Car AC Condensers: Common Issues You Should Be Aware Of
One thing motorists have come to rely heavily on without giving too much thought about is air conditioning. It’s usually a habit to switch it on, but it’s not something you’d pay much attention to until it stops working.
When you feel like you’re losing your cool in your car – literally – it could be that your AC Condenser is failing. What is an AC condenser, though?
In this article, you’ll find all you need to know when it comes to car AC condensers.
What is a car AC condenser?
The air-conditioning condenser is a radiator in the vehicle located between your car’s grille and the engine cooling radiator. It’s the car’s air-conditioning unit that keeps your car cool and refreshing during the scorching summer months.
How does a car AC condenser work?
When you turn on your AC, a hot gas called refrigerant absorbs the heat from inside your car. This hot gas then flows into the condenser, and as the air passes over the condenser, it removes the heat from the refrigerant, converting it from a hot gas to a cool liquid. This cool liquid is then sent back into your car to cool the air inside the vehicle. Essentially, the AC condenser helps remove the heat from the AC system, allowing it to cool your car inside.
Different types of AC condensers in cars
In the automotive industry, cars can have one of three types of A/C condensers. These include:
- Serpentine condensers
- Tube condensers
- Fin condensers
What are the most common AC condenser issues?
As with most car parts, the AC condenser wasn’t built to last forever, and there’s actually quite an extensive list of issues that can occur with your car’s AC Condenser. Here are a few common issues that you might experience:
Blocked airflow
One of the most common issues with AC condensers is a blocked airflow. To function correctly, condensers need to draw in air. Sometimes, the air intake gets blocked by dirt or something else. This reduces the amount of air the condenser can take in and might cause it to overheat. To avoid this, check that your AC is able to get in the air often. The vent might be in different places on different cars.
Refrigerant leak
Leaks are also a frequent AC condenser issue. Generally, when there’s a leak in the line, the condenser will have less refrigerant to recycle and use, which makes it less efficient and has to work in order to produce cold air. In return, this may cause the condenser to overheat and lead to other issues.
Fan issues
Fans can experience multiple issues that could impact the performance of the AC condenser. They could cease working due to a bent blade, a motor issue, or even a blown capacitor.
For the AC to work properly, it needs consistent airflow. So, should the fan brake in any way, it’ll negatively impact the function of the whole AC, and stop it from functioning. For those who come to the conclusion that the AC has fan issues, it’s best to contact a professional to get the problem fixed.
Dirty coils
Dirty Coils also impact how well your AC will function. If they’re too dirty, this might also cause the condenser to overheat. Luckily, cleaning the coils isn’t too difficult. All you’d need to do is give them a wipe down or brush to clean them. However, if you notice any corrosion or rust around the fins while cleaning the coils, you’ll need to contact a professional to get this sorted.
How often should I replace my air-conditioning condenser?
Here’s good news. AC condensers have a good life span of about 10 to 15 years, so you won’t have to replace them too often. However, during that time, you might get something stuck in the fan or build up dirt on the coils, which would need to be sorted out. So, while you have a decent life span on condensers, you may need to repair it during this time.
What’s the average cost of an AC Condenser?
AC condensers in Australia vary in price depending on the brand of car and type of AC you need. Costs generally vary between $450 to over $1000. For your higher-end cars like Audi or Mercedez, you can expect to spend a significant amount on replacing an AC.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, folks, all the basic info you need about AC condensers. From here on, we hope this info helps you pick out any condenser issues that may arise with your car, and hopefully, you can sort the issue out yourself and save money in the long run. Cheers.
