Proper maintenance of your car AC means ensuring that there are no refrigerant leaks and no unwanted noise. But most importantly, proper maintenance means that you’re getting cool air. Most car manufacturers recommend that you regularly check the AC in order to make sure everything’s fine. However, not everyone is an expert mechanic, which is why it is important to know the obvious and common problems.
Knowing such faults along with few maintenance tips will enable you to keep your car AC in good shape. Also, it will also help you to figure out the right time for taking it to a car air conditioning service center. Listed below are five tips that will be useful for proper maintenance of car AC.
#1 Learn the Basics First
You cannot take care of car AC until and unless you know the basics about them. Try to learn about its major components. Basically, there are five of them:
– Compressor
– Condenser
– Expansion valve
– Refrigerant
– Evaporator or Dryer
Do not restrict your learning to names only. Learn about basic functions of each part and try to understand how AC works. This basic knowledge will come in handy while trying to identify and troubleshoot common faults.
#2 Know the Signs
Before an AC breaks down completely, it shows certain signs and symptoms. If you know about these signs, then you can give it a stitch in time. Here are some common indications that something is wrong:
– Oil stains made from refrigerants at hoses, pipes and compressors
– Poor air flow through radiator and condenser
– Unwanted noise in the compressor
– Lack of cool air or no cool air at all
Run car AC and if you notice any of the above signs, then take it to a repair center soon.
#3 Don’t let the AC be Dormant for too Long
Car owners are strictly advised to run their car AC for at least ten to fifteen minutes once in a week. This is a must during winters. Run it in its coolest settings and keep maximum fan speed. This helps in maintaining gas pressure, and it also prevents hoses from hardening. In order to clean accumulated moisture, run it in defrost mode. This will prevent mildew and will also prevent the ‘dirty wet cloth’ odor situation.
#4 Check for Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant leak is one of the most common causes of AC damage. So, it is important that you keep an eye on it. To check refrigerant leak, use a fluorescent dye. You can purchase the dye from any reputed auto parts center. Now add the dye by following instructions on user guide. Usually, fluorescent dye is added through the low pressure recharge port of AC. It is located on your car’s AC canister. If the dye stains any AC part, then you can be sure of refrigerant leak.
You can also check for leaks by using ultraviolet light. If there’s minor leakage problem, then you can get refill kits with leak sealer from auto supply centers. You can then DIY it at home by following user manual. But if the leakage is in huge quantity, then better visit a service center soon.
#5 Check Out for Other Problems
In case you do not find any defects using the above ideas, you should check the fuses, wiring and the fan belts. If you find any frayed or defective belt, then replace it immediately. Also, check for broken wires. A loose belt will affect compressor’s function while broken wires will lead to inadequate power supply. Either of them can cause malfunctioning of your AC.
Precautions
While the above listed tips can be extremely useful for car owners, there are certain precautions which must be taken while checking car AC.
– Be careful while checking AC’s parts. A car AC has sharp edges and several moving belts. You might get hurt if you’re not careful.
– Since you’re not a mechanic, so don’t try to experiment with car AC. Before trying anything, do remember to check the user manual.
After you’re done with car air conditioning repair, be sure to run your AC again. If the problem persists, then it’s better to contact Mr. Cool Brisbane’s leading automotive airconditioning specialists.