We often spend a lot of time in our vehicles going to and from work, social engagements, and running errands. When those spring and summer months hit, the Texas heat can be a miserable factor in accomplishing these tasks if your air conditioner is not working properly. That dreaded moment you realize that something isn’t quite right as the temperature rises to the high 90’s is enough to stop you in your tracks to figure out the problem. There are many different symptoms of AC issues in your vehicle, and here is a general list of clues to help you find a solution.
Weakened Output of Air
If you start to realize that your AC is starting to decrease in cold air flow slowly over time, you want to pay attention as soon as you notice the symptoms. This is likely due to a leak somewhere, and there are many different locations in your system for that leak to be. It could be the freon leaking out of the hose, seal, or other mechanical component, it could be a vacuum leak, you could have a failed or leaking evaporator coil, a clogged refrigerant hose, and whole bevy of other potential issues. Because there are so many potential causes to your AC beginning to fail, your best bet is to get your vehicle to a professional mechanic as soon as possible. If a leak is left to unpatched, it can cause a greater problem that can cause more damage to your vehicle and will end up costing more unnecessarily down the road. Don’t let the moisture from a minor leak develop into a bigger problem and bring your vehicle in today and let us diagnose and solve your AC issue!
Musty Odor
If you start to notice an odd mildew like odor coming from your AC vent in your vehicle, there are a few problems that could be causing it. It is likely that you have developed mold in your evaporator case due to a faulty or blocked drain. If you notice an order start to develop when your AC is on, get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as you can. While it might a little excess water and might not seem like an immediate threat, if left unchecked, you are opening the doors for more damage and higher cost of repairs.
Blowing Hot Air
There are few things worse than warm air being continuously blown out of your vent on a hot day. You know that critical moment of realization as you turn your car on and it initially blows warm air out but then it never seems to cool down. You start to panic at the thought of a muggy and uncomfortable drive to your next destination, arriving all clammy. It’s a problem that again, might be caused by an array of issues. This could be the result of a bad compressor clutch, a bad or clogged expansion valve that will result in the refrigerant getting blocked which could cause the valve to freeze and break all together, or again, this could all be caused by one of those pesky leaks stated earlier.
Because your vehicle’s AC is such a complex working system, if you experience any of these symptoms and you are not positive of the cause, the best thing to do is to take your vehicle to your trusted mechanic. Poking and prodding around or adding the wrong size piece of equipment or chemical could end up costing you way more than the initial issue. By allowing your mechanic to address the issue, you are saving yourself the hassle and potentially a lot of money down the road!
More Tips from Our Texas Auto Center in San Marcos
Is your vehicle’s A/C not working properly? Check out our A/C repair page to see how we can help. Or for more tips on troubleshooting vehicle issues, check out our list of reasons your check engine light might be on. You may also be interested in our guide to why an oil change in San Marcos TX is so important for your vehicle. As always, don’t hesitate to stop by our auto repair shops in San Marcos, Kyle or Buda for personalized advice and service!
