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Smelly Air?

Automotive maintenance is not merely about oil changes or brake checks, it also encompasses the cooling and heating systems within the car, primarily the air conditioning unit.

As Australia witnesses varied climate changes throughout the year, a fully functioning air conditioner becomes an absolute necessity to enjoy a comfortable driving experience. And that's where we come into the picture with our top-notch car air conditioning services.

Les Haldane Mechanical Gawler (AU31510) are the wise choice to manage all your Automotive Air Conditioning Regas, Inspection, Repair or Servicing needs in Willaston, Gawler and the surrounding areas.

One often-asked question is: how do I identify if my car air conditioner needs a service? There are quite a few signs to watch out for, some of them include: diminished cooling efficiency, unusual noises during operation, the A/C takes more time than usual to cool down the car, a foul smell emanating when the A/C is turned on or if there's water pooling inside the car. The most evident of all signs is when the A/C stops working entirely.

Many people underestimate the importance of regular checks on the air conditioning system. Just like any other part of your car, your A/C unit also goes through regular wear and tear, and ignoring its service can lead to significant discomfort during your drive. An inadequately functioning A/C doesn’t only make your drive uncomfortable but also affects the performance of your vehicle. It also enhances fuel consumption and emits a bad smell in your vehicle. For the overall performance and life of your vehicle, it is essential to get your car's air conditioning regularly checked and serviced.

A car air conditioning service once a year means you may help prevent costly breakdowns now and in the future, keep passengers safe by helping to prevent the build-up of potentially harmful substances and a well serviced vehicle air conditioner system actually saves you money because it burns less fuel.

Les Haldane Mechanical Gawler care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation (AU31510) to reliably and responsibly conduct vehicle air conditioner regas, inspection, repair or servicing.

We have tailored services to combat the most stubborn of issues affecting your air conditioning. One of the specialised services we offer is the MiST air conditioner sanitising service. It is a unique solution for the bad smells caused due to bacteria build-up, fungi and other micro-organisms within your car’s ventilation system.

Trust your car's air conditioning service to the professionals at Les Haldane Mechanical. Our technicians are well-versed in handling every type of A/C service, be it a small recharge or an extensive repair or a sanitising service using MiST, assuring you a comfortable ride in every season.

So the next time your car's air conditioning needs a little TLC, don't sweat it - we've got you covered. Book your car air conditioning service with the experts at Les Haldane Mechanical in Gawler today!

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FAQ

How do air conditioners work?

A car air conditioner system is composed of four essential parts :

  • A belt-driven pump known as a compressor to compress and circulate gas.
  • A radiator like unit called a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid.
  • An expansion device, which could be a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube (subject to the kind of air-con system used).
  • Some systems have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator performs the same crucial task. Both of these parts also store refrigerant.

Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the car's interior area and transfer it outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. Hot air is passed across a gas-filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car.

The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to extract the refrigerant's heat quickly. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the refrigerant's flow to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the evaporator's cold fins produces the cold air being blown into the car, and the entire process then begins all over again.

Does the car air conditioner use more fuel?

Yes! Your car air conditioning is using fuel. However, it's actually more fuel efficient to run car air conditioning than it is to have your windows down due to aerodynamic drag. If your air conditioning isn't performing its best, it may use more fuel to run. To avoid this, it's important that you have your air conditioning serviced regularly by professionals, like the ones at Les Haldane Mechanical.

What's the cause of the bad smell in car air conditioning?

The damp environment can promote microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth inside the evaporator core. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, they have more fins, meaning an increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.

How do I know my car air conditioning is due for a service?

If you cannot remember when your air conditioning was last serviced, perhaps it's time to book in with the team at Les Haldane Mechanical. You should also book in if:

  • Your air conditioning system is blowing warm air
  • There are damp patches or water stains under your dashboard
  • Your car air conditioning system smells funny
  • Your car air conditioning system is making strange noises
  • There is weak air flow from the car air conditioning system

Why does the car air conditioner need to be serviced?

Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the interior area of the car outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid.

The compressor needs the right amount of oil in the refrigerant to prevent it from seizing up. Should the air filters be jammed with dirt and bacteria, it will affect the entire system's performance, and it can even cause it to stop working altogether. On top of inhibiting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause health problems.

Being exposed to the elements and very diverse operating conditions and being used intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause decay of the hoses, connections and seals. A vehicle air conditioning system should be examined regularly to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points.

Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the air filters get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time. It should be recharged as required to keep the air con system in peak running condition.

How often should a car air conditioner be serviced?

Your automotive air conditioning system needs to be examined once a year for any signs of problems with the seals, hoses and connections and confirm there is no refrigerant reduction over time. Regularly servicing your automotive air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard. This, in turn, protects the system from damage and minimises fuel expenditure.

Can I service my own car air conditioner?

Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training, like the ones at Les Haldane Mechanical, should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where re-gas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.

Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if mishandled. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.

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