An automotive air conditioning system can be broken down to four basic parts - a belt driven pump known as a compressor to compress and circulate refrigerant gas, a radiator like unit called a condenser to release heat and condense gas to a liquid, a heat exchanger called an evaporator to exhaust the heat from the car and dehumidify refrigerant and an expansion device usually a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube, (subject to the type of a/c system used).

A car air conditioning is designed to remove the heat from the air in the interior of the vehicle then transfer it to the outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind 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

• Check air vent temperature is correct

• Condenser temperature evaluation
  
  
• Suction line temperature test
  
  
• Corrections of drive belt and pulley
  
  
• Operational check of valves and thermostats
  
  
• Confirm condenser fins are free of dirt or debris
  
  
• Inspect condition of of components and hoses
  
  
• Evacuation and recharge of refrigerant (where required)
  
  
• Use electronic leak detector to asses system lines and components for leaks

Compressor Seizure can be prevented by checking or changing the oil level in the refrigerant. If the air filters are jammed with dirt and bacteria it will affect the performance of the entire system and it can even cause it to quit operating altogether. On top of reducing air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause all kinds of health problems too.

A vehicle air conditioning system should be inspected annually for any signs of failure of the seals, hoses and connections to make sure too much regfrigerant is not being lost over time. Regularly servicing your auto 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 lowers your fuel consumption.

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A car air conditioning is designed to remove the heat from the air in the interior of the vehicle and carry it to the outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind 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 much like a domestic refrigerator, there are still a couple of crucial differences. Being mounted on your car, the air conditioner is subjected to a prodigious amount of movement and vibration as well as having to operate outdoors.

Being exposed to the elements and very stressful operating temperatures and being run intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause failure of the connections, seals and hoses. A car air conditioner system ought to be examined annually and 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 moist environment can support the development of microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth inside the evaporator core. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, they have an increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.

Nationwide Auto Service Centre mechanics will use specialised ultrasonic technology to ensure the extermination of any micro-organisms possibly causing any bad smells 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.