Think of a situation where you turn on the air conditioner of your luxurious Skoda car in the middle of a hot and humid day and find out that it is blowing hot air or there is a typical groaning sound from the engine. Circumstances like these are really very frustrating when you want to save yourself from the sweltering heat outside. To ensure smooth accessibility to the best quality air of your car’s air conditioning system, it’s important that you take your “dearest possession” to a professional car servicing center for a thorough A/C checkup. Here, we have listed up few common reasons that cause malfunctioning of your car’s air conditioner:-
Bad Compressor – The compressor serves as the heart of the car’s air conditioner by pressurizing the refrigerant and pumping it throughout the A/C’s necessary components. There are a number of reasons that can cause the compressor to fail, but the most common one is a lubricant leak. The compressor’s mechanism operates in a delicate balance, relying on a small amount of lubrication to keep its parts moving fluidly. If a leak forms, the motor will be unable to run well, if it is able to run at all. This often results in a compressor seize, which is sometimes evidenced by a squealing sound coming from the drive belt. In turn, a seized compressor can damage or break the belt and pulleys. A worn-out compressor or one with internal problems will not develop normal operating pressures with a full charge of refrigerant. So, it is advisable to go for a regular car servicing and get the compressor checked.
Using the wrong type of compressor oil for the application or the wrong amount can also lead to premature wear and failure. There are various grades of PAG oil, and using the wrong grade can cause problems. Do tell the motor mechanic in the car servicing center to use the type of PAG oil specified by the compressor manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer. Use only the amount specified for the compressor. Adding too much oil can cause cooling problems. Mineral-based compressor oil is only recommended for older vehicles (pre-1995) with R-12 compressors, and should never be used with a compressor in an R-134 A/C system
Refrigerant Leak or Low Refrigerant – Low refrigerant (Freon, 134A) is the most common cause of an automotive A/C system blowing warm air. The refrigerant is used to transfer heat from the passenger compartment to the outside. If your car does not feel cold enough, then it is time to recharge your air conditioning system. Cars today hold considerably less refrigerant than cars of the past, so even small leaks can affect A/C performance within a short period of time. If you find oily residue on the compressor, evaporator, condenser and hoses orthe clutch on the compressor is not turning, then it is for certain that there is a refrigerant leak. Take your car to a reputed car servicing centre for a pressure test and get the leaks repaired in real-time.
Blocked and Dirty Condenser – The condenser is a part situated in front of the radiator which is responsible for cooling the high-pressure refrigerant’s vapor that comes out of the compressor. If any kind of dirt is present in the condenser, it would lead to airflow blockage, which would then provide no cooling. In such a case, cleaning the condenser in a renowned car servicing center would certainly resolve the problem.
See to it that the car mechanic is using a good quality flushing agent to clean the condenser because this would vaporize quickly without leaving residue in the system. If the condenser has been used for many years and is now giving frequent problems, it’s time to have it replaced by skilled motor mechanics. For proper working of the AC system, it’s recommended to periodically replace the accumulators, receiver driers, and the expansion valve.
Clogged Orifice Tubes – The orifice tube is located between the condenser and the evaporator in the passenger compartment. If there is an obstruction in that tube, it will prevent the refrigerant from reaching the evaporator, causing your car’s air conditioner to behave abnormally. At the time of car servicing, remind the auto mechanic to check these tubes thoroughly.
Air or moisture Contamination – This is the most common cause of car A/C malfunctioning. The A/C must not be contaminated with air or moisture. If it is, it will not be able to work efficiently. Air reduces the cooling efficiency of the system, while moisture can freeze and form ice that causes blockages in several parts of the system. Inform your car mechanic at the time of car servicing, to carry out vacuum cleaning before filling up the system with refrigerant.
The air conditioning systems used inside most cars are very complex and are made up of a system of interconnected components. Because of this complexity, it can be quite costly to have them repaired. More often than not, it is easier and less expensive to repair a car’s air conditioning system at the first sign of trouble, rather than ignoring the problem and allowing it to degenerate into a much more costly repair later on. It is better to take your vehicle to a car servicing center and to have the problem diagnosed by professionals.
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