A car air conditioning system can be classified into four basic parts - a compressor (Pump driven by the engine,) which compresses and circulates refrigerant gas, a radiator like unit called a condenser to remove heat and condense gas to a liquid, a heat exchanger called an evaporator to withdraw heat from the car and remove moisture from refrigerant and an expansion device usually a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube, (subject to the kind of a/c system used).

Your car air conditioner is designed to extract excess heat from the air within the interior area of the vehicle and relocate it to the exterior, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. As hot air is passed across the fins of the evaporator the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car and taking it outside.

The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression) to a very high temperature. The refrigerant is then literally forced through the condenser, allowing the cooler outside air to quickly extract the heat from the refrigerant as it is condensed to a liquid. The refrigerant then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the flow of refrigerant going to the evaporator. At this point the refrigerant expands back into a gas form and the entire process begins all over again.

 

A typical air conditioner service may include

• Assess air vent temperature

• Make sure condenser temperature is correct
  
  
• Assess suction line temperature
  
  
• Validate correct drive belt & pulley operation
  
  
• Ensure that valves and thermostats are operating correctly
  
  
• Clean the condenser fins
  
  
• Confirm adequate condition of of hoses and components
  
  
• Evacuation and recharge of refrigerant (where required)
  
  
• Check system lines and components for leaks with an electronic leak detector

Compressor seizure can be avoided by checking or changing the oil level in the refrigerant. Air filters obstructed with dirt and bacteria it will affect the performance of the entire system and it can even cause it to fail to work completely. Aside from impacting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause all kinds of health problems too.

A car air conditioner ought to be examined yearly for any signs of problems with the hoses, connections and seals and ensure refrigerant is not being lost over time. Regularly servicing your vehicle air conditioner keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard and this in turn protects the system from damage and reduces fuel usage.

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Your car air conditioner is designed to extract excess heat from the air within the interior area of the vehicle and send it to the exterior, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid.

Although it carries out its task in a similar way to a domestic refrigerator, there are still a number of significant differences. Being fixed to your car, the air conditioner unit is subject to an astronomical amount of movement and vibration in addition to having to function outdoors.

Being exposed to the mercy of the elements and very harsh operating temperatures and being in use intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause problems on the seals, hoses and connections A vehicle air conditioning system must be checked once a year as well as being fully serviced every two years to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points.

Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the filters of the air con get dirty. If the system is run infrequently, seals may dry and crack allowing them to leak and the air conditioning system can lose as much as 15% of its refrigerant in a single year. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually degrade or evaporate over time and should be recharged regularly to keep the air con system in peak running condition

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Under Australian law, only qualified mechanics with the appropriate licences are able to service or repair car air conditioning systems, especially where regas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling refrigerant, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.

Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if handled incorrectly. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, which can seriously damage the system.

You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.

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The damp environment inside the evaporator core can support the development of microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, but more fins equals increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.

Warragul Automotive mechanics will use specialist ultrasonic technology to take care of any micro-organisms that may be the source of bad odours or health concerns.

Just ask about our MIST service, which will kill any bacteria that may be lurking in your Car’s Air system. These bacteria can cause odours and even make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. A MIST service doesn’t just make your car smell better - it makes it healthier for you and your family.