After driving a vehicle for 6 or 7 years, it’s easy to get used to a working AC and take the cold air for granted. But once your cars AC system shows signs of wear, it is important to take care of it early so that a small repair doesn’t become a large one. It could be as simple as recharging the system with refrigerant and leak seal, but if you are experiencing any of the below symptoms then it is important to have a mechanic diagnose and repair your air conditioner before the problems get worse.
My A/C has weak or no airflow.
You may feel cold air coming out of your air vents, but the airflow is weak and not enough to cool you. This symptom could have many underlying causes including mold or mildew, a loose hose, a bad fan, or leaking seals. An older A/C system is prone to leaks and it’s important that it stays sealed. Once an A/C system begins to leak it can cause much bigger problems further down the road. A broken seal is easy to fix, but replacing a damaged component caused by the leak will be costly.
My A/C air has a foul smell to it.
An odor emanating from your air vents could just mean that your cabin air filter needs replacing. If this doesn’t fix the smell however, then you could be experiencing a mold or mildew accumulation. The cooling process creates moisture that can get trapped and become a breeding ground. This is especially common in the evaporator case when the drain is blocked. If addressed early the fix could be as simple as unclogging the drain, but if that trapped moisture gets into your system then you have a much bigger problem to deal with.
My A/C is blowing hot air.
If your auto AC is blowing hot air, then you might have a leak that needs to be fixed. If you have a slow leak and the system holds a charge for more than 2 weeks, then a leak sealer could do the trick. There are leak sealers for both rubber and metal components of your AC system. The AC system has many mechanical components that can fail and they can be pricey if they fail. The first option you should try to do yourself is to recharge your AC system with refrigerant and a leak sealer, but if this doesn’t work then you should bring your car in for repair.