Although the air conditioning and heating systems in your vehicle are closely connected, they must be considered as two separate systems with their own unique functions. Just like the other parts of your car, you must provide the A/C and heating components of your car with the utmost care and attention to ensure their smooth and long-term functioning. Routine servicing is crucial to ensure that both systems will be in excellent working condition for years to come. Most importantly, scheduled maintenance from an expert auto mechanic in Sydney will help you avoid costly repairs, or worse, replacements in the future.
This may be the first time you realised just how important that the cooling and heating components of your vehicle are. If this is your first time to consider servicing your car to check on its A/C and heating components, here is a multi-point checklist to ensure that both systems are functioning effectively and efficiently. Whether your vehicle’s A/C stopped working altogether or you are suffering from worse heating issues, we will help you determine the cause of the problem and enumerate ways to resolve them.
The Most Common Problems with Car A/C Systems
- Low in Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant level is a common problem that most vehicles in Sydney encounter. A telltale sign of low refrigerant level is the presence of noise coming from the A/C outlets and not cooling at all. Depending on the level of refrigerant in your vehicle, the air conditioning system may blow out cool or warm air, but never cold. Dealing with such an issue during the hotter months of the year can be a frustrating experience. To remedy this issue, you might need to top up the coolant. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you may choose from a R-12 or R-134a coolant.
- Leaking or Clogged Condenser
When the air conditioning unit does not have enough refrigerant to circulate through its system, do not expect cooled air to come out from the vents. Leaks in the condenser can reduce the effectiveness of your car’s A/C system. In addition, crud accumulation at the front end of the condenser will limit the flow of the refrigerant altogether. As a result, the A/C system of your car may start producing irregular noises or may not work unless the clog or leak is resolved.
- Damaged Compressor
The A/C condenser is a component of your vehicle’s air conditioning unit wherein heat exchange transpires, which in turn allows the A/C to get rid of the heat outside. For the condenser to function properly, it is typically placed in front of the vehicle, leaving it vulnerable to damage from external stressors, such as rocks and other debris. If any external substance or stressor ruptures the condenser resulting in leaking refrigerant, it is recommended to replace the compressor as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your A/C system.
The Most Common Heating Issues
- Low Coolant Level
Your vehicle utilises the heat generated from the coolant to provide warmth inside the cabin. In all cases, the coolant is drawn from the engine block that passes through the heater core. Once at the heater core, heat is then transferred to the coolant to the air that will be blown to the cabin. Low coolant levels can negatively impact the overall efficiency of heat evacuation from the main engine, resulting in a significant reduction of heat available at your vehicle’s heater core portion.
- The Presence of Air in the Coolant System
Air traversing the coolant often results in reduced efficiency. By rule, water will require more air from the engine block than air. To that in mind, when the air is trapped within the coolant lines, your cooling system will be unable to evacuate enough warm air to warm your car’s interior cabin. This heating problem is also detrimental to your engine, as it is more likely to suffer from overheating.
- Heater Core Not Functioning Properly
The heater core found in vehicles is made from aluminum or brass tubing material that enables the coolant to be drawn from the engine to facilitate proper circulation. The heat generated by the heater core is blown by fans that helps in dispersing evenly.
The heater core is typically plagued with various issues, including blocked tubing and fan tubing unable to reach the heater core, or the cooler not moving as efficiently within the heating core unit. It is crucial to have the heater core regularly maintained by a skilled Sydney car mechanic.
- Malfunctioning Thermostat
When dealing with a failed or malfunctioning thermostat, you will notice that the heating system may work intermittently or not work at all. The best way to resolve this issue is to replace the thermostat altogether.
The air conditioning and heating system of your vehicle are delicate components that should be handled by experts. Unless you have fundamental knowledge and training about care servicing and repair, it is best to leave the checkup and repairs to an experienced auto mechanic in Sydney. For affordable and comprehensive care servicing services in Sydney, you can always depend on our team at HP Automotive to do a great job for you. We offer a myriad of automotive services, including scheduled maintenance, mir repairs, and major repairs. If you wish to have your air conditioning or heating system or both to get a thorough inspection, you may schedule by calling our direct line on +61299798372 today.