How to perform maintenance on the car air conditioning system
The air conditioning of our car allows us to travel in the cool even with very high external temperatures, but also allows to quickly remove the internal fogging of the windscreen during the winter, by controlling the humidity of the passenger compartment. The system consists of a compressor and exchanger unit equipped with a sealed circuit inside which there is a special gas. In many cars the compressor is driven by the drive belt of the engine and in other cars it is driven separately. After a more or less long period of use, the air conditioning system may present some problems ranging from the most trivial, such as bad-smelling air, to the more serious, such as failure. In any case, even in the absence of negative signals, it is advisable to carry out maintenance on the car air conditioning to ensure the system works properly. Various car manufacturers recommend carrying out this maintenance once a year or every 15/20,000 kilometres.
Things you will need
Vacuum cleaner
New air filter
Car air freshener
Sanitizing product for car air ducts
WD-40® High Performance Silicon Lubricant
Step 1
ATTENTION TO THE FILTER BEFORE CAR AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE
The circulation of conditioned air inside the passenger compartment is controlled by a special pollen filter whose task is to retain fine dust and other pollutants that enter the passenger compartment through the ventilation ducts or open windows. An exhausted pollen filter no longer performs this function, and these potentially harmful agents can be released into the air. In addition to cleaning the air, the filter also performs the function of reducing fogging of the windows and facilitates the operation of the vehicle’s heating/cooling system. There can be two types of filters on the car:
- fibre (or paper): these are the cheapest, and only reduce the amount of dust and pollen in the air;
- active carbon filters: these are more expensive, but they also intercept the harmful substances emitted by vehicle exhausts (such as heavy metals, benzene and more).
Step 2
REPLACING THE FILTER
The filter is placed in a special housing which, depending on the car model, can be located in the front part of the passenger compartment or in the engine bay. Refer to the vehicle’s instruction booklet to locate it. After opening the filter compartment door, the old filter is extracted slowly so as not to tear it. Then it is advisable to use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or other foreign materials inside the housing. The new filter must be inserted correctly (an arrow indicates which side it must be facing) and then the door is closed again.
Step 3
SANITATION OF DUCTS WITH INJECTIONS
Replacing the filter may not be enough to eliminate bad odours that spread into the passenger compartment, caused by a certain deposit of materials along the circulation ducts. To remedy the situation, special perfuming/sanitizing products sold in spray cans can be used. The can must be equipped with the special flexible extension tube that must be inserted into the openings of the vents as far as possible. A little product is sprayed into each vent and then the fan is activated. The operation is repeated again after a few minutes.
Step 4
DEEP SANITIZATION OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ALSO
A sanitization of the ducts and the passenger compartment is carried out using another type of product, again in a spray can. The engine is started with the car stationary, all the windows are closed, and the air conditioning is activated at maximum ventilation. Then the product can is placed on the floor of the car and activated. The can has a delivery lock so that it occurs continuously. The doors are closed (when exiting the passenger compartment) and the entire can is allowed to drain while the recirculation of the internal air causes the sanitized air to carry out numerous replacement cycles. After 10-15 minutes, the passenger compartment can be ventilated by removing the can.
Step 5
INSUFFICIENT OPERATION OR FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
If the air that comes out of the vents with the air conditioner on is always at room temperature, the problem is certainly more significant because it depends on the compressor or the gas circuit it operates. – The compressor is often driven by the drive belt which also drives the water pump and the alternator. With the engine off, visually check for damage and, with the engine running, check that the compressor pulley is regularly activated. If you have any doubts concerning the drive of the pulley you can try treating it with WD-40 Specialist High Performance Silicon Lubricant. In any case, replacing the belt is not difficult and is addressed in the article dedicated to the car alternator. The gas circuit is sealed, but, over time, minor leaks can occur which lower the pressure. You cannot act on this part of the system except with special professional means, so it is necessary to take the car to a service centre that replenishes the gas.
CONCLUSION
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The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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