More on what can go wrong...

Connecting all the various components are pipes and hoses (#'s 5,7,11,13, & 15 in the drawing).  Sometimes a weakness in these can be seen from the outside.  It will look like a bubble on the side of a hose and is just like an aneurysm.  If caught before it breaks a failure will be prevented but the repair will be the same before or after it bursts.  Replace the affected part, any related seals, the drier/accumulator, and recharge the system.  Unfortunately many of these failures are not evident until they occur because the weakness starts from the inside and works its way outwards.

Of course, failure of any one component throughout the system ALWAYS creates the same symptom for the driver.  "My A/C doesn't work again! &%#$@!"

Another problem with A/C systems is proper charge (or load) of refrigerant.  The more you add the higher the overall pressures become inside the system.  If you read through the technical part of this article you know that pressure dictates boiling point and that, in turn, dictates the maximum cooling point.  Too little refrigerant is as bad as too much.  Just like in Goldilocks it must be "just right".

The newest systems are so pressure sensitive that the only way you can be sure of the right charge for the system is to start at a known point (empty) and recharge with an exact amount of measured refrigerant.

There is no way to cover all the possible failures for a system but this should give you some idea of the complexity.  We will be more than happy to help you understand what might be wrong with your particular case.  We will, as always, give you an estimate before making any repairs.

 

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