Automotive Air Conditioning is designed to remove undesired 'heat ' from inside, dehumidify the cabin atmosphere and supply cool air for the comfort of the occupants.
Each air conditioning system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and vaporize the refrigerant liquid like Freon. The liquid is pressurised by the compressor and although it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the expansion valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a series of tubes to disperse the heat and in the midst the Freon gets cold.
By now it is clear that the most important element, in the rather complex layout verbally listed above, is the compressor which is like the heart in your body and the Freon is like blood. Initially cold Freon is passed through metal tubes to the dash area in your automobile to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat should be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' looking a bit like a miniature radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the single difference being there isn't any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold in contrast to the radiator which is always hot.
A small fan or blower, which is controlled for its speed and volume of air delivery from your cabin, fitted behind the evaporator blows the air thru the evaporator grills and into your cabin. Freon soaks up 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 thru rubber and metal tubes and the condenser has coils of aluminum and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electric cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser takes away the heat. The cycle is repeated continuously so that 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 bad and how to remedy them. Some of the most typical of such issues include:
- Low or total shortage of air movement across the condenser- this may be due to Problems with the electric cooling fan. Check to determine if this is turning (in models with fan blades visible) or if undecided you should call your technician
- Low Freon level - this could be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the car AC fully ON there's very little cooling inside. This issue could only be attended by an authorized AC mechanic.
- AC is working totally 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 typical 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 heavy problems with your automobile.
- If the air conditioner doesn't begin at all check and confirm that there's blown fuse or the switch is not disconnected while cleaning for example. Electrical connections can be regularly the culprit, which can sometimes be found out with a little experience.
- If your vehicle requires a complete change or replacing of major parts like compressor, get it from the OEM and check that 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 renowned for its unfavorable impact on the environment due to 'ozone layer depletion'. Additionally, the substance is responsible to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and meddle with the car air conditioning system and accidentally lets it leak. In short automobile air conditioners have little 'user serviceable ' parts or components and need the help of a qualified and certificated engineer.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt despite everything else plausibly fine, don't refrain from looking for pro help from qualified personnel. It may be opportune to mention here that old models of vehicles using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to restore the banned substance.
No new cars are able to use R12, but has to switch to R134A or similar environmentally safe refrigerants as per the Montreal Custom and directives by the EPA. Some auto makers have already started promoting retro-fit kits and if your automobile wishes servicing or repair of AC, check if you're still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
By Sean Wright.
Each air conditioning system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and vaporize the refrigerant liquid like Freon. The liquid is pressurised by the compressor and although it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the expansion valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a series of tubes to disperse the heat and in the midst the Freon gets cold.
By now it is clear that the most important element, in the rather complex layout verbally listed above, is the compressor which is like the heart in your body and the Freon is like blood. Initially cold Freon is passed through metal tubes to the dash area in your automobile to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat should be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' looking a bit like a miniature radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the single difference being there isn't any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold in contrast to the radiator which is always hot.
A small fan or blower, which is controlled for its speed and volume of air delivery from your cabin, fitted behind the evaporator blows the air thru the evaporator grills and into your cabin. Freon soaks up 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 thru rubber and metal tubes and the condenser has coils of aluminum and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electric cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser takes away the heat. The cycle is repeated continuously so that 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 bad and how to remedy them. Some of the most typical of such issues include:
- Low or total shortage of air movement across the condenser- this may be due to Problems with the electric cooling fan. Check to determine if this is turning (in models with fan blades visible) or if undecided you should call your technician
- Low Freon level - this could be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the car AC fully ON there's very little cooling inside. This issue could only be attended by an authorized AC mechanic.
- AC is working totally 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 typical 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 heavy problems with your automobile.
- If the air conditioner doesn't begin at all check and confirm that there's blown fuse or the switch is not disconnected while cleaning for example. Electrical connections can be regularly the culprit, which can sometimes be found out with a little experience.
- If your vehicle requires a complete change or replacing of major parts like compressor, get it from the OEM and check that 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 renowned for its unfavorable impact on the environment due to 'ozone layer depletion'. Additionally, the substance is responsible to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and meddle with the car air conditioning system and accidentally lets it leak. In short automobile air conditioners have little 'user serviceable ' parts or components and need the help of a qualified and certificated engineer.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt despite everything else plausibly fine, don't refrain from looking for pro help from qualified personnel. It may be opportune to mention here that old models of vehicles using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to restore the banned substance.
No new cars are able to use R12, but has to switch to R134A or similar environmentally safe refrigerants as per the Montreal Custom and directives by the EPA. Some auto makers have already started promoting retro-fit kits and if your automobile wishes servicing or repair 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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