"Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers to Your Questions About Car Air Con"
"Air Conditioning Birmingham, Car Service Birmingham (750+ words)"
[ ";Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers to Your Questions About Car Air ConditioningTo trace faults in your cars Air Conditioning Birmingham you need to start in the engine bay and work your way in through the door seals. This is because when you start up your car, cold metal parts contract very quickly and suck in moisture which rusts things up fast. We all know that corrosion eats metal so any leaks or faults will show themselves much faster around the outside of the A/C box than at other places in the refrigerant lines. So lets get started!Firstly, inspect your condenser unit which sits behind your radiator on top of your exhaust manifold. It has a grill over it protecting it from debris being thrown up by the front tires. If this grill is damaged or missing, it must be replaced with an original equipment piece. Damaged condenser units can create a lot of extra work for you because they will overload the compressor and cause it to fail prematurely, along with all the other problems associated with an overworked compressor such as excessive wear on engine components and reduced fuel economy.Next, inspect your A/C lines from the evaporator under the dash out through to each wheel well area. Look for signs of rust or corrosion where these parts have been in contact with moist air over many years - this is not unusual so dont freak out! All you need to do is use some WD-40 or similar cleaner to remove any corrosion and then spray a dusting of silicone lube on each line where it goes into the metal casing to stop it rusting up again. If you can see that moisture has been inside the rubber lines, then theyll need replacing to avoid future problems with leaks and compressor failures - your best bet is probably EFI Express in Orlando as they stock a wide range of colours and sizes.If you find any holes leaking refrigerant it means youll have to buy new parts for repair so keep all your old ones on hand just in case! Also, check for roots growing under the car where the evaporator drains into a pan - this will also cause an A/C leak and should be fixed as soon as possible unless you want some real wacky weather coming out of those vents! The drain hole located at the bottom of most A/C boxes can also get clogged with dirt and debris which will reduce the cooling airflow to the cabin. If this happens, remove the lines at the condenser end and use a brush or compressed air to clean out the dirty panel filter located inside.If you find any damage in these areas, then get it fixed before summer hits! Otherwise, get ready for some sweaty car rides with friends - trust me; your buddies wont enjoy that one bit!The hot weather is increasingly upon us. People have been asking me about air conditioning for their vehicles. So here are 10 answers to your questions about car air conditioning!Do I need to use anything special in my car's air conditioning and Car Service Birmingham? Some people recommend "Purge" or other additives that supposedly improve AC performance, but do they work? And should you use them anyway;The short answer is no; there's nothing you need to add. If the system was serviced recently (it has good airflow when bled and doesn't drip), then it should be fine without any treatment or flushing. Don't waste your time or money on products like "Purge" or other additives. As for bleeding the system, see next Question 2.What are the steps to properly bleed my car's AC?There are two steps in bleeding a system, and two fluids involved. The first step is getting moisture out of the system, using only air - no flushing agents. You do this by cycling the A/C controls on and off until everything is dry (watch your vents to confirm this). To do it, set the controls as follows: High fan speed Max A/C Cool temp On recirculate If you have rear climate control, turn it up too So once these settings are selected and activated, keep cycling them on and off (on-off-on-off) until you can hear the hissing of moisture getting forced out of the system (listen carefully). The second step is bleeding any trapped air pockets, using either R134a or an AC machine. You can buy cans of the refrigerant at many auto parts stores to do this part yourself, but I'd recommend just taking it to a proIs there anything else I should know about my car's AC?;Answer: One thing that seems to cause problems with older cars is having too much airflow through the cabin when A/C is on, so you want it blocked off. Many modern cars have this feature built-in, though some don't. If yours doesn't and you have problems with the A/C not forming a good vacuum, try blocking off the vents to minimise airflow.Can I get an after-market AC system for my car?;Yes! You can install an all-new after-market AC system in your vehicle or have your existing one refurbished. All you need is the part number of the unit you currently have (this is usually on a metal tag around where it mounts inside the dash). And then you must match that part number to the compressor and condenser available from suppliers like R12parts.com, AirCondParts.com, etc... Note that some new systems require no refrigerant fluid at all - they are only filled with air! If so, then you'll need to have an AC shop evacuate the system after installation, before adding refrigerant.Is there anything I can do myself to make my car's AC run better?;If your car's A/C isn't running well, try cleaning the evaporator fins inside the A/C box. If they are clogged with dirt or sand it will reduce airflow into the cabin and reduce cooling performance. No special tools are required - just a brush that you can use to gently clean them off. Just be careful not to damage them! Also, check for debris in the drain hole located at the bottom of most A/C boxes - this is where moisture collects so be sure no dirt or sand has gotten inside.How can I tell if it's time to replace my car's AC system?Unless you need it right now, wait until fall when the demand for air conditioning is lower. At that time of year, look for common problems like low refrigerant pressure (which can be caused by a leak), strange noises during operation, and cycling issues. If you're having a specific problem with a modulating valve or blower motor, you might not notice these things in warmer weather - your A/C may keep running OK even though there's something wrong with it! You'll have to diagnose any faults yourself using, Car Service Birmingham." ]