In countries like Malaysia, the air conditioning in a car is truly a blessing. Keeping passengers cool and comfortable, the cooling function of the aircon is oftentimes a discussion point among car enthusiasts as well as daily users. As most cars in Malaysia are parked outside, often in the sun, the ability to cool the cabin down fast is a feature that is seldom overlooked.
An aircon uses gas, a refrigerant to create the desired effect of cooling the air. An aircon comprises of a number of parts: the compressor, condenser, evaporator, receiver-driver and an expansion valve. There are a few hoses, intakes and outlets that complete the system. The refrigerant that passes through the evaporator changes from a liquid to a gaseous state, which causes a cooling effect. Air is forced through the evaporator and the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air as it passes through. The air that emerges from the evaporator is cooler and drier than it was when it approached the evaporator.
For best performance of your aircon unit in your favourite vehicle, a number of points can be checked and serviced. A good starting point is the belt that drives the compressor. Should this belt have been worn out, as it will over time, it is best to be replaced. Aircons also feature a filter, which will naturally clog up during operation.
German Motors recommends that the condenser be checked and cleaned on a regular basis. While doing so, valves and thermostats should be checked too. As a user of a car, one would notice when the performance of the aircon is dropping: it may be time to schedule a service with German Motors to have the aircon looked over.
As the climate in Malaysia can be harsh on auto parts, the hoses, connectors, sealing rings and piping of the aircon may experience wear and tear. A crack, brittle parts or loose connections may result in a rather rapid loss of the refrigerant. In this case, not only the refrigerant, but also the faulty parts should be replaced. As no piping system is 100 percent leak-proof, the tiniest amount of refrigerant will escape. Over time, the gas present in the system will be depleted to a point where the cooling is no lover effective. If there are no leaks or damages, topping up the refrigerant will solve the problem for many months to come.
In particular, the compressor will be subject to constant stress due to the use of the aircon system. In particular, neglect of care for the other components will impact the compressor negatively. Accumulated dirt and debris within the system can impede airflow, causing the compressor to work harder. Failing to check and replace refrigerant as needed can affect the compressor's performance. It is recommended to follow the maintenance schedule as per the manufacturers instructions to avoid unpleasant surprises when the aircon fails.
From previous jobs, German Motors knows that the repair of a compressor, for instance, is possible, however it is typically ending up being more expensive than changing the complete unit that is defective. In many cases, the modern diagnostics tools can pinpoint accurately if there is an issue and preventive maintenance can be applied.
