The refrigerant in your car’s air conditioning system is essential to keeping you cool on warm days. However, it can be dangerous if it leaks out of the system due to damage or wear and tear. If your air conditioning has stopped working, several things could be causing the refrigerant leak, so it’s best to have the source of any leaks diagnosed immediately.
An Overview
Car A/C refrigerant is what makes your car’s air conditioning work. The role of refrigerant in your car’s A/C is to absorb heat from the air drawn into the system. As the refrigerant absorbs this heat, it turns from a liquid state to a gas state. The refrigerant is then condensed back into a liquid by the condenser. This cycle continuously repeats itself while the A/C is working. Therefore, refrigerant is the lifeblood of your car’s A/C; without it, you will get hot quickly!
What Causes Refrigerant Leaks
The most common cause of car ac refrigerant leaks is a leaky expansion valve. The expansion valve is connected to the condenser, which turns refrigerant in a gas state back into a liquid state. Over time, the diaphragm can wear out, causing excess pressure to build up inside the coil. This stresses the compressor and the drier, potentially leading to these parts failing before their time. Also, moisture can damage hoses and seals, leading to leaks in the system. Finally, if moisture contaminates the refrigerant, it will corrode the components of the A/C system, causing significant damage.
What to do If I Have a Refrigerant Leak?
If your car’s air conditioner isn’t cooling as well as it used to, see your mechanic before the problem worsens. Remember that your car’s A/C system is a sealed system and, therefore, should be low on refrigerant unless there’s a leak. Your mechanic will need to determine where the leak is coming from because the refrigerant will continue to leak unless the source is detected and repaired. Your technician will use a special UV light to help detect where a leak may be coming from.
See your auto care specialist immediately if your car’s A/C isn’t helping you stay cool. For example, suppose the refrigerant is leaking from the system. In that case, it’s essential to get the source of the leak repaired before moisture gets into the A/C system and causes damage.