When the condenser leaks, depending where and how big the leak is, all of the high pressure refrigerant can and will eventually leak out, disabling the entire AC system. If the readings are very high then you may have a problem with air trapped in the system or an airflow problem with the condenser. Step 2: Install the gauges. You are either too low on freon, you have a power/ground issue meaning the compressor isn’t receiving the signal to turn on, or the clutch itself is bad. The purpose of the compressor is to pressurize the air conditioning system and circulate the refrigerant. When performing any air conditioning system service you must have the proper tools - and exercise caution when using them. This blocks the required circulation from happening. AC Orifice Tube / Expansion Valve. Step 2: Restart the engine and turn on the air conditioning. Step 2: Disconnect low side gauge. The first probable cause is that the condenser began leaking. Pressure gauges can be used to check the refrigerant charge. YourMechanic All rights reserved. Step 6: Turn the fan to Medium. The Condenser radiates the hot refrigerant gasses that have entered from the compressor, reducing its temperature and pressure, turning it into a liquid that moves on to the A/C Dryer. If you suspect you’ve got an AC condenser leak, there are two ways to check. Install the gauge set by locating the high and low side quick connections. It’s also possible for the leakage to occur when physical damage stems from road debris or rocks. Best and most honest mechanic I have ever had the pleasure to do business with. Ideally, there should be no breeze or wind. You must check the owner’s manual before adding more oil. However if the fans do not work properly the vehicle will overheat. How Much Power Does the AC Draw From the Engine? The fans are designed to turn on when the engine reaches a certain temperature. Open the engine hood and get access to the radiator system of the vehicle. Nissan Altima - Car AC Repair - Apopka, Florida, Such a cool dude . Having a Car AC condenser leak is a very common problem. Warning: Never add anything but the recommended refrigerant to the AC system. If there is pressure but the reading is below 50 psi then the system is low and may just need to be recharged. Just fixed it today . If your outside condensing unit keeps losing power and tripping the circuit, … If there was not pressure found during your test then the system is empty and there is a leak. Connect a pressure gauge to the low side of the AC compressor, typically found on the firewall passenger side in the engine compartment. It consists of the following components: Component 1: Compressor. Step #3: Listen for a rapid beep as a sign. Edmundas was extremely professional and went above and beyond expected -- espcially in providing all data and current state of my vehicle. Its purpose is to change the pressure in the air conditioning system from high pressure to low pressure. At the dealerships, we’ve had many customers force us into a flush. As the internal parts disperse, the metallic debris ends up throughout the entire system. This is usually done through the low pressure service port. First, start with a visual inspection. A failing AC low pressure hose may cause a lack of cold air from the AC system. While I realize this is a pain, it’s the only way to ensure that your air conditioning works properly. The pressure sensor for the system also presents a popular place to find leaks check at the base and at the electrical connector. Reason 3: Moving parts. You need to determine if there is refrigerant in the system. This will be the place where the condensers are located in most of the vehicles manufactured these days. Typically, this results from a defective or failing compressor that breaks apart. Circuit Breaker Tripping. If a small leak is present, you may be able to repair it with a Stop Leak product. Turn off the engine so that the moving parts under your hood are stationary. The biggest sign that you have a clog other than the pressure check is a foul smelling odor during air circulation. Below are the most common causes of poor air conditioning performance and what can be done to get you comfortably back on the road. While it might look like an easy solution, be forewarned, you might end up with bigger problems. This system can be extremely complex, and takes numerous other tools and repair manuals to correctly diagnose in most vehicles. When a clog is apparent, you have the option to attempt a flush or replace the condenser. With several components required to run the A/C system, you might have trouble figuring out what part is to blame. In many cases, it is especially noticeable if one is standing outside of a car with the A/C running. Component 6: Refrigerant. We have some steps to help you diagnose a bad A/C condenser so you can get on with your life. If the reading is zero you have a major leak. An AC clutch compressor is a type of compressor that derives its power from the car engine’s flywheel. What Happens When Rack and Pinion Goes Out? When adding refrigerant to the system you want to take it slow as you do not know how much it actually needs. Your Your engine runs on combustion â fire â which creates exhaust gases. What Gases Does the OBD Detect in the Exhaust? Consider checking your vehicle in a garage to be certain no outside factors affect your readings. Component 4: Metering device. After all, who wants to arrive at work drenched in sweat? Most of the time you won’t see these leaks unless you look very closely. A wide range of gases are produced during normal operation, and they must be controlled because many of them become pollutants when released into the atmosphere. The condenser is located in the front of the radiator and is used to remove heat from the refrigerant. See if the temperature of the air coming from the main dash vents is cold. You won’t be able to try this method with evaporator or compressor front seal leaks. When in doubt, seek the help of a professional for further guidance. One is used by us mechanics at the dealership and the other method works well at home. The feature of a clutch is to rotate and if the rotation is prevented in any way, the compressor will not work. Your vehicle’s compressor, powered by the serpentine belt, compresses the refrigerant into a liquid, putting it into a high-pressure state. Please see our, Jeep Grand Cherokee - Car AC Repair - Waddell, Arizona. If you finish your leak testing without any incident, your next step is to look for a clogged condenser. There are seals on the part that leak with normal wear and tear. But periodic testing of the condenser in the car might (sometimes) disclose a deteriorating condition before it actually fails. This will keep the idle the same... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. And still champion. Component 3: Evaporator. The idle is not supposed to increase in speed when your compressor engages, rather the throttle plate should adjust at the same time the A/C engages to maintain the same RPM at idle. Turn on the AC. Step 7: Check the air temperature. Inspect the clutch located at the front of the AC compressor and make sure the clutch rotates freely. Voltage is not sent to the clutch when the air conditioning is turned on due to an open circuit in the electrical circuit. Step #2: Watch for leaks to appear. This might lead to a false reading. I will definitely request William in the future. Reason 2: High temperature. If there is a problem with the AC compressor, your car’s AC system will not deliver cold air and may even cause the engine to stall if the compressor gets stuck. If the air conditioning still does not work as desired further testing is needed. Allow the dye to works its way through the system. Typically, all systems today contain R-134A refrigerant. Repairs covered by 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. Warning: You must have a special license to legally service an air conditioning system. Itâs... Hey there. Check for power AND ground to the compressor. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. You have to examine this is your AC is ineffective. If you don’t receive any alerts to a leak, you want to adjust the sensitivity settings and scan again. Nissan Altima - Car AC Repair - Oviedo, Florida. He also told me about future minor repairs that should be made & prepared a Quote for me that I could review in my account. When a shop performs this duty, they use a machine that pulls the refrigerant from the system, weighs it, and then allows the technician to add the exact amount of refrigerant back into the system. In this situation, you might need more than a condenser, but also the tubes, receiver dryer and compressor. It’s also possible to purchase Freon dyes that utilize a black light. If the belt is slipping, you’ll probably hear some squeaking or squealing noise. Compressor Replacement. P2613 OBD-II Trouble Code: A/C Refrigerant Distribution Valve Control Circuit High, How to Troubleshoot a Small Engine Problem, Symptoms of a Bad or Failing AC Low Pressure Hose. Read the parts below to understand the different conditions that you may see: When performing your initial check, if air does not come from the center dash vents or if the air is coming from the wrong vents (such as the floor or windshield vents) then you have a problem with the interior climate control system. Compressor – This unit compresses and brings the refrigerant to circulate in the system. The compressor clutch will usually be located under... 3. Next, check the compressor control circuit to make sure power is getting to the clutch. Find the condenser inside the protective cover beside the radiator grille. The condenser tubes can’t be replaced, so you need a new condenser if it cracks or breaks. These higher pressures are noticed on both the high and low side. The AC orifice tube / expansion device filters and regulates the … Below is a guide on how you can check your AC system’s pressure readings with the use of a pressure gauge, as well as a detailed explanation of what certain readings mean and the best way to fix the problem your car might be dealing with. You have now filled the system with refrigerant. Get your tools gathered and start the hunt. The compressor of the AC system is likely to have specifications regarding the amount of oil to be added. William did an awesome job & explained the repairs to me in lay terms. In most cars the air compressor is … Step 1. You will need to not drive the vehicle if it is overheating since you may do engine damage if you overheated it. ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist. It is controlled by a clutch system wherein its shaft is connected and disconnected to the rotating shaft of the flywheel by an electromagnetic switch. Over time, the condenser can begin to leak either due to age or damage. More up to date systems are computer controlled and use numerous other inputs including vehicle interior and exterior temperature to determine whether or not to turn the compressor on. The purpose of the system is to remove hot air from the inside of your vehicle. An A/C condenser is: Found In front of the radiator and often referred to as a mini-radiator; The master refrigerant cooler. If the system was empty then it will need to be fully evacuated and recharged. Step 6: Reach desired pressure. So, it is equally important to check those leaks. Step #1: Make sure the system is full of Freon. It's located at the front of the engine and is typically driven by the main drive belt. You have to ensure that the clutch is rotating without any difficulty. Most store-bought refrigerant kits come with their own charging hose and gauge that allow you to add refrigerant yourself. This would need to be diagnosed separately. The condenser which is positioned in the front of the vehicle is subject to small rocks and other road debris which can easily get damaged and will leak. If your AC system has either quit working or has stopped working well, you're faced with driving your vehicle around with the windows down - which brings little relief when it is hot outside. 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