When summer temperatures rise, you look forward to a cold AC to cool you off. If you have a car AC not working, you want it fixed ASAP. In St. Louis, MO, your friendly Ford dealer can repair it for you. These are a few of the signs that your AC is experiencing problems.
Damaged Compressor
Your AC compressor starts when you turn on your AC, and it switches on and off during the cooling cycle. A compressor is a very robust component, but it’s also sensitive to long periods without use. During a Missouri winter, no one uses their car AC. These several months of inactivity can cause damage to the compressor. To keep your compressor in good condition, we advise switching it on for a few minutes at least every two weeks.
A prolonged refrigerant leak can damage the compressor. Refrigerant is the gas that allows your AC to chill the air. It changes between gaseous and liquid states and back again during your AC cooling cycle. Leaking refrigerant reduces the system pressure and causes your compressor to work harder than it should. This extra strain can lead to further damage to the compressor.
Refrigerant Leak
As we saw above, a refrigerant leak can have serious consequences for your AC. Refrigerant, or R-134A, operates under high pressure. It’s compressed into a liquid by the compressor. The liquid is then pushed through the system to absorb heat from the cabin and chill the air. This cycle of compression and decompression continues as your AC works.
The liquid refrigerant evaporates in contact with the air, and refrigerant gas is invisible. Our technicians use a UV chemical dye and a special UV viewer to trace the path of the refrigerant through the system. This dye allows us to pinpoint the source of the leak so we can repair it. Once the leak is repaired, we’ll refill your refrigerant.
Blocked Condenser
The condenser’s job is to cool the refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat, and the condenser cools the refrigerant by using the incoming airflow from the grille. The condenser can become blocked by leaves, dirt, and other debris which is drawn in through the grille. This type of blockage is easy to spot, and our technicians can quickly clear it.
Your condenser can also be damaged by debris from the grille, as gravel and other hard material enter the grille at speed. We can examine your condenser for signs of damage and repair or replace it.
Your AC is important for your driving comfort. If it’s not working like it should call us at Schicker Ford of St. Louis.
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