Keep cool with Drysdale Motors
Few experiences are more disconcerting than climbing into your vehicle on a hot day, flipping on the air conditioning, and encountering only a hot blast of air. Besides making your driving experience uncomfortable, a faulty car air conditioning system can potentially have an adverse impact on your overall vehicle performance.
When it comes to Car Air Conditioning, Drysdale Motors (AU18848) have you covered. We can offer Regas, Repairs, Service and Inspections for Drysdale and its surrounding areas.
One common problem encountered with car air conditioning systems is inefficient cooling. Signs of a failing air conditioning system include the emission of warmer air than usual, abnormal noises when the A/C system is running, foul smells originating from the vents, and the system shutting down entirely.
If your vehicle's air conditioning system is manifesting any of these signs, it may indicate problems such as a refrigerant leak, blocked/clogged condenser, faulty compressor, or a problematic electrical system. Regardless of the potential cause, the resultant effect is clear: discomfort for the occupants and an unexpected hole in your pocket if the problem escalates and eventually damages the entire A/C system.
Modern vehicles are extremely complex and just like the engine your automotive air conditioning system has components that need to be serviced or replaced on a regular basis to ensure continued reliable and efficient operation.
It is essential to periodically assess the rubber seals for any signs of leaking or corrosion.
Regular servicing of your vehicle's air conditioning system by a professional team like ours at Drysdale Motors cannot be overemphasised. A healthy A/C system ensures that you enjoy cool, refreshing air circulation within your vehicle during hot periods and equally enjoy de-misted windows during the colder months.
Having your car's air con serviced on a yearly basis not only helps prevent costly breakdowns and the build-up of hazardous substances, but it is also economical in the long run, since a well-serviced air conditioning unit uses less fuel.
Additionally, routine checks and servicing provide a proactive measure to detect potential problems that could spiral into costlier repairs if neglected. In fact, the negligible cost of routine maintenance and the convenience of avoiding discomfort greatly outweigh the likely high expense and inconveniences you'd bear when the system breaks down unexpectedly.
At Drysdale Motors, we value our environment, which is why we hold Arctick Authorisation (AU18848) and are experienced in responsibly conducting vehicle air conditioning regas, repairs, services, and inspections.
At Drysdale Motors, we are proud to operate under the umbrella of the Repco Authorised Service, and as such, we're able to offer you a Nationwide warranty on all our services. With this, our valued customers enjoy not just nationwide coverage but also the assurance of quality, due to Repco’s stringent standards. Also, we use high-quality parts as per the manufacturers' specifications, meaning you don't lose your new car warranty. Our trained technicians ensure that every repair service you get at Drysdale Motors meets and even surpasses industry standards, providing you with great value for money.
As a part of the Repco network, we assure you that at Drysdale Motors, our team is ready and equipped with technical expertise, professional experience, and excellent customer service, making us the ideal solution to any issue your vehicle's air conditioning system may face.
Don't wait until the heat becomes unbearable. Visit us at Drysdale Motors today and keep your cool no matter the season. Contact us now for more information or to schedule a service. We look forward to serving you with excellence.
Car Air Conditioning FAQ
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 Drysdale Motors.
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 Drysdale Motors. 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 Drysdale Motors, 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.
