A car air conditioning system could be seen as having four basic parts - the compressor, a pump driven by a belt to compress and circulate refrigerant gas, a radiator like unit called a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid, an evaporator to exhaust the heat from the car and remove moisture from refrigerant and an expansion device either an orifice tube or a thermal expansion valve (TXV), (depending on the type of A/C system used).

Your car air conditioner is designed to remove heat from the air in the passenger area of the car then relocate it out of the car, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind to be redistributed. As hot air is passed across the fins of the evaporator the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car and taking it outside.

The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression) to a very high temperature. The refrigerant is then literally forced through the condenser, allowing the cooler outside air to quickly extract the heat from the refrigerant as it is condensed to a liquid. The refrigerant then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the flow of refrigerant going to the evaporator. At this point the refrigerant expands back into a gas form and the entire process begins all over again.

 

A typical air conditioner service may include

• Air vent temperature assessment

• ensure condenser temperature ok
  
  
• Evaluate suction line temperature
  
  
• Drive belt and pulley adjusted
  
  
• Operational check of valves and thermostats
  
  
• Ensure condenser fins are clean
  
  
• Ensure good condition of of components and hoses
  
  
• Evacuation and recharge of refrigerant (where required)
  
  
• Check system lines and components for leaks with an electronic leak detector

Seizure of the compressor can be prevented by checking or changing the oil level in the refrigerant. Air filters clogged with dirt and bacteria it will affect the performance of the entire system and it can even cause it to quit working altogether. On top of impacting air conditioner performance, dirty air filters can cause all kinds of health problems too.

Your car air conditioning system must be examined once a year for any signs of decay of the connections, hoses and seals and ensure the refrigerant has not leaked over time. Regular service of your car air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard and this in turn protects the system from damage and reduces the amount of fuel being used up.

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Your car air conditioner is designed to remove heat from the air in the passenger area of the car then relocate it out of the car, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid.

While it operates in a way similar to a domestic refrigerator, there are still several significant differences. Being mounted on your car, the air conditioning unit is subjected to a gigantic amount of movement and vibration as well as having to function in an outdoor environment.

Being exposed to the mercy of the elements and very harsh operating conditions and being expected to function intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can have a detrimental effect on the connections, hoses and seals. A car air conditioning system ought to be checked annually and properly serviced every two years to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points.

Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the filters of the air con get dirty. If the system is run infrequently, seals may dry and crack allowing them to leak and the air conditioning system can lose as much as 15% of its refrigerant in a single year. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually degrade or evaporate over time and should be recharged regularly to keep the air con system in peak running condition

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Under Australian law, only qualified mechanics with the appropriate licences are able to service or repair car air conditioning systems, especially where regas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling refrigerant, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.

Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if handled incorrectly. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, which can seriously damage the system.

You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.

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The moist environment can support the development of microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth inside the evaporator core. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, but more fins equals increased ability to trap moisture allowing micro-organism development.

Service Plus Auto Care mechanics make use of special ultrasonic technology to eliminate any micro-organisms that may cause unpleasant odours or health issues.

Just ask about our MIST service, which will kill any bacteria that may be lurking in your Car’s Air system. These bacteria can cause odours and even make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. A MIST service doesn’t just make your car smell better - it makes it healthier for you and your family.