Summer is here and you don’t want to run into trouble with your vehicle’s air conditioner. On a hot afternoon, this automobile component gives you cold and refreshing air to keep you and your passengers comfortable. Ideal Automotive often works on five common problems that many automotive AC systems experience. Here’s what they are and signs your vehicle might be suffering from them.
Too Much Moisture
How an air conditioner works, whether in your vehicle or home, is by drying out the air. An AC takes the hot air inside the cabin of your car, truck, or S or CUV and circulates it so that the heat in the air is forced outside. Once the heat is released, the air is cooled by refrigerant and circulated back into your vehicle. If moisture in the air is excessive, the AC might not be able to dry it out sufficiently to cool it.
Disgusting Smells
Another common problem in vehicle air conditioners is an unpleasant, musty odor. This odor is caused by bacterial or fungal growth in the AC. Micro-organisms can also grow in the system and cause unpleasant odors when the AC is running. Any of these things can be harmful, and they can make you and your passengers sick if the air conditioner and ventilation are not cleaned to remove the growth.
Insufficient Refrigerant
As mentioned briefly above, part of how your automobile’s air-conditioning system cools the air is by using refrigerant. If the refrigerant in the system is low, you will notice warmer air blowing through the vents. The most common reasons why an air-conditioning system loses refrigerant are evaporation and leaks. To avoid low refrigerant levels, have your car’s AC system inspected and serviced annually.
Dirty Condenser
Very briefly, your vehicle’s AC compressor releases refrigerant vapors that are cooled by the condenser. If the condenser is dirty, grimy, or clogged in any way, it will not be able to cool the vapors effectively. The condenser should be cleaned regularly to ensure it doesn’t get clogged with dirt and grime, which are unavoidable in a vehicle’s engine. This, too, can be done during an annual service visit.
Broken-Down Parts
Finally, mechanical parts break down eventually and there’s nothing you can do to avoid that. In your vehicle’s AC, the belts and hoses can wear down and break or leak, the condenser or compressor can break down, the blower motor can die, or the entire system can shut down among other problems. We hate to say it again, but regular inspection and maintenance can find worn down parts and replace them before they become a huge problem.
Let by Ideal Automotive in Blaine, MN, check your AC system for trouble. Call us to schedule an appointment.
