Hose Leaks: Car A/C Problems

One luxury that most car owners never skimp on is air conditioning. Once sold as an expensive option, AC is typically standard in modern cars, giving you comfort on hot days. They only require minimal maintenance, unlike other car systems, but they can malfunction over time. Hoses moving refrigerant throughout the AC system may crack or break, causing slow leaks. It is critical to replace these hoses before your system leaks all of the refrigerant out.

A car's AC system, including a compressor, condenser and evaporator, works with circulating refrigerant to convert hot air into a cool breeze emanating from your dashboard vents. Refrigerant enters the compressor, where it is under high pressure. It is extremely hot at this point, but slowly cools as it moves to the condenser. As it moves through the condenser, it loses moisture, effectively cooling the air down. It slows considerably at this point as it crosses the evaporator. A blower moves air across the evaporator, causing a cool breeze. This air enters the car's interior to keep you cool.

You may never realize you have a refrigerant leak until you turn on the AC. A blast of hot air tells you the system is not working correctly. Most refrigerants are clear oils, making them difficult to pinpoint on the garage floor. It is much easier to identify a transmission or engine leak, for example. If your car has hot air as its AC output, turn off the car and inspect the system under the hood. 

Hoses can leak at their connection points or along the main body. Using a flashlight, inspect the hoses for any obvious signs of wear. Hoses with visible cracks need immediate replacement. If hoses are only loose at their connection points, with no damage along their length, tighten them back on. Turn the car back on to verify if the AC system can cool the air. If you get some cool air, it is possible that a loose connection was your only issue.

Replacing Hoses

Any physical damage to the hoses requires replacement. Visit http://www.toolpan.com/AC-Tools.html to find quality hoses at reasonable prices. With the vehicle turned off, simply unscrew the old hoses and place new hoses on the system. Because you have lost refrigerant, however, you still need to add new refrigerant before the system can work efficiently.

Place a trigger-style recharge kit onto the low side port of your AC system. Add a little bit of refrigerant at a time. Periodically check the refrigerant's pressure. Each car has a specific pressure rating for the best AC functioning. You may damage the system if you overcharge it.

Replacing your hoses is just one of the many tools you can use to rejuvenate your car's AC. ToolPan.com is here to support all of your AC tool needs.