Since it the summer temperatures are getting, hot, hot, hot, it is the perfect time to work on your air conditioning system. A working air conditioner is essential in these scorching temperatures. If you know how to fix your own air conditioner you may want to consider buying any needed auto parts from a salvage yard. Salvage yards like the one at Orthodox Auto Company, have a large selection of used auto parts in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area.
Fixing a Broken Air Conditioning System
The first and most obvious problem is a lack of refrigerant. Recharging the system will return cool air. However, the refrigerant and oil in the car air conditioning system operate within a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is low, there is a leak that must be repaired. Your technician had several techniques for finding the leak, including the use of dyes to correct the problem and stop the loss of refrigerant.
The compressor is the core of the car air conditioning system. Its job is to pressurize the refrigerant. The compressor is the one component that has several moving parts that can fail in a number of ways. The compressor is powered by the car's engine using a belt drive system. If the belt is loose or broken, the compressor will not spin. If the belt is broken this is one of the auto parts you can likely find at a salvage yard.
The compressor has a clutch to control the flow of refrigerant. Over time, the clutch can wear down or fail for a variety of reasons. The bottom line is when the clutch fails, the car air conditioning system won’t provide cold air.
The condenser is located in front of your car's radiator. As the refrigerant passes through the small tubes in the condenser, it is cooled and releases hot gasses outside of the car. Any leaks, clogs, or damage to the condenser will reduce its ability to cool the refrigerant.
Moisture can build up in the AC system. Depending on the type of car air conditioning system you have, there are several ways to remove moisture and other contaminants that reduce the effectiveness of the refrigerant.
The evaporator is located under the dashboard of your car. Air is blown over the evaporator containing the chilled refrigerant to provide the cool air that blows into the passenger compartment. A worn evaporator will cause poor AC performance.
If you believe you have the skill set to fix your own air conditioning system, consider getting the auto parts needed from a salvage yard, like the Orthodox Auto Company's. The salvage cars in our salvage yard are great sources for low-priced, high-quality car parts. Contact us at 215-608-3270 or buy car parts online with our online database.