We all want the ultimate cold to come out of our vents; especially when it comes to surviving in the hot concrete jungle. When the air conditioning system kicks in on those hot, sweaty days, it's something we all appreciate. But believe it or not, there is no ice machine inside (but at one time ice was used to cool the rides). In fact, the cold air generated by your air conditioning system is actually warm air with hot gases removed in a multi-stage process.
Introduction
It's really thermodynamics but we're not going to go there. The Cliff's Note version is simply about changes in pressure causing changes in temperature. Turn on the air conditioning and the compressor compresses the system's refrigerant (Freon), increasing its temperature. It loses heat as it passes through the condenser (that second radiator that looks like a radiator in front of the radiator). It passes through the receiver/dryer where contaminants and moisture are removed, then to the expander/accumulator where the refrigerant is slowed down even further, causing it to lose pressure and temperature before reaching the evaporator. The evaporator is like a mini radiator (not to be confused with the heater radiator - they are two separate things) inside your vehicle's dashboard that cools by further lowering the temperature of the refrigerant and, in addition, removes humidity from the air.
The ventilation system's blower motor blows air over the cold evaporator and pushes cool air into the cabin. Complicated, but aaaaaaaaah it’s refreshing!
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY AIR CONDITIONING BE INSPECTED?
You told us. How does the air feel in your ride? Are you refreshed and cooled with full airflow when your air conditioning pumps? Well, if you answered, “Yes, I'm as cool as a cucumber,” you can cross the air conditioning inspection off your list.
For all the “No” respondents: do you fall on the “my air conditioning is not cold enough” side or the “it takes too long to cool” side? Don't sweat, stop for an A/C performance check and we'll have you riding those hot summer streets again, cooler than ever. So relax, your air conditioning is just an inspection away from cooler days.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO “CHARGE” MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM?
Only when the cool breeze isn't as cold as you remember it. Quite simple. However, it is true that a well-maintained air conditioning system can last its entire life without needing to be recharged. But that’s if you’re extremely lucky.
If you start to notice that your air conditioning is not reaching these cooling temperatures, have your system inspected. In this situation, most cars will run out of freon. And because air conditioning is a sealed system, low freon is a big sign that something is wrong. It could be a small leak that needs attention or maybe part of the air conditioning is broken – bring it in and we'll perform an air conditioning performance check and get to the root of the problem . We will take you back to cruise again with a pleasant and cool breeze.
WHAT IS REFRIGERANT?
Commonly called Freon, the trade name for DuPont, the most common freons are R-12, R-134A and soon HFO-1234yf. Freon is quite similar to engine oil and radiator coolant in that it is a working fluid designed for a specific system; In this case, your car's air conditioning system.
Refrigerant is a mixture specially formulated for the sole purpose of transforming hot air into cold air. It does this by absorbing and releasing heat, ultimately leaving cool air behind.
Different appliances, such as the home refrigerator, home air conditioning system, or your vehicle, may use different types of refrigerants. They may or may not be the same. Now that you know what cools cars, homes, and meat lockers, turn this baby up and marvel as your air conditioning turns stale hot air into your own personal cooler .
WHAT EXACTLY IS FREON?
Looks like a lesson in the history of automotive air conditioning is in order. Well, welcome, pull up a chair and put on your thinking cap.
Freon, better known as R-12, was the primary chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) used in car air conditioning systems until it was banned in the mid-1990s after the EPA discovered that it was depleting our planet's ozone layer. Talk about toxic.
The automotive industry has since switched to R-134a, which is CFC-free. Since the elimination of CFCs from the automotive industry – and all industries for that matter – the ozone layer has regained its structure, and the ozone holes caused by CFCs are expected to completely fill in by around 2050 , according to the EPA.
Did you know? Fortunately, the CFC ban also marked the end of the CFC-based hairspray craze that swept the country in the '70s and '80s. For many people, this change was a welcome step forward in hair culture American.
WHAT IS THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL? (R-12)
No, this is not a treatise you learned in history class. The Montreal Protocol is actually the official title for banning R-12 (Freon) and other CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) emitting products from further use anywhere on the planet. And for good reason: CFCs have been found to dig huge holes in our ozone layer.
The Montreal Protocol was first enacted in 1987. While the entire industrial world adheres to environmental standards intended to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting gases (in force in the United States since 1996), the ozone layer is expected to fully recover by 2050.
The Montreal Protocol is the reason we now use R-134a instead of the ozone-depleting R-12. Starting in 2013, some U.S. vehicle models will begin switching to an even more efficient and safer coolant called HFO-1234yf. Talk about a mouthful. HFO-1234yf would have virtually no impact on the environment. And that's something we can all hope for.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN R-134A AND R-12?
We can say that the difference is so great that it spared the fate of the entire planet. Not to dig too deep into your psyche, but after discovering that R-12 and a whole host of products containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were destroying the ozone layer, environmental scientists immediately began working on a ozone-free alternative cooling agent. depleting CFCs. This formula is R-134a: the standard refrigerant and the only one allowed in automotive air conditioning systems today.
R-134a, although safer, is not perfect:
Starting in 2013, R-134a was replaced by a new formula, HFO-1234yf, available on certain American car models. HFO-1234yf is the cleanest and safest refrigerant available today. And what's even more important is that it has been studied and certified as having no impact on the environment. You're talking about a big advancement in air conditioning technology that will help protect our planet for everyone who hits the open roads for many years to come.
BUT WHY REPLACE R-134A?
Well, although R-134a was designed with the ozone layer in mind, it is still made of chemicals that can harm the environment if they escape from your air conditioning system or if they are disposed of inappropriately. With this in mind, international environmental scientists knew that an even safer air conditioning refrigerant was waiting to be formulated.
HFO-1234yf is becoming the standard refrigerant:
- It has been tested and found to leave virtually no impact on the environment.
- If your air conditioning system is leaking, there is no longer an environmental problem.
- It's about future generations of drivers.
HOW MANY PARTS ARE IN A CAR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM?
Your air conditioning system is made up of five main components, all of which work together to cool you and all your passengers.
Most air conditioning systems are built with:
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Receiver or accumulator dryer
- Orifice tube or regulator
- Evaporator
Your air conditioning system also includes refrigerant charging pipes and ports, but the important work happens in the five parts listed above. You can learn more about each part that makes up your air conditioning system by starting with the following question. Cool.
WHAT IS THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR?
The compressor is the central and main element of any air conditioning system. If you want to stay cool, a working compressor is essential. We've seen people try to create cold air without having one. Trust us, it doesn't work.
The compressor:
- Pressurizes the refrigerant that cools your air.
- Senses temperature changes: Compressors monitor and control outlet temperature with an electrically operated clutch. This clutch turns on and off whenever you change the temperature, choose a different airflow setting, or simply when the outside air temperature decreases or increases.
- Powered by the Serpentine Belt: This belt wound under your hood is responsible for powering many crucial components, including your air conditioning compressor.
Signs of a Worn Compressor: Oil or Freon leaks, noise, and erratic or no operation are indications that a compressor may need to be replaced. We can inspect your car for leaks using dyes and special refrigerant detection devices. You may not be able to see a leak, but our equipment, sometimes called a "sniffer," can detect (or sniff) a chemical leak even if no liquid is visible. Yes, you can say we are quite advanced here.
WHAT IS AN AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER?
Consider it the master of turning hot refrigerant gases into liquid. The condenser is mounted on the front of most vehicles, usually in front of the radiator. Air passes through the condenser, transforming the hot refrigerant gas into a condensed, cooler liquid refrigerant.
An air conditioning condenser is:
- Found in front of the radiator and often called a mini radiator
- The main refrigerant cooler. And still champion. The condenser radiates the hot refrigerant gases that entered through the compressor, reducing its temperature and pressure, turning them into a liquid that travels to the A/C dryer.
Signs of a worn condenser:
- Leaks
- Clogged, corroded or damaged fins or tubes
- Poor air conditioning performance
WHAT IS A RECEIVER/DRYER?
The receiver or dryer is found on vehicles equipped with a thermal expansion valve. It is the safety net responsible for preventing all debris, moisture and harmful liquids from reaching the compressor and other vital air conditioning parts.
The roles of the receiver/dryer:
- Separates gas from liquid. If the liquid is not contained in the dryer, it can enter and destroy your compressor (compressors are not designed to handle liquids. Only gas).
- Eliminates humidity. To retain moisture, a desiccant is used. The desiccant is similar to the moisture-proof packets found in the packaging of new electronic devices.
- Filters contaminants. No one wants a contaminated air conditioning system. Contaminants can cause accelerated wear of parts and damaging corrosion.
Quick fact: If there is moisture in your compressor, it can mix with the refrigerant and create very harmful corrosive acids.
Symptoms of a Worn Receiver/Dryer:
- Poor air conditioner performance
- Moisture on glass and/or failure of defroster to remove moisture from glass and windows
The receiver/dryer should be replaced in the following situations:
- Any time the air conditioning system is opened for repair, the receiver/dryer will need to be replaced.
- Whenever a technician has determined that moisture or debris has permanently damaged the performance of your receiver/dryer.
WHAT IS AN ACCUMULATOR?
An accumulator is similar to a receiver-dryer but is only found on vehicles equipped with an orifice tube. If you have an accumulator, this means that you do not have a thermal expansion valve.
The accumulator:
- Monitors and controls the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator.
- Stores excess refrigerant so it cannot enter and damage the compressor.
- Filters debris and removes moisture from the air conditioning system.
When to replace the accumulator:
- Every time the air conditioning system is opened for repair, the accumulator will need to be replaced.
- Anytime a technician determines that moisture or debris has permanently damaged your battery's performance.
WHAT IS A THERMAL EXPANSION/ORIFICE TUBE?
The orifice tube or thermal expansion valve is located between the condenser and the evaporator. Its job is to continually monitor the pressure and temperature of your air conditioning system to determine the exact amount of refrigerant that can safely enter your evaporator. An orifice tube may also contain a fine mesh screen to block contaminants from the rest of the system.
Quick Fact: If too much or too little refrigerant gets into the evaporator, you could have a big problem on your hands. Proper operation of the thermal expansion valve or orifice tube is crucial to the proper operation of the air conditioning system.
Signs of a worn orifice tube or thermal expansion valve:
- Poor performance of the air conditioning system
- When a technician has determined that it has become dirty or clogged
WHAT IS AN EVAPORATOR?
The evaporator is responsible for cooling the air and removing humidity. If cold, refreshing air hits your face, your evaporator works like a champ.
The evaporator:
- Located just behind your dashboard. The evaporator is the last and most important stop before cold air hits your face.
- Cools the air with refrigerant. The low-pressure refrigerant passing through the evaporator absorbs heat from the cabin, thereby lowering the evaporator temperature. The air blown over the cool surface of the evaporator then exits through the vents, providing the cold you expect.
- Starts the flow of cold air. The best and last step. Cold air should now be blowing through your vents thanks to the hard work of the evaporator.
Symptoms of a worn evaporator:
- Poor performance of the air conditioning system
WHAT IS A COMPRESSOR CLUTCH?
Before the compressor starts, a special electromagnetic clutch, conveniently called a "compressor clutch", is required to engage and disengage the compressor cycle. The compressor clutch tells the compressor when to turn on or off so that the freon (refrigerant) is properly pressurized for use by the condenser which is then sent to the evaporator where cooling begins.
WHAT IS THE CLUTCH CYCLING SWITCH?
The clutch cycle switch senses and controls the temperature in the evaporator core to prevent it from freezing. Although most cars can blow air at temperatures as low as 60 degrees, temperatures inside the evaporator core can get cold enough to completely freeze the entire core. Not good! The job of the clutch cycle is to ensure that the temperature of the evaporator does not reach that of the glaciers.
Symptoms of a Failing Clutch Cycle Switch:
- The evaporator freezes
- The evaporator is not cooling enough
WHAT IS A REFRIGERANT CHARGING PORT?
This is where the magic happens. The refrigerant charge port is the connection point where new refrigerant can enter the system during an air conditioning system recharge. Your port is usually located on the larger air conditioning pipe, near or on the accumulator.
Caution: Only properly equipped and qualified persons should perform air conditioner charging services.
