Air Conditioning Service

A vehicle’s air-conditioning system operates much like a refrigerator. It transfers heat from inside the vehicle to the outside.

Major Air-Conditioning Components

• Refrigerant: Carries heat through the system. Modern vehicles commonly use R-134a, while some older vehicles use R-12 refrigerant, which is more expensive and difficult to find.
• Compressor: Circulates and compresses the refrigerant within the cooling system.
• Condenser: Changes the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid and releases heat outside the vehicle.
• Expansion valve or orifice tube: Reduces the liquid refrigerant’s pressure, controls its flow, and atomizes it.
• Evaporator: Absorbs heat from the air passing across it, allowing cooled air to enter the vehicle.
• Receiver or dryer: Filters the refrigerant and oil while removing moisture and other contaminants.

How the System Works

When the air conditioner is switched on, the compressor pressurizes the refrigerant and sends it to the condenser, which is generally positioned in front of the radiator. The condenser releases heat outside the vehicle. As the refrigerant cools, it changes from a gas into a liquid and travels through the expansion valve to the evaporator.

Inside the evaporator, the refrigerant loses pressure and becomes colder. The blower moves air across the evaporator and into the passenger compartment. This refrigeration cycle continues while the air-conditioning system is operating.

Air-Conditioning Inspection and Service

A damaged component can prevent the system from cooling properly. The cause may range from low refrigerant to a valve or other component that needs replacement.

When a vehicle’s air conditioner is not working as it should, Mainstream Automotive Sales & Service, LLC can inspect the system. The inspection includes the air-conditioning lines, evaporator, and compressor for signs of leaks and wear.