Just too hot to handle!

You have just left a customer’s office and running late for your next appointment. Its over 30 degrees outside and you car’s air conditioning unit just isn’t cooling the interior of your car.

Although most people would like to feel the cold air blasting from their dash vents immediately after getting into their vehicle, it doesn’t work that way. When your car has been baking in the sun for the past 2 hours, it takes a while for the heat to be re-circulated before it starts to feel cool inside. But after 10 minutes, there is still little relief from the car's air conditioning unit. Now what’s the problem?

There are two main factors that will affect the temperature coming from your air conditioning vents.

These include:

1) The most common problem is an incorrect refridgerant charge. The amount of refridgerant in the car's AC system is extremely important as the manufacturer installs the exact amount that is required for the air conditioning system to perform efficiently. A few ounces short can result in inadequate cooling under high heat loads. A sure sign of this situation would be a rapid clicking sound that can usually be heard from inside the vehicle.

Sometimes when people attempt to recharge their car's air conditioning system on their own, they will actually overcharge the system. This can cause poor cooling performance just as much as low refridgerant levels. In some cases an overcharge of refridgerant can causes compressor damage as well as noisy operation.

2) A radiator or a condenser that has been clogged with bugs, dirt, or road debris is another common reason for poor motor AC performance. Reduced air flow through the radiator can reduce the interior temperature by several degrees. This problem only gets worse over time, so have your mechanic clean your radiator and condenser at least once a year.

Although there are other problems that can cause poor cooling these two are the most common. If you think your car air conditioning is not blowing sufficient cold air, ask your mechanic to check for these two problems. One of these two factors may be the source of your problem.

If you have come across another problem that has reduced the performance of your air conditioning system, please share it with our clients on Facebook.