Automotive Air Conditioning is designed to remove unwanted 'heat ' from inside, dehumidify the cabin atmosphere and supply cool air for the comfort of the occupants.
Each aircon system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and disperse the refrigerant liquid like Freon. The liquid is pressurized by the compressor and although it takes the heat from the air it vaporizes in the enlargement valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a sequence of tubes to disperse the heat and in the process the Freon gets cold.
By this time it is clear that the most important component, in the rather complicated layout verbally noted above, is the compressor which is the same as 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 automobile to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat needs to be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' looking a little like a tiny radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the one and only difference being there is no 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 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 aluminum 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 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's going to be interesting to see what all presumably could go screwy and the way to cure them. Some of the commonest of such issues include:
- Low or total absence of air movement across the condenser- this should be due to Problems with the electrical cooling fan. Check to confirm if this is turning (in models with fan blades detectable) or if undecided you must call your technician
- Low Freon level - this may be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the automobile AC totally ON there's very little cooling inside. That issue could only be attended by a certified AC mechanic.
- AC is working in full , but cooling is poor and engine is overheating this happens in models where there aren't any separate fans for condenser and radiator, which shares a standard large fan or engine is overheating due to other issues and cuts down the condenser efficiency. In both cases reach for the telephone and call your garage, before you have got 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 etc. Electrical connections can be often the culprit, which can sometimes be found out with a little experience.
- If your car requires a complete change or replacing of major parts like compressor, get it from the OEM and check that the refrigerant is the correct one. (R12 is being Phased Out)
It should be borne under consideration the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance famous for its adverse result 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 to tamper with the automobile air conditioning system and inadvertently lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have very little 'user serviceable ' parts or elements and require the assistance of a certified and certified technician.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt despite the rest allegedly fine, don't refrain from looking for pro help from qualified personnel. It may be opportune to say here that old models of autos using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to continue to replace the banned substance.
No new vehicles are allowed to use R12, but has to change to R134A or similar environment friendly refrigerants as laid out in the Montreal Protocol and directives by the EPA. Some auto makers have already started marketing retro-fit kits and if and when your automobile desires servicing or repair of AC, check if you are still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
Each aircon system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and disperse the refrigerant liquid like Freon. The liquid is pressurized by the compressor and although it takes the heat from the air it vaporizes in the enlargement valve and the 'hot ' gas is circulated through a sequence of tubes to disperse the heat and in the process the Freon gets cold.
By this time it is clear that the most important component, in the rather complicated layout verbally noted above, is the compressor which is the same as 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 automobile to the 'evaporator zone'.
This where the heat needs to be removed from and has an 'evaporator core ' looking a little like a tiny radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the one and only difference being there is no 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 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 aluminum 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 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's going to be interesting to see what all presumably could go screwy and the way to cure them. Some of the commonest of such issues include:
- Low or total absence of air movement across the condenser- this should be due to Problems with the electrical cooling fan. Check to confirm if this is turning (in models with fan blades detectable) or if undecided you must call your technician
- Low Freon level - this may be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the automobile AC totally ON there's very little cooling inside. That issue could only be attended by a certified AC mechanic.
- AC is working in full , but cooling is poor and engine is overheating this happens in models where there aren't any separate fans for condenser and radiator, which shares a standard large fan or engine is overheating due to other issues and cuts down the condenser efficiency. In both cases reach for the telephone and call your garage, before you have got 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 etc. Electrical connections can be often the culprit, which can sometimes be found out with a little experience.
- If your car requires a complete change or replacing of major parts like compressor, get it from the OEM and check that the refrigerant is the correct one. (R12 is being Phased Out)
It should be borne under consideration the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance famous for its adverse result 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 to tamper with the automobile air conditioning system and inadvertently lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have very little 'user serviceable ' parts or elements and require the assistance of a certified and certified technician.
Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt despite the rest allegedly fine, don't refrain from looking for pro help from qualified personnel. It may be opportune to say here that old models of autos using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to continue to replace the banned substance.
No new vehicles are allowed to use R12, but has to change to R134A or similar environment friendly refrigerants as laid out in the Montreal Protocol and directives by the EPA. Some auto makers have already started marketing retro-fit kits and if and when your automobile desires servicing or repair of AC, check if you are still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to approved refrigerants Asap.
About the Author:
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