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Log book service - Lost your log book?
Ensuring that your car is regularly serviced maintains the service history of your vehicle and keeps your manufacturer's warranty intact...
Read moreChillin' out all summer long!
Summer is fast approaching and nothing feels more refreshing than feeling cool air blowing inside your car on a hot day. But, have you ever experienced having your air conditioner suddenly failing during a long road trip, leaving you drenched in sweat and extremely uncomfortable?
Schwarz Motor Repairs (AU31293) are the best mechanics to manage all your Vehicle Air Conditioner Regas, Repair, Service or Inspection needs in Loxton and the surrounding areas.
Modern vehicles are complex and just like the engine servicing your car's air conditioner regularly is very important to ensure continued reliable and efficient operation.
Low refrigerant due to leaks or evaporation means your air con system will begin to deteriorate and will have to work harder, with a resulting increase in fuel being burned. Therefore it is important that the rubber seals are regularly scrutinised for any signs of leaks or decay which could be a sign of an ongoing loss of refrigerant.
Telltale signs of bad car air conditioning:
- No cool air is blowing out of the vents.
- Foul smell coming out of the vents.
- Strange noises such as clunking or hissing sounds.
- Air conditioner compressor is not turning on.
- Frost is forming on the evaporator or A/C hose.
Why is this happening??
- Refrigerant Leak: If there is a leak in your car's refrigerant, you might notice warm air blowing from your vents.
- Blocked Condenser: When dirt, debris, and leaves block your car's condenser, your air conditioner might blow warm air as well.
- Damaged Compressor: The compressor plays a vital role in circulating the refrigerant in the air conditioner. If it fails, your air conditioning will not work properly.
It is crucial to have your car's air conditioning system regularly serviced to avoid costly repairs in the long run. Changing the air filter in your air conditioner every six months is necessary to ensure that the system is running at its best. A blocked filter will affect the efficiency of your car's air conditioner, and it will have to work harder to cool down your vehicle.
To avoid costly breakdowns and ensure passenger safety, it's recommended to get your car air conditioning serviced every twelve months. Not only will it prevent the buildup of harmful substances, but it can also help you save money on fuel consumption.
Moreover, regular maintenance checks can identify minor issues that may become severe if left unattended.
With Schwarz Motor Repairs, you don't have to worry about car air conditioning services as we are committed to providing our customers with the best quality repairs and maintenance services. Our team of highly qualified technicians are experienced and trained to handle any issue that your car air conditioner might be experiencing. Furthermore, they provide nationwide warranty support under the Repco Authorised Service network.
Schwarz Motor Repairs care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation (AU31293) to reliably and responsibly conduct vehicle air conditioning regas, repair, service or inspection.
Ensuring that your car's air conditioning system is functioning correctly can make all the difference in providing a comfortable and relaxing drive. By understanding the symptoms of a bad air conditioner, you can promptly identify and seek professional assistance. Do not compromise on the air conditioning services you choose for your vehicle, as investing in the right maintenance and repair services can save you from future repair costs.
Trust Schwarz Motor Repairs to deliver quality air conditioning services for your vehicle and enjoy the comforts of a cool drive even in the hottest weather.
Car Air Conditioning Service Frequently Asked Questions
How do air conditioners work?
A car air conditioner system is composed of four essential parts :
- A belt-driven pump known as a compressor to compress and circulate gas.
- A radiator like unit called a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid.
- An expansion device, which could be a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube (subject to the kind of air-con system used).
- Some systems have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator performs the same crucial task. Both of these parts also store refrigerant.
Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the car's interior area and transfer it outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. Hot air is passed across a gas-filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car.
The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to extract the refrigerant's heat quickly. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the refrigerant's flow to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the evaporator's cold fins produces the cold air being blown into the car, and the entire process then begins all over again.
Does the car air conditioner use more fuel?
Yes! Your car air conditioning is using fuel. However, it's actually more fuel efficient to run car air conditioning than it is to have your windows down due to aerodynamic drag. If your air conditioning isn't performing its best, it may use more fuel to run. To avoid this, it's important that you have your air conditioning serviced regularly by professionals, like the ones at Schwarz Motor Repairs.
What's the cause of the bad smell in car air conditioning?
The damp environment can promote 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. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, they have more fins, meaning an increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.
How do I know my car air conditioning is due for a service?
If you cannot remember when your air conditioning was last serviced, perhaps it's time to book in with the team at Schwarz Motor Repairs. You should also book in if:
- Your air conditioning system is blowing warm air
- There are damp patches or water stains under your dashboard
- Your car air conditioning system smells funny
- Your car air conditioning system is making strange noises
- There is weak air flow from the car air conditioning system
Why does the car air conditioner need to be serviced?
Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the interior area of the car outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air 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.
The compressor needs the right amount of oil in the refrigerant to prevent it from seizing up. Should the air filters be jammed with dirt and bacteria, it will affect the entire system's performance, and it can even cause it to stop working altogether. On top of inhibiting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause health problems.
Being exposed to the elements and very diverse operating conditions and being used intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause decay of the hoses, connections and seals. A vehicle air conditioning system should be examined regularly 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 air filters get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time. It should be recharged as required to keep the air con system in peak running condition.
How often should a car air conditioner be serviced?
Your automotive air conditioning system needs to be examined once a year for any signs of problems with the seals, hoses and connections and confirm there is no refrigerant reduction over time. Regularly servicing your automotive air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard. This, in turn, protects the system from damage and minimises fuel expenditure.
Can I service my own car air conditioner?
Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training, like the ones at Schwarz Motor Repairs, should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where re-gas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.
Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if mishandled. 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, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.
