A/C Service in Cincinnati, OH

Your car’s air conditioning (A/C) is usually one of those functions you never think about until it stops working properly. Being caught off-guard by an A/C malfunction isn’t the end of the world, but it’s definitely uncomfortable. You can avoid this by having it serviced regularly at our certified dealership.

What Are Your A/C Unit’s Components?

You can get a better understanding of how an A/C unit works by reviewing its major components. The main parts that make up your car’s A/C unit are listed below.

  • Refrigerant: Did you ever wonder how your A/C unit cools the air it pumps into the cabin? It does so thanks to a special fluid called refrigerant, which maintains a cold temperature while in a liquid state and cools the air as it passes through the A/C system’s coils.
  • Compressor: As its name suggests, this component compresses the refrigerant, turning it into a hot gas. This allows your A/C system to store larger quantities of refrigerant.
  • Condenser: This component takes the compressed gas, turns it back into a liquid, and cools it.
  • Evaporator: After the condenser turns the gas into a colder liquid, the evaporator turns it back into a gaseous state and cools it further.

How Does Your A/C Unit Work?

After the compressor condenses the refrigerant and converts it to a hot gas, it reaches the condenser. There, the gas is cooled and reverts back to a liquid state. It then travels to the evaporator through an expansion valve, turning back into a gas and becoming even colder. From then on, the car’s fan system blows air through the cold coils, cooling it and blowing it out into the car’s cabin.

What Happens When You Have Your A/C System Serviced at Our Dealership?

Consider visiting us whenever you feel that something isn’t quite right with your A/C system, or you want to have it serviced to avoid surprises. We know your vehicle better than anyone else and have dedicated advanced equipment that helps us detect any existing or potential problems. We’ll also use genuine components to replace faulty ones. An A/C maintenance operation typically includes the following:

  • Replacing or topping off the refrigerant: Over time, your vehicle’s refrigerant liquid loses some of its properties. Our certified technicians will check its condition and either top it off or replace it altogether.
  • Checking the A/C compressor: Compressing the refrigerant takes considerable pressure, and having an issue with the compressor is a common cause of a faulty A/C unit. Our team will check to see if the compressor is working at full capacity and will fix it if it isn’t.
  • Checking the cooling fan: There’s no point in your A/C unit producing cool air if the fan can’t pump it into your cabin. Our technicians will check if the cooling fan is functioning properly.
  • Looking for electrical issues: A faulty wire or fuse may cause your entire A/C unit to malfunction. An A/C maintenance job usually involves checking the unit’s electrical system.

What Are Some Common Signs Your A/C Unit Isn’t Running as It Should?

These are some of the most often-encountered symptoms that may indicate an issue with your A/C unit and their likely causes.

The Unit Is Pumping Air, but It Isn’t Cold

This is one of the most common A/C-related problems. It’s usually caused by a leak that causes the system to lose refrigerant. Unlike other leaks, such as oil or power steering fluid, refrigerant leaks are a bit harder to spot because they immediately evaporate when exposed and don’t leave an obvious trace. Our experts will check by adding a fluorescent leak detection dye and then using a blacklight to check for any signs of leaks.

The Air Only Cools Slightly

This may also be caused by a lack of refrigerant in the system, but there can be other issues. A common one is a faulty condenser that can’t properly turn the refrigerant back into a liquid. If it’s damaged or blocked, it may still produce slightly cooler air but not at an acceptable level. If you have your A/C unit serviced at Performance Kings Honda in Cincinnati, our experienced technicians will fix or replace your condenser if they conclude that your A/C unit isn’t working as it should.

Your A/C Unit Emits a Weird Smell

If turning on your A/C unit releases a funky smell in your vehicle’s cabin, it may be due to bacteria or fungi growing in its system. This can happen if you don’t turn it on for several months, giving various microorganisms time to develop. A simple solution may be to replace the car’s air filter. If that doesn’t work, our team will introduce a special anti-bacterial substance into the system to eliminate unwanted smells.

There’s No Air Coming From the Vehicle’s Ventilation System

This is a common problem, but the cause isn’t as straightforward as the others. The easiest obstacle to fix is a faulty fuse or relay that stops the motor that helps blow air into your cabin. A more serious cause may be an issue with the motor, which may require a replacement. If you’re experiencing this difficulty and visit our dealership, our technicians will also check for other potential causes, such as a blocked air intake outside the vehicle or damage to the system’s hoses and belts.

You Hear a Noise When Turning on the A/C Unit

If you hear a noise you haven’t heard before when turning on your vehicle’s A/C, it’s vital to turn it off immediately. Although the cause may be simple such as dried leaves entering the air vents, it may also be caused by a component malfunction. Since leaving it on may cause more damage, we recommend you turn it off and schedule a service visit as soon as possible.

A car with a working A/C unit can make any trip more comfortable, especially in the summertime. If you think your unit may not be functioning as it should or simply want to prevent any future issues, visit us at Performance Kings Honda and we’ll help keep you cool.