What You May Be Noticing
It worked last summer. Now the air coming out is cool at best, or plain warm in traffic and only cold on the highway. Maybe it blows cold for ten minutes and then quits, or you hear the compressor clicking on and off more than it used to.
Each of those patterns points somewhere different, which is why we ask about them. Cold on the highway and warm at idle is a different fault than cold for ten minutes and then nothing.
What YBE Checks and Repairs
We measure system pressures on both the high and low side and compare them against what they should be for the outside temperature. Those two numbers together tell us a great deal before we open anything.
If the system is low, we look for the leak rather than just refilling it. That means checking for the oil residue that marks a leak point, and using dye or an electronic detector where the leak is not visible. Common spots are condensers, hoses, seals and the compressor shaft.
We also check the parts that are not refrigerant related: cooling fans, the compressor clutch and its electrical circuit, cabin filter restriction and blend-door operation. Plenty of "bad A/C" complaints turn out to be a clogged cabin filter or a fan that is not coming on.
Common Warning Signs
- Air that is cool but not cold, or warm at idle and cold when moving
- A/C works briefly and then blows warm
- Compressor cycling on and off rapidly
- Weak airflow even at the highest fan setting
- A musty smell when the A/C first comes on
- Water pooling on the passenger floor
What This May Include
- High and low side pressure testing against ambient temperature
- Leak detection using dye or electronic detection
- Compressor, clutch and electrical-circuit testing
- Condenser, cooling-fan and airflow inspection
- Cabin air filter and blend-door check
- Evacuate, repair the cause, and recharge to the correct capacity
Why This Should Not Wait
Refrigerant carries the oil that lubricates the compressor. Running a system that is low on refrigerant starves the compressor, and a seized compressor can send debris through the whole system, turning a hose repair into a much larger one.
Leaks also get worse with time and vibration. The seal that is losing refrigerant slowly in June is usually losing it faster by August.
Related Services
Common Questions
Areas We Serve
Based in Capitol Heights, MD, serving nearby Maryland and Washington, DC.
