A/C Service: The Heart of the Matter
The heart of the business, feel the heart beat, he has a good heart. These familiar thoughts and sayings all refer to the same thing. Whether it is a figurative or literal reference, the message is the same. There is always a central and irreplaceable part or component or, sometimes, person to all things. This
A/C Update: Bad A/C Blowers & Fuses
On most vehicles, the blower motor typically operates at one of several speeds ranging from low to high in several steps
The Future Of Climate Control
What Role Will Alternative Refrigerants Play? There has been a lot of discussion lately about the future of automotive refrigerants and their impact on the environment. Ozone depletion is no longer the main concern. Now it’s global warming. Last year was the warmest year on record. Average temperatures all across the globe are on the
AC Update: Finding and Fixing Leaks
Finding refrigerant leaks is a major aspect of A/C service. It makes no sense to recharge a leaky system with refrigerant if it will soon leak back out. Ultraviolet dyes can make even the smallest leaks clearly visible. But not all OEMs approve of their use. The domestic OEMs (Ford, GM and Chrysler) all use
A/C Update: Global Warming…Cooling Customers
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the future of automotive refrigerants and their impact on the environment. Ozone depletion is no longer the main concern. Now it’s global warming. Last year was the warmest year on record. Average temperatures all across the globe are on the rise as are ocean temperatures. Arctic
AC Update: Running A/C Diagnostic Tests Before Dash Surgery
I must have worked on Mercedes-Benz automobiles for 15 years before I ever replaced an evaporator. Through the 1970s, we pulled many an evaporator out of 107 and 116 chassis models to repair a poorly designed interior drainage system. The early models had little flappers on two interior tubes that carried the condensation to a
Leak Detection: Becoming Your Shop’s Leak Detective
When a customer’s A/C system isn’t cooling well and the refrigerant charge is low, you know the system is leaking. The question is where? Finding refrigerant leaks on today’s vehicles can be a challenge. For one thing, many of the A/C system parts are buried and difficult to reach. Also, most systems today hold much
A/C Update: Diagnosing Rodent Damage
DuPont Announces the Development of Next Generation Refrigerants
A/C Update: The Logic Behind Automatic Temperature Controls
Many new cars and trucks now have automatic temperature control (ATC) systems that not only regulate cooling but also heating for year-round passenger comfort. Most of these systems have their own computer that may be built into the control panel head, located elsewhere or integrated into the body control module. One thing’s for sure: the
A/C Update: Underhood Service: January 2006
MACS Jumps on the Express Train 2006 Show Preview Although temperatures are always changing, one thing remains constant: hot summers and cold winters bring great volume to the air conditioning, radiator and heater repair business. “Nothing is more important to our industry than the weather,” said Elvis Hoffpauir, Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) president
The Heat Is On…Helping Your Customers and Their Vehicles Keep Their “Cool”
What brings customers in for cooling system repairs? Usually, it’s a cooling system problem. No vehicle will go very far if its cooling system isn’t working. Sooner or later, the engine will overheat – possibly with dire results. Severe overheating can damage the cylinder head, head gasket, pistons, cylinders and/or valve guides. Many motorists don’t
Compressors, Condensers & Refrigerant
Hot weather is just a few weeks away in many areas of the country, and that means plenty of air conditioning service opportunities. Years ago, A/C was considered a luxury. Now it’s a necessity. Automatic climate control systems use A/C year-round for defrost and dehumidification as well as cooling. Even so, it’s hot weather that