Preparing the air conditioner for the cooling season

"Prevention is the best way to prevent major breakdowns and car air conditioning maintenance costs, so before the heat, you should definitely have an inspection at a specialized service.
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Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.
Ažurirano: 19.04.2011. 11:18h
S7 t1
Car: 3.204
NN ADVICE FROM THE MASTER: HOW TO PREPARE THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR HOT DAYS
N Prevention is a condition for effective cooling
Since most drivers only turn on the air conditioning at the first heat, we decided to remind all those who have this device in their car in time what they should pay attention to, so that they do not experience an unpleasant surprise at the moment when they need this device the most.
We sought professional advice from the "Frigomax Vuković" service whose owner is Vlatko Vuković Zetski, one of the most experienced and renowned craftsmen in Montenegro in the field of cooling systems for motor vehicles.
"First of all", says Vuković, "you should know that prevention is the best way to prevent major breakdowns and maintenance costs".
As a rule, the air conditioner should last as long as the car, but if the owner does not take care of it, problems are inevitable. That is why it is recommended that before the arrival of the period of the year with extremely high temperatures, it is mandatory to check the air conditioning in a specialized service.
"The eventual appearance of an unpleasant smell or a hum that is heard when you turn on the air conditioner is a sure sign that intervention is needed." – says Vuković. "The unpleasant smell hides decomposition processes, the products of which the compressor injects directly into the cabin, which is harmful to the health of passengers, while humming can indicate a failure of the pulley bearing, which directly causes damage to the most expensive part of the system - the compressor."
In order to prevent such a scenario from happening, we should check the operation of the system at least once a year. This check consists of checking the pressure in the system and the amount of freon. This procedure requires special equipment, so since we are mostly unable to do it ourselves, we have to go to a service center.
"Each car has a prescribed amount of freon that should be in the air conditioner. A possible shortage of freon indicates a potential leakage point, but it can also evaporate from the system over a long period of time" - explains Vuković. "If there is a lack of freon, the system is topped up with the appropriate amount. Due to the lack of freon, the compressor is also exposed to danger, because it is cooled by the freon that returns from the evaporator".
By the way, newer cars use freon with ecological characteristics R134a, and with it, a precisely determined amount of oil circulates in the system, which has the function of lubricating the internal parts of the system.
Humming of the bearing of the pulley that drives the compressor should be taken especially seriously, as it has very unpleasant consequences.
"Irregular operation of this bearing can over time completely destroy the so-called neck of the compressor, which will cost the owner over 200 euros, depending on the type of compressor," warns master Vuković. "That is why it is very important that this bearing be checked and replaced as soon as the vehicle owner feels that the sound of the compressor is different".
Finally, since we are approaching a period when we will use the air conditioner in the car almost every day, master Zetski advises how to use it without overloading the system: "Basically, the load on the compressor does not depend much on the temperature and fan speed you choose, but it is best for the air conditioner to constantly operate at a low speed and at an optimal, not extremely low, temperature."
"We have already mentioned what is important for the system, and that is the proper amount of freon, the correctness of the parts and the cleanliness of the cooler" - explains Vuković.
BOX 1
car: 416
N Wash the air conditioning radiator
The load on the compressor is also high when, due to external factors, the cooling of the freon in the air conditioning cooler, which is usually located right behind the front fascia, is obstructed. The most common cause of this is dirt and dead insects that get stuck between the cooler cells. For this reason, this radiator should be washed from time to time, but not with water under high pressure so as not to cover the cells, but with a normal stream from the hose.
BOX 2
car: 444
N How to determine the malfunction yourself
"The owner of the vehicle can perform a general assessment of the air conditioner's operation," reveals Vuković. "First you need to get to the two pipes through which freon circulates, which are usually located next to each other in the area under the windshield. He should then touch them to assess the temperature. The wide (intake) pipe should be cold, and the thin (discharge) pipe should be lukewarm. If it's not like that, it's a sure sign that you should go to a master."
BOX 3
car: 994
N System disinfection
In order for the air that you and your companions breathe to be clean, regular maintenance of the air conditioner includes cleaning or replacing the pollen filter, during which it is desirable to disinfect the system. Basically, if you have a little experience and skill, you can do this yourself.
First of all, of course, you need to locate the pollen filter. It is a filter that is located on the opening through which the air necessary for the ventilation of the cabin enters, and which is usually located under the plastic at the base of the windshield. Carefully remove the plastic, then remove the filter. Depending on when you last replaced it and what condition it is in, judge whether it should just be blown out or replaced. Before putting it back, turn on the air conditioner and at the same time spray a special disinfectant spray for a few seconds into the ventilation opening. After that, return everything to its original state. If you are not sure that you can do this, it would be best to entrust the job to a specialized person in the service department.
When servicing the air conditioner
Dangerous to health, or not?
Many of our drivers still think that air conditioning is harmful to their health. This established opinion is the result of lack of information and an extremely free interpretation of the consequences that an insufficiently maintained air conditioner can cause. The first thing that usually comes to mind is the temperature shock that occurs when you step out of a cooled car into the hot sun. More sensitive people experience this very hard, but the remedy for this phenomenon is actually very simple. It only takes a few minutes before leaving the vehicle to turn off the air conditioner and adjust it so that the temperature inside the vehicle is about 7-8˚C lower than the outside temperature. This avoids sudden temperature changes and gives the evaporator enough time to dry. Namely, a moist vaporizer is the basis for the development of bacteria and fungi that start to stink when they multiply and are a source of respiratory infections.
So, the claims of many drivers that their children get sick as soon as they start using the air conditioner is mostly true. A child's body is more delicate, it has a weaker immune system that always succumbs to bacteria, viruses and fungi before the body of an adult. There is definitely a solution to this problem, and it's not expensive either. It is only necessary once every six months, or at least once a year, to carry out the treatment of cleaning the evaporator and exhaust tunnels. This intervention costs 3.500 dinars on average, and it is also recommended to replace the pollen filter. However, all this makes sense only if it is done in a professional service.
If one also takes into account how much the body loses less fluid and precious salts thanks to the climate, it can be concluded that the climate not only does not harm health in any way if it is regularly maintained, but, on the contrary, benefits it. On longer journeys, it significantly reduces driver fatigue and irritability, thus contributing to greater safety.
Is the air conditioner humming? is it dangerous?
Air conditioning is much more complicated and demanding than it might seem at first glance. Most drivers do not use it all year round, so it often happens that the compressor does not have enough oil and gas. Humming and changing sound when the air conditioner is working is a reliable sign that something is wrong with the device. Namely, the coolant is in fact a precisely determined mixture of gas and oil so that, when the mixture leaks from the system, in addition to the gas, oil is also lost, due to the lack of which the most expensive part of the entire system suffers? compressor. It causes more damage to the system: to the filter, drier, and expansion valve, so it requires work to clean the entire system. The driver cannot notice the cooling mixture itself, which is why it is recommended to service the air conditioner regularly. Optimum air conditioning can only be achieved if all parts and assemblies of the air conditioner work together and in harmony. Expensive breakdowns can be avoided by regular use of the air conditioner. It needs to be turned on throughout the year once a week for five minutes, even in winter, when it can help with more efficient demisting of the windows.
Topping up with coolant
Refilling air conditioners with gas can be quite risky, especially since it is done by non-professional craftsmen in our country. Replenishment is often done with inappropriate oils, even freons, which have not been used for car air conditioners in recent years. Namely, it is wrong that only gas is refilled in some service stations. Is it necessary to observe the prescribed oil ratio? gas, which is different for each air conditioner model. Also, it is very difficult to determine the amount of gas and oil in the system. It is extremely important at which point the air conditioner stopped cooling. If this happened while the air conditioner was on, the coolant leaked out on the high pressure side and then there is no possibility to top it up. If the mixture is lost on the low pressure side, then it is possible to refill the system, but only according to strictly established parameters.
The biggest problem is the fact that drivers do not perform a regular, and often not even a large (two-year) service, during which as many as 17 operations of the entire system are examined. It is by no means enough to do only a cleaning treatment. Pollen filter replacement is recommended every 10.000 kilometers. Therefore, air conditioning servicing requires regular and professional maintenance. As a rule, this cooling device should last as long as the car, but carelessness pays dearly.
To begin with, you should pay attention to at least these most important features of the air conditioner. Warmer summers in our region are the reason for the increasing percentage of four-wheelers sold with standard air conditioners. It is important to emphasize that there are companies in Serbia that also subsequently install these systems in vehicles.
Longer journeys represent an increased effort for chronic patients. The doctor's recommendation is that such persons are transported exclusively in air-conditioned vehicles during hot days.

Since most drivers only turn on the air conditioning at the first heat, we decided to remind all those who have this device in their car in time what they should pay attention to, so that they do not experience an unpleasant surprise at the moment when they need this device the most.

We sought professional advice from the "Frigomax Vuković" service whose owner is Vlatko Vuković Zetski, one of the most experienced and renowned craftsmen in Montenegro in the field of cooling systems for motor vehicles.

"First of all", says Vuković, "you should know that prevention is the best way to prevent major breakdowns and maintenance costs". As a rule, the air conditioner should last as long as the car, but if the owner does not take care of it, problems are inevitable.

That is why it is recommended that before the arrival of the period of the year with extremely high temperatures, it is mandatory to check the air conditioning in a specialized service.

"The eventual appearance of an unpleasant smell or a hum that is heard when you turn on the air conditioner is a sure sign that intervention is needed." – says Vuković. "An unpleasant smell hides the appearance of bacteria on the evaporator, the products of which the fan injects directly into the cabin, which is harmful to the health of passengers, while humming can indicate a failure of the pulley bearing, which directly causes damage to the most expensive part of the system - the compressor."

In order to prevent such a scenario from happening, we should check the operation of the system at least once a year. This check consists of checking the pressure in the system and the amount of freon.

This procedure requires special equipment, so since we are mostly not able to do it ourselves, we have to go to the service center. "Each car has a prescribed amount of freon that should be in the air conditioner.

A possible shortage of freon indicates a potential leakage point, but it can also evaporate from the system over a long period of time" - explains Vuković.

"If there is a lack of freon, the system is topped up with the appropriate amount. Due to the lack of freon, the compressor is also exposed to danger, because it is cooled by the freon that returns from the evaporator".

By the way, newer cars use freon with ecological characteristics R134a, and with it, a precisely determined amount of oil circulates in the system, which has the function of lubricating the internal parts of the system.

Humming of the bearing of the pulley that drives the compressor should be taken especially seriously, as it has very unpleasant consequences.

"Improper operation of this bearing can over time completely destroy the so-called neck of the compressor, which will cost the owner over 200 euros, depending on the type of compressor," warns master Vuković.

"That is why it is very important that this bearing be checked and replaced as soon as the vehicle owner feels that the sound of the compressor is different".

Finally, since we are approaching a period when we will use the air conditioner in the car almost every day, master Zetski advises how to use it without overloading the system: "Basically, the load on the compressor does not depend much on the temperature and fan speed you choose, but it is best for the air conditioner to constantly operate at a low speed and at an optimal, not extremely low, temperature."

"We have already mentioned what is important for the system, and that is the proper amount of freon, the correctness of the parts and the cleanliness of the cooler" - explains Vuković.

Wash the air conditioning radiator

The load on the compressor is also high when, due to external factors, the cooling of the freon in the air conditioning cooler, which is usually located right behind the front fascia, is obstructed. The most common cause of this is dirt and dead insects that get stuck between the cooler cells.

For this reason, this radiator should be washed from time to time, but not with water under high pressure so as not to cover the cells, but with a normal stream from the hose. How to determine the malfunction yourself

"The owner of the vehicle can perform a general assessment of the air conditioner's operation," reveals Vuković.

"First you need to get to the two pipes through which freon circulates, which are usually located next to each other in the area under the windshield. He should then touch them to assess the temperature. The wide (intake) pipe should be cold, and the thin (discharge) pipe should be lukewarm. If it's not like that, it's a sure sign that you should go to a master."

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