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Baby it's hot in this car....

7/26/2018

1 Comment

 

When summer rolls around and you're rolling around in your car too... your car's air conditioning is a must.  When it's hot outside, it better be cool inside.  Your car A/C temperature should be about 65 degrees farenheit....Not kidding.   But over time,  it can develop leaks or completely fail.  

Here's how to evaluate what might be wrong with your car's AC.

Wierd note:  each car has a certain amount of refrigerant in it from 1 lb to over 2lbs.  Refrigerant comes to us in a container much like you buy propane for your grill and it's expensive and requires professional safety management.  IE. you gotta get certified. 

1.  If your car has fewer than say 5 to 7 years old and not cooling  as it should (65*) it likely has lost some refrigerant.  You might have heard this stuff referred to as 'freon,' which is what it used to be called.    We connect your vehicle via vaccum hoses to a big fancy (expensive) machine that tests the system, puts dye in it and recharges it.  This SHOULD solve your problem.  "But why dye?" you ask.  Great question.  It allows us to identify any significant leaks in the system.  We can actually see the dye spewing out from the hoses and valves that might be leaking.  
2.  If your car is seven to 10 years old or older.  It is possible that the car air conditioning compressor is broken.  Yes, that means big $$$$.  Replacing a compressor runs in the $800 range.  But, you can do some self evaluation by opening your hood, turning on the AC and listening to hear the air compressor turn on and off.  If you do NOT hear that....ugh.... the compressor may be gone.  However, some times you are in luck and the recharge will revive it ...that's why you almost always start with a recharge first.  
Tips
  • If you have a small leak you may be able to recharge the car air conditioning each year in the spring.  It will get you through one season and avoid expensive compressor replacements.
  • Our recharge costs about $179 (2018) depending on how much refrigerant your car/truck requires.  
  • If you have rear AC - your car will require larger quantities of refrigerant ...duh.
  • You can test your AC temperature with an air conditioning thermometer.  They cost about $1.00 at any auto parts shop.
Questions about your car AC problems?  Call us 804-355-6666.


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