A car air conditioning system can be broken down to four basic parts - a pump, driven by a belt, called a compressor (to compress and ciculate refrigerant gas), a radiator like unit known as a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid, a heat exchanger called an evaporator to extract heat from the car and dehumidify refrigerant and an expansion device called a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube, (subject to the kind of a/c system used).

Your car air conditioning system is designed to remove the excess heat from the air in the interior of the vehicle then relocate it out of the car, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind to be recirculated. 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

• Make sure air vent temperature is correct

• Assess condenser temperature
  
  
• Check suction line temperature is correct
  
  
• Pulley and drive belt adjusted
  
  
• Validate that valves and thermostats are operating correctly
  
  
• Confirm condenser fins are free of dirt or debris
  
  
• Ensure adequate condition of of hoses and components
  
  
• Evacuation and recharge of refrigerant (where required)
  
  
• Use electronic leak detector to asses system lines and components for leaks

Avoiding compressor seizure is achieved by checking or changing the oil level in the refrigerant. Should the air filters become clogged with dirt and bacteria it will affect the performance of the entire system and it can even cause it to cease functioning completely. On top of inhibiting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause all kinds of health problems too.

An automotive air conditioner should be examined once a year for any signs of failure of the seals, hoses and connections and confirm refrigerant is not leaking over time. Regular service of your vehicle air conditioner 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 means less fuel is being used.

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Your car air conditioning system is designed to remove the excess heat from the air in the interior of the vehicle and sending it out of the car, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air behind to be recirculated. 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 carries out its task much like a domestic refrigerator, there are a few significant differences. As it is mounted on your car, the air conditioning unit is subject to an epic amount of movement and vibration as well as having to perform outdoors.

Being exposed to the elements and very difficult operating conditions and being operated occasionally rather than being 'Always On' can have a detrimental effect on the hoses, connections and seals. Your car air conditioning system needs to be checked yearly while being 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 damp environment can support the development of bacteria, microbes 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.

Gejay Automotive mechanics make use of special ultrasonic technology to ensure the removal of 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.