The dry spells in Singapore may not be just a typical, yearly affair anymore. According to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), the island is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world—at 0.25 degrees Celsius per decade. And this was reported in early of last year. Now that is some cruel joke. Who would want to be stuck in traffic during a hot day and their car AC is not properly functioning? It’s just torture. So to prevent this, we have put together a list of the most common air conditioning issues and signs that you can look out for.
Before proceeding, you should first check your car’s thermostat setting. It happens to the best of us but it can be fixed by simply changing the setting to cool mode. Also, ensure that your recirculation mode is turned on, so that external hot air will not enter your car. Once you have everything checked yet the air blowing out is still hot, it could possibly be due to:
A condenser’s main function is to remove heat from the liquid refrigerant from the compressor. It cools down the liquid before it is converted into gas that is released from your AC. A common issue that can be found in the condenser is that there might be a blockage somewhere. So first, take a closer look at your condenser unit, usually located at the front part of your engine, and make sure there is no blockage. If you see any dirt or leaves, remove it. You might need to seek a trained AC technician for flushing of the system for any internal blockage.
The other common problem is leakage in any of the condenser tubes. This can lead to refrigerant leaking in the system. However, if there is no leakage, there is a possibility that the condenser unit is broken and needs to be replaced with a new one.
The most common cause of hot air blowing from the AC is the low levels of refrigerant. The refrigerant is the substance that allows the system to get rid of excess heat and allow proper airflow. Leakage can happen at any point when there are parts worn or damaged. The rubber O-rings in your AC system degrades over time with constant exposure to heat and moisture. As it is wear and tear, the parts affected will soon fail.
It is important that you detect the leak earlier. If you delay for too long, moisture will enter your AC system and cause malfunction. In fact, depending on the type of system you have, you can easily detect the source of the leak. Some AC systems are also pre-injected with UV dye which makes it easier to accurately and quickly detect leaks
The air filter protects your AC from dust, dirt and promotes easy airflow. A clean air filter is important as it can properly cool your car. There are a few signs to look out for when your air filter needs replacing. For instance, if you notice that your engine does not start up as easily or jerks roughly, or there are popping noises, it is often because your air filter is clogged. If it is not cleaned, it can cause damage in the long run.
The condenser often comes with a pair of radiator fans to help remove heat from the liquid refrigerant. The radiator fan is a key component of your car’s engine cooling system and if it fails to function, you could potentially risk your car engine from overheating.
Radiator fans can crack if it is hit by road debris going through the car grills, causing damage to the parts. One common sign of a failing fan motor is your car overheating (always check your engine’s temperature indicator on the dashboard). And if you notice there are any cracks on your radiator fans, the only way to fix this issue is to have it replaced.
The electrical issues may be the most difficult one to detect when you are dealing with a broken AC unit. First, you would need a visual inspection of the wiring to see if there are any broken or frayed wires. If there is a sign of damage, you can mend it by sending your car to a workshop. At Carfeels, our electricians are skilled to do this and we can quickly help identify and fix the issue.
Now that you are aware of the potential problems, you can keep an eye out for the signs before a costly breakdown dawns on you. Please don’t ignore the signs because it can cause bigger damage to your car.
If you haven’t sent your car for servicing in a while, do drop by our workshop to get it inspected and fixed. Your safety is our priority!