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Car service in Nambucca Heads
For fast, friendly car service from a trusted independent mechanic, you can rely on the team at TNT Auto Sparks in Nambucca Heads (MVRL46757)...
Read moreCar air conditioning service in Nambucca Heads
TNT Auto Sparks (AU41602) are able to perform all your Automotive Air Conditioner Servicing, Repair and Inspection needs in Nambucca Heads and the surrounding areas.
Don't be fooled into thinking that taking proper care of a car air conditioning system is a s simple as topping up the gas every now and then. In fact, if the gas does need topping up it is usually an indication of something not right with the air con that needs to be addressed to stop the loss of any further refrigerant gas. This can be harmful to the environment as well as to your hip pocket over time.
Todays vehicles have evolved to become highly complex machines that feature an intricate network of sophisticated components. These parts are delicately interwoven, working together to achieve maximum performance. However, this level of complexity demands that routine maintenance must be carried out to keep them running efficiently.
The engine of a car requires regular check-ups, and so does the air conditioning system, which is often overlooked. This system contains a plethora of intricate elements that work together to provide the cool, comfortable ride that drivers and passengers alike have come to expect.
When the refrigerant level in your vehicle's air conditioning system dwindles, it is typically due to leaks or evaporation. If this occurs, your system's functionality will gradually decrease, requiring a greater amount of energy to operate. As a result, you may even observe a small rise in fuel consumption, particularly if you have a smaller, normally more economical engine, which tends to produce less excess power than it's bigger cousins.
It is worth noting that this added strain on your vehicle can also lead to further problems in the future. Therefore, it is imperative that you monitor your air conditioning system and have it serviced promptly to prevent any negative consequences down the road. Regularly examining the rubber seals, for example, is crucial in ensuring that refrigerant loss is prevented. Thus, it is vital to check these seals often.
Getting your car's air conditioning serviced once a year can actually help you save more than money
By making sure to keep your car's air conditioning system well-maintained, you are not only ensuring that your vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently and with less chance of breakdown, but you are also prioritising the safety and comfort of your passengers. By avoiding the accumulation of harmful substances in the system, you are mitigating any potential health risks that could arise from prolonged exposure to such substances
TNT Auto Sparks in Nambucca Heads will never simply top up the gas, or "Regas" a vehicle air conditioner as the AC of your vehicle is a closed system, so being low on gas means there is a deeper problem.
We only perform proper air conditioner services in which we evacuate the entire system, check the entire system for leaks or damage and repair them as necessary, then completely fill the system with new gas. This is because we know full well from experience that if you have a leaky air conditioner, a simple regas is never the right solution and that by doing an AC service the right way you eliminate the risks of mixing refrigerant as well as the dangers presented by automotive air conditioning systems leaking refrigerant into the atmosphere.
We are also well aware of the problems caused by leaky air conditioners in cars. TNT Auto Sparks care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation (AU41602) to reliably and responsibly conduct automotive air conditioning servicing, repair and inspection.
Book your car air conditioning service with the professionals at TNT Auto Sparks today!
FAQ
Your vehicle ought to be taken to a reputable workshop such as TNT Auto Sparks regularly to make sure the air conditioning system continues performing efficiently as well as having the mechanics examine the condition of the entire car.
How do air conditioners work?
A car air conditioner system is composed of four essential parts :
- A belt-driven pump known as a compressor to compress and circulate gas.
- A radiator like unit called a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid.
- An expansion device, which could be a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube (subject to the kind of air-con system used).
- Some systems have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator performs the same crucial task. Both of these parts also store refrigerant.
Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the car's interior area and transfer it outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. Hot air is passed across a gas-filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car.
The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to extract the refrigerant's heat quickly. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the refrigerant's flow to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the evaporator's cold fins produces the cold air being blown into the car, and the entire process then begins all over again.
Does the car air conditioner use more fuel?
Yes! Your car air conditioning is using fuel. However, it's actually more fuel efficient to run car air conditioning than it is to have your windows down due to aerodynamic drag. If your air conditioning isn't performing its best, it may use more fuel to run. To avoid this, it's important that you have your air conditioning serviced regularly by professionals, like the ones at TNT Auto Sparks.
What's the cause of the bad smell in car air conditioning?
The damp environment can promote microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth inside the evaporator core. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, they have more fins, meaning an increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.
How do I know my car air conditioning is due for a service?
If you cannot remember when your air conditioning was last serviced, perhaps it's time to book in with the team at TNT Auto Sparks. You should also book in if:
- Your air conditioning system is blowing warm air
- There are damp patches or water stains under your dashboard
- Your car air conditioning system smells funny
- Your car air conditioning system is making strange noises
- There is weak air flow from the car air conditioning system
Why does the car air conditioner need to be serviced?
Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the interior area of the car outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid.
The compressor needs the right amount of oil in the refrigerant to prevent it from seizing up. Should the air filters be jammed with dirt and bacteria, it will affect the entire system's performance, and it can even cause it to stop working altogether. On top of inhibiting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause health problems.
Being exposed to the elements and very diverse operating conditions and being used intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause decay of the hoses, connections and seals. A vehicle air conditioning system should be examined regularly to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points.
Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the air filters get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time. It should be recharged as required to keep the air con system in peak running condition.
How often should a car air conditioner be serviced?
Your automotive air conditioning system needs to be examined once a year for any signs of problems with the seals, hoses and connections and confirm there is no refrigerant reduction over time. Regularly servicing your automotive air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard. This, in turn, protects the system from damage and minimises fuel expenditure.
Can I service my own car air conditioner?
Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training, like the ones at TNT Auto Sparks, should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where re-gas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.
Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if mishandled. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.
