Automotive Air Conditioning is designed to remove unwelcome '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 while it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the expansion valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a collection of tubes to diffuse the heat and in the procedure the Freon gets cold.
By now it is clear that the most vital component, in the rather complicated 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 tubing to the dash area in your car to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat needs to be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' resembling a small radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the single difference being there isn't any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold unlike the radiator which is always hot.
A tiny 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 the help of 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 aluminium and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electrical cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser removes the heat. The cycle is repeated steadily 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 interesting to see what all probably could go screwy and the way to cure them. Some of the most common of such issues include:
- Low or total lack of air circulation across the condenser- this should be due to Problems with the electrical cooling fan. Check to determine if this is turning (in models with fan blades visible) or if not sure you should call your mechanic
- Low Freon level - this could be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the car AC totally ON there's very tiny cooling inside. This problem could only be attended by an authorized AC technician.
- 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 common huge fan or engine is overheating due to other Problems and cuts down the condenser potency. In all cases reach for the telephone and call your garage, before you have more major issues with your car.
- If the air conditioner doesn't begin at all check and confirm that there's blown fuse or the switch isn't disconnected while cleaning for example. Electric 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 components like compressor, get it from the OEM and check the refrigerant is the right one. (R12 is being Retired)
It should be borne under consideration that the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance famous for its adverse impact on the environment due to 'ozone layer depletion'. In addition, the substance is responsible to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and tamper with the auto air con system and inadvertently lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have little 'user serviceable ' parts or elements and require the help of a certified and certified mechanic.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt in spite of the rest plausibly fine, do not desist from looking for professional help from qualified personnel. It could be opportune to say 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 permitted to use R12, but has to switch to R134A or similar environment safe refrigerants as per the Montreal Protocol and directives by the EPA. Some vehicle makers have recently started promoting retro-fit kits and if or when your car desires servicing or repairing of AC, check if you are still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
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 while it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the expansion valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a collection of tubes to diffuse the heat and in the procedure the Freon gets cold.
By now it is clear that the most vital component, in the rather complicated 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 tubing to the dash area in your car to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat needs to be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' resembling a small radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the single difference being there isn't any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold unlike the radiator which is always hot.
A tiny 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 the help of 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 aluminium and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electrical cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser removes the heat. The cycle is repeated steadily 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 interesting to see what all probably could go screwy and the way to cure them. Some of the most common of such issues include:
- Low or total lack of air circulation across the condenser- this should be due to Problems with the electrical cooling fan. Check to determine if this is turning (in models with fan blades visible) or if not sure you should call your mechanic
- Low Freon level - this could be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the car AC totally ON there's very tiny cooling inside. This problem could only be attended by an authorized AC technician.
- 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 common huge fan or engine is overheating due to other Problems and cuts down the condenser potency. In all cases reach for the telephone and call your garage, before you have more major issues with your car.
- If the air conditioner doesn't begin at all check and confirm that there's blown fuse or the switch isn't disconnected while cleaning for example. Electric 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 components like compressor, get it from the OEM and check the refrigerant is the right one. (R12 is being Retired)
It should be borne under consideration that the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance famous for its adverse impact on the environment due to 'ozone layer depletion'. In addition, the substance is responsible to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and tamper with the auto air con system and inadvertently lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have little 'user serviceable ' parts or elements and require the help of a certified and certified mechanic.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt in spite of the rest plausibly fine, do not desist from looking for professional help from qualified personnel. It could be opportune to say 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 permitted to use R12, but has to switch to R134A or similar environment safe refrigerants as per the Montreal Protocol and directives by the EPA. Some vehicle makers have recently started promoting retro-fit kits and if or when your car desires servicing or repairing of AC, check if you are still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
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