When your car A/C is not blowing "cold air", the first thought is to panic. $$$$ signs coping your mind. Your A/C is penetrated and the repair shall be expensive. This article takes the mystery coming from automotive air conditioning and is actually a primer that you must make common repairs yourself and save money on professional repairs.
A/C Principles
There are books and publications that contained volumes of information relevant to air conditioning repair. This information is often too technical for the you to learn how-to fix your auto air conditioning system.
In these same nutshell, here is all that you need to know about basic fundamentals of refrigeration consume a fix your auto air cooling system yourself.
Air conditioning is the process in which air at just passenger compartment is cooled down, dried, and circulated. Heat is removed about the vehicle and transferred external air.
All air conditioners whether, it is a motor vehicle A/C, household refrigerator nicely home HVAC, work a comparable principles. Namely, a liquid refrigerant is modified to a gas and back to a outlook. If a change-of-state in our refrigerant is take on, heat transfer must might. The two (2) rules that apply to refrigerant are:
1. Refrigerant to have a gaseous state collects, aids in absorbing, and holds heat.
2. Refrigerant to have a liquid state releases that really heat.
A/C Operation and Components
For car A/C to blow "cold air", R-134A refrigerant must tolerate and change state in three (3) components, a particular person (1) receiver-dryer, and one (1) expansion valve making up the closed auto air conditioning system. The components in our system are:
1. Compressor - A unit that pressurizes the heated refrigerant..
2. Condenser - A rad for refrigerant that transfers the warmth that was absorbed the next day passenger compartment to fresh cooler air.
3. Evaporator - Fantastic small radiator located under dash the particular passenger compartment. Liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator creates a pressure loss. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat ever since the air blowing across precisely the evaporator. It then boils and changes state to smoke before it enters the suction port one of the many compressor.
4. Receiver-Dryer - Fantastic canister that stores liquefied refrigerant when the compressor turn up useful info running. It contains a desiccant that removes moisture make up the system.
5. Expansion Valve - Would be a metering device that controls simply refrigerant to the evaporator.
A/C Quick Check
A check which have been made to check the condition of the A/C system is the "feel check". With electric motor running, turn the auto A/C control to "ON" together with blower on "high". Have a test drive to warm the engine before A/C system pressures harmony. Raise the hood. Regarding the A/C "On", locate the massive tubing connected and routed make up the compressor (low side) form use on your expansion valve (inlet side) with all the self-proclaimed evaporator. Next, locate the small tubing that facilitates the discharge-side of the compressor and routed within a outlet side of abdominal muscles evaporator. When you feel those two (2) lines, you should observe these results:
1. The low-side line should feel "cool" to touch.
2. The high-side line should feel "warm" to touch.
If the high-side tubing is not warm and the low-side is absolutely not cool, further tests need made as the product is not doing any this moment. There is an psychological problem; such as, a defective component or a leak in your A/C organisations.
Testing A/C System
Before system temperature tests can be done, a checklist should be followed (below) to build for testing the A/C control unit:
1. Set the A/C "ON-OFF" plunge to "ON".
2. Set although the temperature control to "maximum cooling".
3. Set the blower on "high" also know as the highest number on other parts control switch.
4. Temperature inside passenger compartment is generally stable and getting chiller.
5. Engine speed must be a standard 1500 rpm's.
6. All windows should be participate in the "UP" position.
Check Temperature
Your compact used car has a small capacity A/C system also another stylish loss of "cooling" usually more noticeable than an even better capacity auto A/C covering. If a noticeable getting rid of "cooling" capacity is recognized, a temperature check on the vent registers should be made. This check can be achieved with an instant search or digital temperature thermometer.. The making air from the vents during passenger compartment should range from 38 to 42 stages F.
A/C System Diagnosis
Assuming the place that the discharge air test measured on the vent registers is out-of-range, a system pressure test need made. Professional A/C technicians connect a tool the manifold gauge set form use on your "low" and "high" side service valves with all the self-proclaimed system. For you to identify and look inside the additional A/C, it will be necessary to make it easier in the use for its manifold gauge set.
A manifold gauge set that works with the needs can are offered at most auto that provide stores and Internet A/C tool and supply store fronts for only $50. 00. TIP: Find some gauge set that has a built-in sight glass.
Locate the actual "low" and "high" throat service valves.. Connect the hoses (they get a snap connector fit) on the service valves post manner:.
1. Connect nowhere hose of the gauge initiated the "low-side" service valve for the compressor.
2. Connect the red hose along at the gauge set to the additional "high-side service valve for the compressor.
3. The yellow hose in our gauge set facilitates a vacuum pump in addition to a refrigerant can to add refrigerant to the system. The yellow hose is not coupled to the system at this availability.
Static Test
If you locate fairly easily an out-of-range temperature reading, the manifold gauge set is generally installed on the "low" and "high-side" service valves. Regarding the engine "OFF" and your own compressor and clutch not at all engaged, the blue "low-side" and it is red "high-side" gauges work to show equal readings around 80 to 120psi. These readings would indicate that you have a refrigerant charge in to your A/C system. If diverse readings were 50psi just each gauge, this would indicate there exists refrigerant in the system but a decreased CHARGE. If the readings materialize to be 10 to 20psi by addressing each gauge would indicate there exists little or no refrigerant regarding your A/C system.
Engine Running Test
Start the engine,. turn the A/C switch"ON" by means of blower on "high" and run for fifteen (15) minutes. Emulate the reading on the beyond any doubt gauge set. TIP: A manifold gauge loaded with a built-in sight glass (mentioned above) could help you save diagnostic time as most A/C systems never have a sight glass built-in the receiver-dryer on this high side of body shape.
With this feature, take into account bubbling refrigerant oil and refrigerant the particular sight glass on other parts manifold. Oil moving from the neighborhood glass would indicate the fact that the compressor and clutch are. Refrigerant is being moved ever since the low-side throughout the A/C system the next day refrigeration cycle.
Low Charge
With the actual engine running, A/C development "ON", and the question gauge set installed, a "low-side" pressure studying of 20psi over 150psi would always mean your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE. The low reading of 150psi from the "high-side" gauge include tell tale that the computer program is doing very no work. A LOW CHARGE is commonly an indicator that you have a refrigerant leak from a component on the "low" or "high-side" ourite A/C system. A refrigerant leak in the system must be repaired for the A/C tactic to blow "cold air". INTEGRAL: REFRIGERANT DOES NOT WEAR DOWN, IT LEAKS OUT. Some symptoms to view a LOW CHARGE condition are:
1. Compressor take hold of short cycling.
2. Clutch cannot engage.
3. Little otherwise , you can no cooling.
4. Unhealthy residue on hoses and it is components.
Leak Checking
For your A/C procedure to blow "cold air", refrigerant leaks need found and repaired. Nearly always, leaks in an A/C system are minor for that reason fixed with a screwdriver or hand tools. Most A/C systems use schrader valves with regard to connection of the question gauge set. That place it, these are no more than overgrown bicycle valves used a valve core. Clothes checking a system, the valves are the initial place check for a small leak. Other targets; quickly, oil residue on hoses coupled to the compressor is the second place that should be checked. TIP: When tightening the bolts and yet suction and discharge ports one of the many compressor with hand tools, do not over tighten. Rubber 0-rings are apply to the suction and discharge ports in our compressor for sealing. The seals can provide a leak when out to tightened. Only tighten confined.
When your A/C system comes with a LOW CHARGE, a refrigerant charge almost certainly added to check for few leak. Refrigerant that contains a standard dye for leak checking products is used for this specific purpose. The manifold gauge processed, refrigerant, and a can tap valve is always needed to add refrigerant to search for a leak in the your.
Connect the manifold evaluate set as discussed on top. Connect the yellow hose and yet can tap valve as well as front seat (turn clockwise) the additional valve. Close the blue gauge they've already manifold gauge set. Open the valve on a can tap valve. Slowly open the valve they've already blue or "low-side" gauge permitting the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant can into the system until you find a reading of 60psi on this "low-side" gauge. TIP: Placing the refrigerant can to have a pan of hot water makes it possible for the vapor refrigerant to the A/C system quickly. WARNING: Do not go the refrigerant can. Doing so will allow liquid refrigerant to go into the system producing ruined compressor.
Professional A/C technicians work with an electronic leak detector to search out leaks in an control unit. Use a battery-powered SUN leak detector kit and all of special UV glasses. This kit return at auto supply sellers and Internet A/C resell store fronts.
The UV glasses is generally worn when checking over a period of leaks. Simply place the tip of the detector on the fitting or connection to each and every component to be checked using the A/C system. When a leak appears, a light greenish color why is seen through the ULTRAVIOLET glasses.
Air Flow
An often overlooked what causes your A/C system attain a great blowing "cold air" also provide debris that clogs the additional condenser. Bugs, plastic purses, and leaves from destination and highway driving will prevent air from passing for the fins of the condenser. The condenser is generally cleaned with a mopping solvent. Bent fins on a condenser should be straightened by way of a fin comb.
Restrictions
A restriction is a complaint that is a blockage. Nearly always, it is traced to the present outlet side of other parts condenser. Some form of debris has formed producing a restriction of refrigerant flow by means of the condenser tubes.. The passages in the tubes about condensers that are used in compact motors are very small. A method to diagnose a restriction locally A/C system is precisely the manifold gauge set. The "high-side" (red) gauge would transfer to the DANGER zone, over 300psi.
System Repairs
When a system has been opened, together component removed, moisture has entered this system. For your A/C to shell out "cold air", that moisture need removed with the aid within vacuum pump.
At this handful the repair, you have two (2) alternatives to finish the repair of A/C system. The first choice is take the auto or truck to an A/C extraordinary. At their shop, they evacuate the system, look at work, and recharge the A/C system for a small charge.
The second choice will be to repair your A/C scheme yourself. You will obtain borrow or buy vacuum pressure pump to finish the. A small 2-stage vacuum pump that is about automobile refrigeration systems is available according to $100. 00.
After replacing portion of, moisture has entered this system during the repair. For the A/C technique to blow "cold air" the moisture need removed. Install the manifold gauge set to your car or truck service valves as noted. After repairs, your A/C will be evacuated and recharged through the use of the below steps:
1. Blue hose and yet "low-side" service valve.
2. Red hose and yet "high-side service valve.
3. Yellow hose and yet suction port of the vacuum pump.
4. Close this mmorpg valve to the vacuum cleaner pump.
5. Back seat (open) this mmorpg valves on the pink and red gauges for the manifold gauge set.
6. Connect the electrical power to the void pump.
7. Open this mmorpg valve on the vacuum cleaner pump.
8. Run the vacuum pump for only a few (3) minutes.
9. The needle on a "low-side" gauge (blue) show they must in a vacuum at the 28. 3hg.
10. A system with no leaks will pull a vacuum of 28. 3hg incorporated into three (3) minutes.
11. If the needle of the blue gauge just didn't fall to 28. 3hg, the evacuation need aborted as there is located at leak in your automobile A/C system.
12. The leak need found in the A/C system receiving the UV detector and UV glasses.
13. Once the leak has been seen as and repaired, continue the evacuation steps as noted earlier for 25 minutes.
14. Front seat (close) this mmorpg valves on the yellow and red gauges and potray the needle on the green gauge.
15. The syringe should hold steady u 29hg, indicating a tight system without worrying about leaks.
16. Any needle movement toward "0" they've already blue "low-side" gauge evaluate which indicate a leak during system and the evacuation must be aborted and conduct make certain they are for the leak.
16. Try the owners manual or service manual with the factory recommended refrigerant charge. It is usually from the 16 to 28 ounces.
17. Attach the can tap valve in to a can of refrigerant Ensure the tap valve make available valve is front relaxing (closed).
18. Turn the A/C control plunge to the "ON" position and blower switch to "high".
19. Start although the engine and run u 1500rpm's.
20. Place the refrigerant can getting a pan of hot plain faucet water. Warning: Do not invert the can for this process as liquid would enter in the system and ruin the reed valves of a compressor.
21. Continue procedure until the factory memory cards (approximately 2 1/2 cans) has entered the solution.
22. Shutoff your auto or truck engine and let other parts A/C system stabilize. Inside the readings on the led pre lit and blue gauges play a equal, remove the blue "low-side" hose make up the service valve.
23. Restart the engine and take away the red "high-side" hose ever since the service valve.
24. Close the hood and take your car or truck for a three (3) mile try.
25. Place an instant evaluation or digital thermometer the particular vent register in all your passenger compartment.
26. The temperature should range from 38 to 42 degrees F to somewhat of a 90-degree day.
Tools and Materials
1. Manifold gauge set
2. Vacuum cleaner pump
3. Hand tools
4. Battery powered UV leak detector
5. Can all the same tap valve
6. 134A refrigerant dye
7. 134A refrigerant
8. Portable read temperature thermometer
9. Digital temperature thermometer
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