Automotive Air Conditioning Required Maintenance Information
Our shop, Francisco’s Automotive, does quite a bit of automotive air conditioning service and repair. We feel that we see too many air conditioning systems not working efficiently or having catastrophic failures. We have been performing automotive air conditioning service and repairs since the mid 1980s and have found more frequent failures with the introduction of R134a refrigerant. It was not widely known then that even a 10% undercharge would promote damage to the air conditioning system. We discussed this while attending the regular Mobile Air Conditioning Society shows and seminars. R134a was difficult to contain when first introduced. When we ask why there is so many failures now, the biggest answer is lack of regular service or maintenance. Unfortunately when there is no listed scheduled service interval in the owner handbook or listed on 30,60,90k services, the air conditioning maintenance is neglected.
For help with better seo results for your your auto shop or other service related company, check out our SEO provider.
Most drivers assume that if they are kept cool while driving that the air conditioning system is working properly. And it may be. However, when we perform an air conditioning service, we often find the system is low on refrigerant charge. This is not good. First, the system may not be cooling as well as it should be. People get used to a gradually warmer temperatures until it becomes too warm. Or on a real hot day the air conditioning may not cool at all. The vehicle is then brought in, checked out and low refrigerant charge may be found and corrected. Second is the problem that a low charge does not carry lubricating oil properly to the air conditioning compressor. This is bad! Just like the engine, when it is run low on oil damage occurs. Either case may be a slow gradual death. And like engine repair, air conditioning repair can get expensive quickly when major damage occurs.
No, you do not change the oil in an air conditioning system like you do in your engine, but loss of oil can be corrected. During a service where the refrigerant was found to be low, usually oil leaked out also. When the air conditioning system is properly recharged, specific oil is added to make up for the loss. All automotive air conditioning shops must carry a wide variety of ac oils as each system is designed for a specific type and weight of oil.
An automotive air conditioning service performed correctly should always include a full check out. Are all the blower speeds working correctly? Does the air distribution function direct the air properly? Does the heater work? Does the rear air conditioning work normally if equipped? All these areas must be addressed for a full evaluation of the automobiles’ air conditioning system. Most of the above functions are electronically controlled on newer vehicles. When any of them are not working correctly as they should, electrical work is required to diagnose and repair the problem.
Do yourself a favor and have your automotive air conditioning system serviced on a routine basis. We recommend at least every 18 months to be on the safe side and to help avoid a big expense. Maintenance pays for itself more than one way to avoid premature compressor failure.
6 comments:
I was wondering what you do to convert an older system to the newer 134a. I heard it is a lot cheaper to do that than fix the old system. Is this true?
To do a conversion to r134a properly, you are required to flush out the air conditioning system to get all the old r12 oil out. Starting fresh with proper oil is needed. Also if it does not have a high pressure cut off switch one must be installed. The biggest problem is how much refrigerant to add. They say that somewher between 70 to 80 % of the r12 charge. The proper way to do it is to measure the temperture in and out of the condensor and evporator (there is a formula) and when the temperture is correct that is when you have the right amount of r134a refrigerant. To get to the in and out of the evaporator core sometimes is just about impossible.
Not enough refrigerant can deprive the compressor of the right amount of oil, too much refrigerant can cause high pressure. Even with the right amount, pressures will be higher, Everyone knows that r134a is much harder to contain than r12. Therefore what would be a small leak or no leak with R12 will now have a leak with r 134a. Also R134a does not cool as well.There are too many negatives and not enough positives to perform a quality conversion economically. As long as we have r12 I recommend keepng it r12 as the cost of r12 has come down some. I believe we will always have enough R12 in the forseeable future to keep your air conditioning system as the factory intended it to be. Nice and cold.
I just bought a new 08 Toyota Corolla, My air conditioner seems cold but, is it as cold as COLD can be? What's the lowest temperature it can be? I live around the corner in HB and always see your shop what are those machine outside?
James Tutor
Those are all A/C machines. We own six of them. Come by James any time for 10% off your repair. Mention your blog comment. Thanks!
R134a was difficult to contain when first introduced. When it is asked why there is so many failures now, the biggest answer is lack of regular service or maintenance.
bucket trucks
In all cases air condition repairing is neglected by the owners. That's why most drivers assume that if they are kept cool while driving that the air conditioning system is working properly.
NYC air conditioners
Post a Comment