Quote:

---

Originally posted by Mel06

Hi CD's

The AC in my car is not working well. I need to get some repair work done on it asap. I would be thankful if someone could let me know of any reliable AC repair person or shop near Mississauga/Brampton area.

Thanks in advance

Mel.

---

Hi Mel06,
You say that your A/C in your car is not working well. If it was working before and you had no problems with the vehicle since it last ran, then, a mechanic can look into it, diagnose and find what is causing the problem.

Generally he checks to see if there is any GAS in the system. For this he uses a pressure gauge (A special one)and while running the engine and the A/C with it, which tells him how good your system is before he works on it. If the pressures are upto the required levels, then he knows what the other problem is?

If it is low then he checks to see if it needs an additional charging of the GAS.
He can only add a very little amount of gas as the system only holds a pound or so. (I don't know your vehicle and the number of compressor units in it to keep the vehicle cool)

He also checks out the thermostats and the functioning of the same before you leave. (Some vehicles have them and some are controlled by a knob on the dash)
The A/C in a car has all the required components, such as a compressor, an electrinicaaly controlled clutch which cuts it in and out, an expansion valve, a set of cooling coils with fins, and a colling fan which sends the cold air to the inside of the car, a return line, a trap for liquids and oilsand also dries out the gas, and of course the compressor and an heat exchanger with a fan and a small tank to collect and retain the GAS.
When you want the A/C in your car feeding cold air, and when you select the A/C switch and put it on. it initially starts the fan and also opens the expansion valve. It also puts the clutch ON. This opens and feeds the liquid into the cooling coils in the form of GAS, through the expansion valve.This action cools the coils and the air passing over it brings in the cold Air. This Gas, which is extremely hot after cooling the insides of the car and getting compressed, now needs to be liquified back and for this we use a heat exchanger which is generally situated in front of the RADIATOR, with a fan of its own. This compressed gas becomes liquid again and the cycle continues.
Once in a way the clutch wears out. Some times the compressor conks out. BUT most of the times it only needs an additional charge of GAS. (But what they put in is the liquid) These liquids are called Hydro Carbons.

It generally costs about 80 to 100 dollars and it does not matter where you take it. There are a few a few auto repair shops run by the desis' in and around Wolfdale area or on the Dundas and Dixie area in Missisauga. Some might do it for less. Call them and see if they have time to take you in. Some good mechanics even evacuate the total system and remove allof the non condensable gases and air etc., before they charge, because this makes your system as good as new. Then they hold that status for a few minutes and see if the vacuum is maintained. If it does, then, you have a perfect system to get restarted with again. Since they know how much gas it holds totally they add the exact quantity and monitor the system for the balance of the time and give it a clean bill of health and you drive away a HAPPY CAMPER.
It will do you good to see that the front grill the radiators and heat exchangers are hosed and cleared off all of the DEAD bugs and dragon flies a couple of times during the summer to have a good and working A/C plant.
Hope this helps.
AHHH AHHH what a cool breeze this is. Before the advent of this A/C we used to have all the four windows open and drive at least forty miles an hour to cool our booties. It was then called the four forty system.

Please also go through these questions and answers and try and understand the system as explained.
http://www.aircondition.com/tech/categories/A%7B47%7DC-Basics/

Freddie.