Air Conditioning
Why check your Air Conditioning? How much do you rely on your air conditioning system in warm weather? Do you remember the feeling in summer of a warm stream of air coming out of your air vents?
With that in mind, you need your air conditioning system to be working at its optimum level of efficiency.
During the winter months it is quite common for people to turn off their air conditioning. However in doing so any condensation left in the pipe work, together with the heat generated by the engine, provides an ideal environment for bacteria and mould spores to develop.
This may be noticeable by unpleasant odours, or you may find you are affected by sore throats and allergic reactions.
The air conditioning system, like any mechanical system, requires routine servicing to maintain its effectives. The last thing you need is for the system to perform inadequately, draining your engine power or to stop working completely, especially in warm weather.
Useful Information
Air conditioning systems are low maintenance but not maintenance free!
Air conditioning is not seasonal
Prevention is better than cure – the cost involved in repairing air con systems can become expensive.
The most common problem is the loss of refrigerant – most systems have a seepage rate or 10% per year, this increase if the system is not used for long periods of time.
Lubricants are suspended in the refrigerant so a loss of lubrication will have a dramatic effect on mechanical components like the compressor (bearing or seizure).
The evaporator delivers cold air and acts as a wet filter – air passes over the evaporator fins where heat, moisture and pollen are removed before entering the cabin.
Water on the evaporator can stagnate and become a breeding ground for bacteria – to prevent this,
Hylton recommend an air conditioning de-bug service once a year.
Tell Tale Signs
- Nasty smells.
- Grease marks on the windscreen.
- Excessive moisture in the passenger compartment.
- Lack of force from the inlet vents.
- The coldest settings are not that cold.