Introduction

Summers are unbearably hot nowadays and the hottest areas are confined spaces, like your car. It is unthinkable to survive the summer without an air conditioner in the car to blow cool air. However, just like any other machinery, the AC in your car is bound to face some issues at some point and the cooling can be jeopardised. If that happens on an important day, it can have a big impact on you. So it is important that you do not procrastinate to have your car AC checked by a professional, and get it regassed or serviced as required, when they are required. In this article, you will find out what the difference is between the two.

The Mechanics Behind Your Car Air Conditioner

Your car air conditioner, like any other AC, works on a very simple mechanism – the evaporation and compression cycle of a refrigerant liquid. The AC system contains a compressor, powered by a drive belt connected to the crankshaft of the engine. When you switch on your AC, the compressor pumps refrigerant vapour under high pressure to the condenser where it liquifies. This liquid refrigerant is then collected into a receiver to make it moisture-free and is sent to an expansion valve. Here the pressure is released, and it is turned into vapour again in the evaporator. This process absorbs heat from the air inside the car to cool it down, and this cool air is then circulated with a blower fan. The air from outside enters the car in a purified form through a cabin air filter.

What Are Car Air Conditioning Regassing And Servicing

Air conditioning regassing deals with the refrigerant of your car. It is the procedure of removing the old refrigerant gas from your air conditioning system and replacing it with new refrigerant.

Ideally, the refrigerant at the point of installation should survive forever, as it is recycled and used in the AC system. However, if the system is not installed properly, or simply if the car is too old, small holes and cracks may develop giving rise to a leak. This way you lose one of the most important tools in the air conditioning mechanism of your car. Therefore, the cooling goes down. What is more, this leads you to breathe air which is filled with vaporized refrigerant and that can be very unhealthy for you.

It is highly recommended that your car’s air conditioning system be regassed every one to two years. You certainly should not wait for the AC to completely break down before you get it checked. However, you may find car air conditioning regas kits online with do-it-yourself instructions. These don’t work, do not trust it. Take your car to a licensed service centre for getting it safely regassed.

On the other hand, a car air conditioning servicing means getting every part of the car checked for any trouble.

What Is The Difference Between A Car Air Conditioning Regas And A Service

Car Air Conditioning Regas

How do you know when your car air conditioning should be regassed?

There are a few symptoms that you can look for to learn if your car air conditioning absolutely needs a regassing.

• The cooling capacity of your car AC goes down. This is the most common and unmistakable sign that your refrigerant needs to be replaced. Particularly, when the AC needs to struggle a lot to reach the temperature you need, you need to get it checked.
• When there is a refrigerant leak, usually your AC takes more than usual to demist the windows of your car. You need an immediate test of the same.
• Your car air conditioning emits a bad, musty odour. Sometimes your refrigerant accumulates dirt, dust, and moisture; which mix with the refrigerant chemical to give out this smell.
• You hear strange banging, rattling, or grinding noises coming from your car air conditioning system.

What Is Included In A Car Ac Regas?

An air conditioning regassing involves recharging or replacing the refrigerant, as mentioned earlier. The leaks in the refrigerant liquid are also identified by looking into the low and high pressure of the system. This tells you if your refrigerant liquid needs to be recharged or replaced. If it is found that the low and high temperatures are within the specified limits, and no refrigerant leaks are found, then there is no need to add the refrigerant. As already stated above, the refrigerant liquid is not consumed during the cooling process, so if the refrigerant is added unnecessarily, the operational efficiency and reliability of the AC may be compromised. However, if the temperature readings are completely out of control, the liquid must be checked.

While in service, whatever refrigerant is left in the system is decanted, the refrigerant system is vacuumed at a negative pressure to remove any moisture, and the system is pressurised with nitrogen to reveal any potential leaks.

Every car has a precise measure of refrigerant that keeps the AC going. So after the leak is checked and moisture is vacuumed out, that exact quantity of refrigerant suitable for the car is added to the system. In order to have the moving and rotating parts run smoothly, an appropriate amount of lubricant oil is also added to the refrigerant. Professional car air conditioning regas services nowadays apply a special type of dye that shines under the UV light, so that you can spot any leaks later all by yourself.

Car Air Conditioning Servicing

How Do You Know When Your Car Air Conditioning Should Be Serviced?

• The air filter in the car air conditioner needs to be checked regularly as it can absorb both dirt and moisture. It is this component which purifies the air from inside and ensures its smooth flow. A dirty air filter not only weakens the car air conditioner’s performance, but once it is dirty or damp, you would be breathing in the same air full of dirt or mould when you are inside the car. Moreover, experts say that cleaning and/or replacing filters once per month will lower your AC’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%. If you find a smell of old sweat, it could mean your cabin’s air filter may be worn.
• If you receive a burning smell, it means that the wirings need to be replaced immediately.
• If you notice your mat being visibly wet, it is an indication that your dashboard is leaking and can create further damage to other components. You need to check it immediately.
• Insufficient lubrication or maintenance may lead to failures in the compressor, so you need to inspect it frequently.
• Pressure wash the AC condenser at least once in every three months to dramatically improve your air conditioning’s cooling.
• Another valuable component, the TX Valve, controls the flow of refrigerant through the air conditioning system depending on the demand for cooling. This also requires a regular check-up for your AC to have smooth performance.
• Check for the regular signs of a refrigerant leak as well.

What Is Included In A Car Ac Servicing?

A car air conditioning servicing involves testing everything related to the air conditioner for any issues:

• The air conditioning system is let on, and the temperature is checked.
• The entire system – the drive belt, hoses, pulleys, compressor, and condenser – everything is thoroughly inspected.
• A diagnostic check of the system is performed using a scan tool.
• The refrigerant liquid is also checked for leaks and recharged or replaced, as required.
• Functioning of the control switch, pressure switch, blower motor, thermostat, and compressor clutch are checked.
• The air filter is thoroughly cleaned. In case it is found too dirty, it is replaced with a new, fresh one.
• The TX valve is checked as well, and if found faulty, it is replaced.

Conclusion

A car air conditioner that has been serviced at the right time will keep you company for a long time, and would not betray you at the time you need it the most. So follow the tips above and keep an eye on the components. Having said that, no matter what, do not try to find a DIY Car Air Conditioning Regas Kit, it can end up damaging your AC rather than fixing it. Whenever you see any of the symptoms, or at least once every year take your car to a certified, authorised, and well-reputed car air conditioning ragas centre or a service centre, and have them take a look at the parts of your car. You will only be thankful for the advice.