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Ever wonder how your car’s air conditioning and heating system work? Here’s a brief and simple description of how your car is cooled and heated and some common reasons they might need repair. Contact us about auto repair Austin. Be sure and ask us about magnaflow Austin.

Cooling – A Brief Overview

The mechanical components of an auto air conditioning system are three basic components: a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. These three components create a looping system that takes the air from inside or outside your car and cools it. It starts with the compressor. The compressor is a usually belt driven pump attached to the engine of your car. In this system, the compressor pumps in the refrigerant gas coming from the evaporator and compresses it. This compression is what causes the gas to cool, because like a compressed air can that you use to clean your computer keyboard, once it is released, the expanding air causes the temperature to drop quickly. Instead of compressed air, your car uses a compressed coolant more hydrothermally fitted for your system. The hot compressed air moves from the compressor to the condenser. The condenser is much like the car’s radiator and is the place where the heat is dissipated, condensing the coolant gas into a liquid. This liquid is released, creating cooler air which is pumped into your car via the evaporator. The hot air inside your car is pumped out at the same time, where it heats the coolant into a gas starting the cycle over again. The evaporator also does the important job of drying the air, removing humidity from your car.

Too Cold? Turn On the Heat
Your car’s heater works like your car’s radiator. Your engine is producing heat, so it’s natural to use that energy to heat the inside of your car. The heater uses a small radiator built into your auto’s system. A fan works to take the outside air and suck it in to this small radiator where it goes over the radiator’s fins and heats up. This newly hot air is taken by another fan to the inside of your car where it keeps you warm. If it is not working correctly then ask us about car repair Austin.

Some Common Repair Issues
Air Conditioner Repair Issues – Since this is a closed system, any leak can cause your air conditioner to stop functioning. It will start cooling less and less efficiently until it stops working all together. You might get what is known as a recharge at this point, where your auto mechanic will replace your coolant. Remember, however, that if your coolant needs to be replaced at all, you have a leak. Have your mechanic check the entire system to fix the leak and to make certain that there is no damage. Another cause for air conditioner breakdown is a mechanical failure in any one of the major components of your air conditioner. You may need to replace a compressor, condenser or evaporator.
Heater Repair Issues – The problems which might occur with your car’s heater could be fan failure, which will be obvious, or a leak in your system. If you smell engine coolant when your heater comes on, you probably have a leak. We can help you with all of your automotive repair Austin needs. We are an Austin Transmission Repair shop too. We are a trusted auto mechanic in Austin.

About the Author: Brandon Adams is the author of man popular articles on the automotive repair industry.