Car air conditioning repairs

How does air conditioning work?

All car airconditioning systems work slightly differently but the principle is still the same. The gas changes between a liquid and a gas to remove the heat from the car cabin. The gas enters the condenser as a high-pressure gas and leaves the condenser as a high-pressure liquid as the condenser has cooled it down. It then goes through the receiver dryer to remove any moisture and dirt in the gas. It then goes to the expansion valve where it turns into a cool liquid that is in a low-pressure state and goes through the evaporator. It then leaves the expansion valve as a gas and goes back through the expansion valve and back to the compressor where it turns from a low-pressure gas back into a high-pressure gas. Although all systems work slightly differently this is the general premise.

1. Too low or too high gas levels

If there are low gas levels then it is unlikely that the AC system is going to work efficiently. The gas is used to remove the heat from the car and transfer it through the system, Without this at the right pressure the system can not work. The gas levels can also be too high in the system causing too much pressure so the car won't cut the compressor in due to an increased risk.

2. Leak in the system

If you have a leak in your AC system which is quite common then it will slowly leak the gas out of the system causing the AC not to work anymore. Sometimes this may be a very small leak that could take a long time to run out of gas and sometimes it can be a large leak causing the AC system not to work at all. The most common cause of this is a leaky condenser but could be caused by many other failed components

3. Blocked system

a blockage in the system will also cause a problem and mean that the AC system will not work as this will stop the flow of the gas reducing the cooling effect as it is not operating as intended

4. System full of moustire

Over time the AC system gets moisture in it. If the AC system isn't serviced as it should be then this build-up of moisture can cause the system to work inefficiently. Typically a good service is enough to resolve this issue. Moisture can also enter through if the system is left open for repairs or has a leak.

5. Failed compressor

A failed compressor is one of the most common reasons for the air conditioning system not to work on a car. Most become seized or the electrical system fails on it. Working out the cause of failure is important in all circumstances.

6. Snapped belt

On your standard engine if the belt has snapped then it won't run the compressor so the AC won't work.

Is your AC not cooling properly?

Call our Garage near Leighton Buzzard for a FREE quote

01296 688256

Can you repair air conditioning systems?

Yes, we can carry out repairs on the AC system to fix faults with it so whether you need a regas or a full system leak check we have got you covered.

The most common faults are leaks from the condenser as this is the most susceptible to damage being located at the front of the vehicle and will typically get damaged from debris on the road causing it to leak slowly over time losing all of the gas in the system.

Many car compressors also fail and stop building the pressure needed in an AC system for correct function, before replacement, it is important to find out what has caused this damage too as it could be many problems.

You can also get electrical problems such as the compressor not being activated by the ECU which other faults with sensors in the system could cause. We can carry out diagnostics on all systems to pinpoint the fault.

Is your AC not cooling properly?

Call our Garage near Leighton Buzzard for a FREE quote

01296 688256

Frequently asked questions

Is a car air conditioning service necessary?

A car air con service is recommended by most manufacturers every 2 years although most people don't have this done and instead wait till there is a problem within the system.

The Air conditioning system is very important for not only cooling the cabin during those hot summer months but can also be used for demisting the windscreen during those colder winter months so has a use all year round.

During a car air conditioning service, the old refrigerant will be removed from the system, a full system check will be carried out for any leaks, Remove all the moisture from the system to keep it running efficiently and topping up with new oil and gas. Although not a legal requirement it is recommended to have this system serviced periodically to keep it running efficiently and be able to identify any problems before they become worse. This is because there are filters that can block up, or over time the system can become full of moisture causing it to not run properly.

Also if you let the gas run low then this may not lubricate the compressor correctly causing failure of important parts and could also cause more leaks if the seals aren't lubricated correctly. Keeping your car air conditioning system topped up will mean that it will run more efficiently than with a lack of gas.

Does car air conditioning use fuel?

Although most people believe that turning on the air conditioning will use a large amount of fuel on most modern vehicles the compressors are so efficient that they only use a small amount of fuel. Years ago older compressors were much more inefficient so they would use a lot more fuel to do their job but most systems now run on a longer journey and will have only a slight effect.

What is a car air conditioning recharge?

an AC recharge or service is a process where a series of checks will be carried out and then the car will be refilled with gas and oil so the system will start blowing cold air again. If the system has no gas present then a leak check must be carried out using nitrogen beforehand to pinpoint any leaks in the system as releasing gas into the atmosphere on purpose is illegal.

Why does car air conditioning smell?

One cause of your car's air conditioning smell could be from a build-up of moisture in the system. This could be caused by a lack of servicing used to remove the moisture but could also be caused if you don't use your AC at all during the winter months.

Another reason why you could have a smell from your car's air conditioning could be a blocked drain from the evaporator which is located under the dashboard, If the drain becomes blocked then this could prevent all of the moisture from draining off leaving a buildup causing a smell within the car.

Can you repair car air conditioning systems?

Yes we can carry out repairs on the AC system to repair faults with it. The most common faults are leaks from the condenser as this is the most susceptible to damage being located at the front of the vehicle. A lot of car compressors also fail and it is important to find out what has caused this damage too. You can also get electrical problems such as the compressor not being activated by the ECU which could be caused by other faults with sensors in the system. We can carry out diagnostics on all systems to pinpoint the fault.