Air Conditioners, including that fitted in your automobiles, are built to remove unwelcome ‘heat ‘ from inside, dehumidify the cabin atmosphere and supply cool air for the comfort of the occupants. Each automotive air conditioning system works by taking the heat from the cabin air to heat and vaporize the refrigerant liquid like Freon.

The liquid is pressurized by the compressor and while it takes the heat from the air it vaporises in the enlargement valve and the ‘hot ‘ gas is circulated thru a series of tubes to disperse the heat and in the process the Freon gets cold. By this point it is clear that the most vital element, in the rather complicated layout verbally listed above, is the compressor which is the same as the heart in your body and the Freon is like blood. At first cold Freon is passed through metal tubes to the dash area in your automobile to the ‘evaporator zone’.

This where the heat must be removed from and has an ‘evaporator core ‘ looking rather like a miniature radiator with thin tubes and metal fins, the sole difference being there isn’t any coolant or anti-freeze and this is cold in contrast to the radiator which is always hot. A little fan or blower, which is controlled for its speed and volume of air delivery from your cabin, fitted behind the evaporator blows the air through the evaporator griddles and into your cabin. Freon soaks up the heat from the cabin with the aid of the ‘condenser ‘ fitted in the front next to the radiator.

Freon circulating back from the cabin carries the heat thru rubber and metal tubes and the condenser has coils of aluminium and Freon is forced thru fine slits while the electrical cooling fan mounted in front or behind the condenser removes the heat. The cycle is repeated continuously so the atmosphere in the cabin remains cool.

After having been familiarized with how your car air conditioner works and what its major components are, it is going to be engaging to see what all potentially could go screwy and the way to cure them. Some of the most common of such Problems include:

• Low or total shortage of air movement across the condenser- this could be due to issues with the electric cooling fan. Check to determine if this is turning (in models with fan blades visible) or if not sure you should call your technician
• Low Freon level – this should be doubted if the cooling potency is low i.e, even with the vehicle AC entirely ON there is very small cooling within. That issue could only be attended by an authorized AC engineer.
• AC is working in total but cooling is poor and engine is overheating “this occurs in models where there are no separate fans for condenser and radiator, which shares a common large fan or engine is overheating due to other issues and cuts down the condenser potency. In either case reach for the telephone and call your garage, before you’ve more heavy problems with your car.
• If the air conditioner does not begin at all check and confirm that there’s blown fuse or the switch is not disconnected while cleaning for example. Electrical connections can be frequently the guilty party, which can sometimes be found out with a little experience.
• If your automobile needs a complete change or replacement of major elements like compressor, get it from the OEM and check the refrigerant is the correct one. (R12 is being Withdrawn)

It should be borne in mind that the refrigerant which in older models is R-12, substance renowned for its adverse result on the environment due to ‘ozone layer depletion’. Additionally, the substance is responsible to cause injury to your skin and eyes if you try and tamper with the automobile air conditioning system and accidentally lets it leak. In short car air conditioners have very little ‘user serviceable ‘ parts or components and need the assistance of a certified and certified technician.

Whenever low Freon level is suspected or low cooling is felt in spite of the rest reputedly fine, do not refrain from seeking professional help from qualified personnel. It may be opportune to mention here that old models of automobiles using R12 as the refrigerant has only up to 2013 to continue to replace the banned substance.

No new vehicles are able to use R12, but has to change to R134A or similar environment friendly refrigerants as laid out in the Montreal Custom and directives by the EPA. Some vehicle makers have recently started marketing retro-fit kits and if and when your automobile desires servicing or repair of AC, check if you’re still using R12 or any other illegal substance and change over to authorised refrigerants As soon as possible.

John Wright’s works are in books, articles and websites all around the world. Read more: click here or BMW Service.