AIR CONDITIONING – Key to comfort or a budget problem?
As long as the car's air conditioning system is working well, few people pay attention to its most important parts. But if you knew how expensive repairs can be, you would certainly change your approach and maintain it regularly.
The cost of an air conditioning compressor is actually a tragedy for the household budget. A car's air conditioning is a pressurised, closed refrigerant system, like our home fridge or freezer. This means that we do not enter this closed system while it is in use. The system does not open and works perfectly under such controlled conditions. The compressor, as the most important part, compresses the gas long enough to liquefy it, allowing the subsequent change of the aggregate state from liquid to gaseous, thus achieving a cooling effect. The compressor operates long and reliably with relatively modest prerequisites – sufficient gas and oil in the system and no traces of moisture.
When is it time to have your air conditioning system serviced?
The system must be inspected and serviced every three years by a workshop with a suitable service device. It sucks all the gas out of the system, weighs it, cleans it and, if necessary, adds exactly the amount of gas prescribed by the manufacturer at the time of filling. It also extracts some of the oil and adds an appropriate amount of fresh oil. But that's not all. During emptying and filling, the device will create a vacuum. This dries the system and removes moisture that could damage the compressor. Some systems have separate dryers in the form of filter elements, which are replaced in this procedure. This ensures the flow of the condenser, which is attached to the front of the engine coolant radiator, and the evaporator inside the vehicle.
A fan on the radiator, together with a well-functioning condenser and evaporator, protects the compressor. This is the only way to make sure that the gas flow and its transition from gaseous to liquid and then vice versa is smooth, preventing unnecessary strain and overheating of the compressor. As both the compressor and the engine have mechanical moving parts, the friction between them must be kept to a minimum. With increased friction, the load is transferred to the oil and the compressor is more stressed. The oil lubricates less and the amount of gas in the system is reduced. In the event of a gas flow problem, the pressure to which the whole system is subjected quickly builds up, putting unnecessary strain on the compressor. Safety features such as a pressure regulator will stop the system. But why wait for this to happen? Due to the many joints and the partially rubber pipelines, it is expected that there will be a reduction in gas loss over the five years. It should therefore be replaced during regular air-conditioning servicing, which eliminates almost all risk of compressor failure.
Switching on the air conditioning
The compressor is powered by a belt driven car engine so it is important that the belt is well tensioned and the transmission is vibration-free to avoid damaging the compressor pulley. Also, the older types of compressors, which are magnetically clutched and always deliver maximum pressure, experience a shock when they are switched on at high engine speeds. To reduce the load, such devices should be switched on at lower engine speeds. The regulation valve and the control unit gradually switch on newer compressors, so they are not as sensitive. These two components, the solenoid clutch and the control valve, can be replaced as separate parts so that in the event of their failure, the entire compressor does not need to be replaced.
It is dangerous if air conditioning systems are open
The compressor is at much greater risk if the system is already open. Examples include collisions, tinsmith work or the dismantling of individual system components. In these cases, the system is no longer hermetically sealed. In other words, after all parts have been replaced and leaks have been restored, it is very important to vacuum the system
well to remove all impurities and moisture. The presence of these two factors also causes damage to the compressor cylinder walls and other parts, resulting in metal chips in the system. It is this fine metal "sawdust" that is the true abrasive paste that grinds compressor parts, causing overheating and damage. Therefore, timely inspection and servicing of the system, including the correct opening procedure and repair, preserves the compressor and keeps it running smoothly.
How important is all this?
Suffice it to say that the average air conditioning compressor costs between €400 and €700. It costs no less for some models that are not necessarily expensive (e.g. Nissan Note). Its original compressor can cost €2,000 and more. Almost as expensive is the non-original one, which costs €1,600. So make sure you get your air conditioning checked and serviced on time!
Routine maintenance of air conditioning systems
The air conditioning requires regular maintenance even before a fault is detected. A breakdown always means a few hundred euros more in financial costs. It is therefore advisable to check the individual components of the system at appropriate intervals.
EVERY 15,000 KM OR ANNUALLY:
- Check the temperature of the air flowing into the cab,
- Check the system pressure,
- Use an antibacterial spray to remove odours ,
- Replace the cabin filter.
EVERY 30,000 KM OR EVERY TWO YEARS:- Change the coolant and oil in the system,
- Replace the dryer filter,
- Check and replace the drive belts if necessary,
- Check the condition of the pipes and connections, and any leaks,
- Clean the outside of the condenser.