Common Car Aircon FAQ’s
The cost of your car air conditioning repair is dependent on the issues and how extensive they are. They can range from a simple repair of under $500 to replacing the entire system for thousands of dollars. An expert technician will be able to review, check, and give you an idea to the extent of repairs needed on the air conditioning unit.
At Automotive Hospital, our technicians are skilled and knowledgeable on air conditioning repairs for a range of makes and models. Bring your car in for an inspection today!
Most automobile air conditioners are comprised of five major parts:
- Refrigerant – carries the heat
- Compressor – draws in the refrigerant, compresses it, and moves it along
- Condenser – expels the heat
- Expansion valve – nozzle that regulates the refrigerant’s flow
- Drier/Evaporator – cools the car by blowing hot interior air across the refrigerant
Before repairing anything on your air conditioning unit, your technician should check all the hoses, belts, and connections. Then, they should top off the system with fresh refrigerant. Sometimes they will include a dye in the refrigerant to check for leaks.
Repairs will usually involve locating and stopping any leaks. Some leaks are so small that it can take some time and several attempts to locate a slow leak in a hard-to-reach area.
Adding an entirely new air conditioning unit is much more challenging. It requires cutting through the firewall, replacing the heater core, installing all the new under-hood components, modifying the dashboard, and adapting the existing ventilation controls. Adding a new unit is a lengthy process which is why the cost is so much more than just a small leak repair.
In most instances, hot air coming out of your air conditioning unit is a direct result of a loss of refrigerant in the system. Your AC unit is a heat exchanger that recirculates warm air from inside the cabin and replaces it with cold air. When the refrigerant is low, it lingers in the evaporator and is exposed to more hot air from the cabin. The refrigerant near the exit of the evaporated is then super-heated, but the moisture in the refrigerant entering the component starts to form ice crystals, which freeze up the entire system.
You will be fine as long as you do not want or need AC in your vehicle. By keeping the air conditioning turned off in your vehicle, it will not bother your car to have a bad AC compressor. However, if you want your air conditioning to work, you are going to need to get an AC unit repair to get your compressor functioning again.
Reach out to Automotive Hospital! We serve Syndey and the surrounding areas with specialised mechanics who are experts on a wide range of makes and models.
How do you know if your air conditioning is going down the drain? These are some sure signs that your air compressor is failing and needs to be replaced
- Cabin temperatures are higher than normal
- The compressor makes a loud noise when it is running
- The compressor clutch is not moving
There are a lot of factors that go into play when it comes to the airflow of your air conditioning in your vehicle. If you notice weak airflow it should be addressed immediately to avoid further AC problems. Some of the major culprits surrounding weak airflow include mold or mildew accumulation, a loose hose, the ventilation fan is fried, or any of the seals involved in the system coming loose and needing to be resealed.
Again, there are several factors that come into play for cooling off your vehicle. Going straight to a reputable source, such as Automotive Hospital, can mean the difference between a small repair or an entire AC replacement. However, here are some of the most common reasons for your lack of cold airflow:
- A freon leak caused by a failing o-ring, seal, hose or component
- A clogged expansion tube or refrigerant charging hose
- A failed compressor or clutch
- A failed blower motor resistor or failed blower motor
- A leak in the vacuum
- A failed switch, fuse, relay, blend door, or control module in the vehicle
There are a few reasons for your smelly AC unit. First, when is the last time you changed the air cabin filter? If your air cabin filter is old and dirty, it can create a foul smell in your cabin. Another reason you could be getting a bad smell is from a moldy evaporator case. Sometimes, water sits in the evaporator case because the drain is blocked, which can lead to mold.
Age and moisture are the culprits to your AC leak. Rubber seals and hoses lose their elasticity over time and breakdown, which allows Freon to escape and moisture to enter your AC unit.
If you suspect you have moisture issues in your AC unit, it is time to reach out to Automotive Hospital so we can help you repair your air conditioning system!