With temperatures rising fast and summer just around the corner, more and more people are turning their automotive ac on and asking the question, " will it blow cold this year " . Well if you are lucky enough to own a newer vehicle, chances are that question didnt even come into your mind.

 

As for the rest of us who own a slightly older vehicle, that question becomes more prevalent with each passing year. But if you follow these 7 simple tips, then you will have a better chance of avoiding a costly automotive ac repair down the line.

Before we get started though , I thought it might be helpful if you know the basics behind your automotive ac system. Believe it or not , your ac system is actually a heat pump. It operates under three basic laws;

                                                             1. Heat always travels to cold or a state of  less heat.

                                                             2. Condensation releases or dissipates heat

                                                             3. Evaporation captures heat

Every automotive ac system operates under these three basic laws and if you fully understand them then you will have a better knowledge of how it all works.

Ok, so here they are and I put them in random order, so you can check them however you like.

1. Compressor drive belt inspection. If the belt that turns your compressor is weak or loose , then chances are that the compressor is not spinning as fast as it should. Your vehicle will have either a serpentine belt or a multi rib or v-belt design. Only the v-belt and multi rib belts are adjustable so check them. Check the serpentine belts for damage. Remember to consult with your owners manual or an after market repair manual for the how to's of an adjustment.

2. Inspect the front of the condenser for anything that will cause air flow restriction like dirt, bugs or  plastic bags. Also check for bent or damaged fins.

3. Visually inspect the ac lines for signs of oil leakage, which will indicate a freon leak. 

Dont forget to make sure that you have the port caps on. 

 Also listen to the compressor with the ac running. Is it making alot of noise or does it sound quite. A noisy compressor means theres a problem and it should be inspected by a qualified mechanic.

4. Proper fan operation. All automotive ac systems have to have help moving air across the surface of the condenser to aid in heat dissipation. If you have an electric cooling fan, then check to see if it comes on when you turn you ac on. If it doesnt, then that would explain why you have only cool air blowing out.

5. That musky smell. Most automotive ac systems have a drain tube in the evaporator box to remove water condensation to the outside, but if the tube becomes plugged then you will get a bad smell coming from your vents. Some people see water dripping out from under  their  car and think coolant leak. If its clear then thats what it is.

6. Cabin Filter. If dirty, these little guys can cause a foul odor along with poor air flow. You should replace it every  10 to 15k miles. Its located behind the glove box but once again check your owners manual first.

7. ac output temperature. Invest in a small temperature gauge to find out just what your temp is . This will help determine if the duct is blowing cold enough and this way you will know exactly what it is.

Well, there you have it. I hope these tips have been helpful to you and if you have any more questions on this or anything else, then hit the contact us tab and send me a message, I would like to hear from you. Until next time this is Jeff Williams saying  " Thanks for stopping by "

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