Having trouble staying cool this summer? When your car’s AC stops working, it can make any drive feel like a chore. Finding the problem behind your car’s AC trouble can feel tricky, but there are a few key areas where you can start looking. We’ll take a look at three common car AC repairs and how you can check to see if you may need to make an appointment with your mechanic.
While all the parts under your hood are pretty well protected, it’s not a sealed area. That means it’s possible for leaves, bugs, small animals, dirt, and other debris to get under there with time. If you’ve ever heard the warning to knock on your hood or honk the horn before starting your car in the winter, that’s because animals can use it as a shelter. While it’s unlikely a cat is causing your car’s AC problems, it demonstrates the point that it’s easy for debris to get in there and cause trouble.
More specifically, smaller debris like leaves and dirt can accumulate under the hood and around the condenser. Your car’s condenser is part of the AC system and plays a big role in cooling the air circulating through the system. Make sure that the cooling fans on your car’s condenser are working when your air conditioning is on, as well as the radiator. If those become blocked, it can keep air from being able to pass over the condenser, leading to not-cool-enough air in the cabin of your car. This is also true of your cabin air filter, so it’s a good idea to check there while you’re under the hood.
The key to cool air is refrigerant. And just like any other fluid in your car, leaks can form and that means you won’t have adequate fluid left in the system to do its job. Over time, you’ll need an AC recharge service or have your refrigerant replaced on a regular basis, so if your car’s AC doesn’t feel as cool as it should, it’s commonly due to refrigerant issues. To check refrigerant levels, you’ll need a recharge kit and will have to locate the low-pressure service port. If this shows refrigerant levels in the red zone, you can top it off – but be sure to check your owner’s manual for the correct type of refrigerant.
Even though low refrigerant can mean your car’s air conditioning system doesn’t work as well as it should, leaks are actually normal in this case. That’s why you should schedule regular AC recharges, especially once you notice your car’s air conditioning system isn’t working as well as it should.
As with many systems in your car, the AC system can get leaks over time. These can spring up in a number of places, from worn gaskets and seals to holes in the condenser. You can check the pressures in your car’s air conditioning system using a manifold gauge set. Compare the readings to the recommended pressures in your owner’s manual. If your pressure readings are off, it can signal a leak in the system.
Whether you’re comfortable checking pressures in your AC system at home or not, the best option for this type of AC repair is to make an appointment with a trusted mechanic. Leaks can be tricky to accurately diagnose because they can spring up in a variety of places and parts. Your mechanic may use UV dye to help find where the leak is located before replacing any necessary parts.
Need an AC repair or other AC maintenance service? We make it easy. Schedule your appointment online or give us a call. We’ll help answer any questions you have about your car, complete any necessary AC service on your car, and help keep you comfortable on the road this summer.
