Compared to some of the other systems in your vehicle, your car’s air conditioning system isn’t all that complicated. The system has several different necessary components, but at the end of the day, the whole system really relies on its refrigerant level. If the refrigerant—which is responsible for creating cold air—is too low, the system won’t work at all.
Your car will retain its refrigerant for much longer than you might imagine. Although some is lost naturally over time, your refrigerant level should theoretically stay about the same for years. Unfortunately, AC systems aren’t perfect and can develop leaks over long periods of time. If these leaks start to happen, your refrigerant level will plummet, and your AC will begin to fail rather quickly.
Unless you want to ride around in a hot car all summer long, you’ll need to bring your car in for automotive repair in Madison, TN if your AC system begins to leak. Here are a few of the causes of those potential leaks:
- Age: Even though the outside components of your AC system are made of metal, rubber is used for hoses throughout the system. Over time, rubber starts to degrade and runs the risk of eventually failing completely. If the rubber degrades too much, you’re bound to have some leakage. Bring your vehicle in to a professional and let the mechanic take a look at your system to see if there are any signs of extremely degraded rubber.
- Moisture: If the rubber hoses have any holes in them, there’s a strong possibility that moisture will eventually get into the lines. That’s not good! Any moisture in the line can create a type of acid when it comes into contact with the refrigerant. The acid mixture will travel throughout the system and wreak havoc on other components of your vehicle.
Even though we now know what causes leaks, that’s nearly useless information unless we know the symptoms of a leak. Here are some of the most common:
- Visual evidence: The easiest way to tell you have a leak is by simply looking down at the ground. If you see a puddle under your car, there’s a strong possibility that it’s refrigerant spilling out from your AC system.
- Weak or warm airflow: There’s no point in turning your AC to full blast if it barely puts out any air, or just blows hot air in your face. If your refrigerant is too low, the system won’t be able to create cool air, so all you’ll be left with is heat.
Your AC system can begin to fail for reasons other than just refrigerant leaks. If you become uncomfortably hot while driving this summer, it’s time to bring your car to Madison Muffler & Auto Repair for expert automotive repair in Madison, TN. We’ll be able to diagnose and correct any problem with your AC system and get you back on the road in no time flat. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment!