Summer’s coming, the sky will be blue (hopefully), the sun should be shining (if we’re lucky) and the inside of your car will probably be heating up. Time to switch on the air-conditioning.
But what if rather than an ice-cool breeze blowing through the vents, the air is as warm as it is outside?
Read our air-con trouble shooter to find out what may be wrong.
Page Contents
How Air Conditioning Works
To know what might be wrong with your air-con, you should know the basics of how it works. The heart of any air-conditioning system is the compressor.
This takes the refrigerant as a low pressure gas, compresses it to be high pressure and forces it out to the condenser. This condenses the gas back into a liquid, still under pressure. The refrigerant liquid is dried before moving through a valve to the evaporator.
Here it absorbs warm air from the cabin, turns back into a gas and returns to the compressor for the whole process to start again.
Air is Flowing but Doesn’t Feel Cold Enough
To work efficiently, an air-conditioning system needs plenty of refrigerant. This leaks out over time.
It’s estimated that on average a car loses between 10 and 15 per cent of its refrigerant ever year. This escapes through seals and microscopic holes and can get to the point where there’s insufficient refrigerant to cool the hot air.
Remember, the refrigerant is a gas as well as a liquid, hence the term ‘re-gassing’ when you have it recharged.
Cool Air Is Only Produced Every Now and Again
This intermittent air-con action could be caused by blockages. This can be from air and moisture in the system allowing ice to form which then blocks the pipes.
Alternatively, it could be an electrical problem.
Think of the compressor as a mini engine. The refrigerant carries the oil that’s its lubricant. To prevent damage, systems have sensors that tell the compressor not to switch on when the level of refrigerant is too low. Sometimes these sensors can be faulty.
Air Conditioning Isn’t Turning On
This could be a problem with the air-conditioning switch. But more likely it’s going to be a lack of refrigerant.
Alternatively, there are a variety of components around the compressor that could be causing the problem. Or the compressor itself could have failed.
You’ll be able to hear if the air-conditioning is switched on by parking on flat ground with the handbrake on.
Start the engine and turn the air-con onto max. Then open the bonnet. You should hear the revs rising and falling slightly and a clicking sound.
Top Tip
If you suspect a lack of refrigerant is the problem, it’s a good idea to have the system pressure tested for leaks. It’s a waste of money having it recharged if all that gas leaks away before you have time to use it.
Your Air-con Smells Bad
As car makers come under increasing pressure to produce more eco friendly cars, air-conditioning units are getting smaller to save weight and space. These smaller units are more efficient but provide a happy haven for bacteria to multiply in the evaporator.
And bacteria smells.
There’s not much you can do about this, other than to have the system professionally cleaned.
If you think your A/C unit would benefit from such a service, you can find an air-conditioning regas near you by using BookMyGarage today!
Book online today!
