other Problems and cuts down the condenser potency. In both cases reach for the phone and call your garage, before you have got more major issues with your car.
- If the air conditioner does not begin at all check and confirm that there is blown fuse or the switch isn't disconnected while cleaning for example. Electrical connections can be regularly the guilty party, which can on occasion be found out with a little experience.
- If your vehicle requires a complete change or replacing of major elements like compressor, get it from the OEM and check the refrigerant is the proper one. (R12 is being Phased Out)
It should be borne in mind the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance famous for its unfavorable result on the environment due to 'ozone layer depletion'. Additionally, the substance is liable to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and interfere with the automobile air conditioning system and inadvertently lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have very little 'user serviceable ' parts or parts and need the help of a professional and certificated engineer.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt in spite of the rest seemingly fine, don't refrain from seeking pro help from qualified staff. It may be opportune to say here that old models of vehicles using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to replenish the banned substance.
No new cars are allowed to use R12, but has to change to R134A or similar environment safe refrigerants as per the Montreal Protocol and directives by the EPA. Some auto makers have already started promoting retro-fit kits and if your auto wishes servicing or fixing of AC, check if you're still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
By Sean Wright.
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