Why Is My Car AC Blowing Hot Air?
It’s 100 degrees outside and you’re trying to get to work but your car AC isn’t doing you any favor. You check the handy AC gauge only to find that instead of blowing cold, it blows hot air. What could be the problem?
For starters, when you see your car AC blowing hot air, you’re most likely dealing with a broken air conditioner, but there could also be a variety of reasons for this system malfunction.
If you’re here looking to understand why this is happening, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help you understand and solve the problem with all our helpful explanations below.
Low on Refrigerant
If your car’s AC is low on refrigerant, it will not be able to cool the air, resulting in hot air being blown from the vents. If the system is old, it may not be able to hold as much refrigerant as it used to and will need to be replaced.
Freon is a necessary component of the cooling process, and if there isn’t enough, the system can’t function properly. There could be a leak somewhere in the system, which would need to be repaired before adding more Freon.
Blockage in the AC System
This blockage could be caused by a debris buildup or a system leak. If there is a blockage, it could be preventing the coolant from circulating hence, the car ac not cooling. This will need to be cleaned out.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant, and if it fails, the coolant won’t flow and the AC will blow hot air. In some cases, the problem can be fixed by simply replacing the thermostat. However, if the coolant is also overheated, then it will need to be flushed and may need a car air conditioner repair.
The Compressor is Not Working Properly
When the compressor is not properly functioning, it is either overcharged or starved for oil. If it is overcharged, the refrigerant will not be able to evaporate properly and will cause the compressor to overheat. When starved for oil, the bearings will overheat and the compressor will seize.
Condenser Is Dirty
Dirty condenser coils are a common cause of car AC problems. The condenser is responsible for cooling the refrigerant before it enters the evaporator.
If the condenser coils are dirty, the refrigerant will not be cooled properly and the evaporator will blow hot air. To clean the condenser coils, you will need to remove the front grille and use a brush or vacuum attachment to remove the dirt and debris.
Car AC Blowing Hot Air: Solve the Problem
If you are in a situation where you see your car AC blowing hot air, there could be some reasons. It could be a problem with the compressor, a blockage in the system, or low levels of refrigerant.
You can troubleshoot the problem yourself, but if the problem persists, you should take it to a mechanic to have it checked out.
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