Your car’s air conditioning system has one job in the summer time, and when the AC doesn’t work it can really be torture. An understanding of the common causes of glitches and proper steps of care will surely keep your car’s air conditioning in top order. Here are some of the reasons why your car’s AC isn’t working, and what can be done about it.
Leaking Freon
Your vehicle’s AC system uses a coolant called Freon. Freon evaporates the heat inside the unit and expels cool air. Typically, if the air is still blowing strong when the car is moving, but it’s not cold enough, this can be attributed to a Freon leak. Freon leaks can occur in a variety of places and for a variety of reasons. It could be a bad o-ring or rubber hoses which failed due to old age.
If left unchecked, the leak can lead to moisture which, when mixed with Freon, can produce corrosive acid. This could destroy your AC system. For this reason, if you notice your AC system is working intermittently or not at all, it’s best to have it looked at by a trained Gaithersburg, MD mechanic right away before the problem gets worse.
Compressor Issue
The AC’s compressor is like your car’s engine; if it suffers an electrical glitch, the unit won’t function properly. While you can expect the compressor to be a reliable workhorse, certain conditions can cause a malfunction.
Dirt build-up in condenser coils, which can cause overheating and failure
Damaged or blocked refrigerant lines
Faulty DIY replacement of the refrigerant line – one that is too short or long
Wrong type or excess volume of refrigerant at the time of fill-up
An electrical failure that causes corrosive acid to build up and wreaks havoc on the compressor and other components
Sometimes, the clutch may not engage the compressor. This prevents the compressor from maintaining correct pressure. In the event this happens, your car’s air conditioning unit will blow warm air as opposed to the desired cold air.
AC Tune-Up Before it Gets Hot
Summer is a busy month for car owners. If you—like thousands of families across Maryland—are planning on taking your car out on long trips, you definitely want to make sure your AC unit is in perfect working order. A pre-summer tune-up at a Gaithersburg ac repair shop is a smart move to ensure hassle-free driving in the sweltering weather.
For help with diagnosing your car’s air conditioning issues, get in touch with your local Hillmuth Auto Care today. Hillmuth has delivered 5-star automotive services in central Maryland for almost 40 years. If you’re in need of some repairs for your air conditioning, give your local Hillmuth Auto Care a call today and we’ll be happy to help you out.
