Car Air Conditioning Not Working? What You Need to Know about Car AC Repair
Keep Your Car Cool through the Florida Heat
Living in the Sunshine State can be great. We get sunshine all year round and never have to worry about shoveling snow off our driveways. The beach is always just a drive away, and we get to enjoy the benefits of an endless summer.
However, this sunny weather comes with some negatives. Because of the extreme heat of this state, we’re always hot, and most times, even sweaty. The only reason people can say they love living in Florida is thanks to the invention of AC.
You know the feeling. You get into your car on a hot summer day, and immediately need to blast the AC to keep yourself cool. But what happens when the car AC is not blowing cold air or even doesn’t turn on completely?
For many, a car AC repair becomes their top priority when this happens.
If you want to avoid dealing with a hot car in the middle of summer, here are some tell-tale signs that your car’s AC system might need some care.
3 Signs You May Need a Car AC Repair
Is there a weird smell or sound anytime your car’s AC kicks on? Is the AC not cooling your car properly? Worst of all, is your AC leaking?
These are some of the more common issues that people experience when their car’s AC is on the fritz. If you were able to relate to at least one of the things on this list, then it’s probably time to get your car’s AC checked out for any issues.
There are a number of reasons why your car’s air conditioning might not be working as well as it used to. It could be anything from needing an air filter change to a refrigerant leak. No matter what issue you might be facing, our team can help you identify the issue and repair it to keep you cool all summer long.
1. Cabin Air Filter Issues
Much like you have to regularly change the air filters in your home, you have to do the same for your car. If your car’s cabin air filter becomes clogged with debris and dust, it could impact the quality of the air that comes out of the AC. While this is often an easy fix, you don’t want to neglect changing out the filter.
Not changing it regularly (we recommend every 15,000 miles) can lead to allergens and bacteria circulating around your car’s cabin, which can sometimes irritate your allergies or even cause avoidable health issues.
If that’s not enough to convince you, another consequence of not changing your car’s cabin air filter is that it can inhibit your car’s HVAC system from defogging your windshield. Not only can this be annoying, but reduced visibility can quickly become dangerous if you don’t address the issue.
2. Broken Condenser
Another common reason for car AC troubles is a broken condenser. The car air conditioning condenser is a heat exchanger that converts the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid state and is always located in front of the radiator. The condenser is crucial to ensuring your car’s air is properly cooled to the level you set it.
Without a working condenser, the car’s HVAC system won’t be able to cool down the air, which could result in warm or even hot air being blown. Loud noises, reduced cooling, and refrigerant leaks are all clear indications that your condenser may not be functioning as it should be.
3. Car AC Refrigerant Leaks
The next big reason why a car’s AC no longer functions properly is a refrigerant leak. Your car’s compressor compresses the refrigerant, causing it to turn into a gas. This gas is cooled to a liquid state in the compressor and travels to the expansion valve.
As the liquid refrigerant goes through the expansion valve, it rapidly cools in the evaporator. The fan in your car then blows over the evaporator and cools the air that blows out of your vents. A leak may be caused if the coils (the part that allows the fluid to circulate) are punctured, causing the refrigerant to leak through and affecting the temperature of the air.
If you suspect a car AC refrigerant leak, you’ll want to look for signs such as an unpleasant smell coming from the AC vents or a strange hissing sound. These are common indications that something isn’t right with your refrigerant. Leaving this untreated can be dangerous—it can cause detrimental health complications, such as respiratory diseases, and in some extreme cases, loss of consciousness. So make sure to get a car AC refrigerant leak repair as soon as possible.
Stay Comfortable All Year with City Auto Repair’s Car AC Repair Services
If you want to know where to find that team of car experts, City Auto Repair has got you covered! We are a team of professionals who are licensed and knowledgeable in all things car-related. We find the root of the problem and address it, so you can enter a cool car each time you start the engine. See how our car AC repair services can help you!
