AC System Basics - EricTheCarGuy

[@henrygonzalez1201]

What a fabulous explanation by using a simple can of dry air to demonstrate the theory of an Air Conditioner, Thank you Eric the Car Guy.

[@michaelburgin9211]

+Henry Gonzalez It goes deeper then that tho, expansion creates a cooling effect. Compression creates heat due to the friction between the molecules moving around (function of ignition in diesel engine), expansion does the opposite. The refrigerant comes from the pump as a hot gas, condensates in the cold condenser then goes as a liquid to the evaporator where it is evaporated back to a gas, the expansion of the evaporation creates the cooling.

[@juanalcala2351]

Coi

[@jononeil500]

This was a very well explained tutorial. Thank you. Your videos are excellent. You explain things and express yourself better and more coherently than 99% of all the University Professors I’ve had while in college. It’s clear that you’re well educated and very intelligent.

[@gmzx3]

The cooling is from the refrigerant changing from a liquid to a gas (phase change) in the evaporator located in the car's cabin. It gets cold in this evaporation process (just like the aerosol can spray). Incoming air is blown over the cold evaporator and it absorbs the heat of this air or the cabin air when on recirculate mode. Being a closed system, unlike the aerosol can, the compressor compresses the refrigerant gas and the opposite happens, it gets hot. It then goes to the condenser in the front of the radiator and it is cooled by the fans or airflow of the moving car. The refrigerant condenses back to a liquid and the cycle is repeated. Refrigerators work the same way.

[@goldwolf0606]

Why does the Freon have to be recharged?

[@henrikax2895]

@@goldwolf0606 Because it tends to leak out

[@ericthecarguy]

@greenlight2600 It is the blower fan just blowing air around without AC this is the way the system operates, it's either fresh air or air warmed by the heater core.

[@mickjager5974]

The real cooling is done by the evaporation process not the pressure change. The pressure change is allowing the evaporation, but the pressure change alone won't cause much cooling. It the phase change, from liquid to gas, that absorbs heat. The high pressure liquid in that can is allowed to escape through the spray nozzle "expansion valve" into the lower pressure atmosphere where it boils into a gas and that phase changes absorbs heat.

[@lowmax4431]

Sometimes you can feel or hear the fluid inside the air can boiling. I had one actually frost up before. Letting the air out of the can lowers the pressure inside the can, which allows the fluid to boil in order to equalize the pressure back to what it was.

[@alexbilderbeck]

Eric, for a while now,I've been taking automotive technology. I stumbled across your videos one day when trying to understand quite a few different things, and even when I needed to hear it a few times. you've helped me perform my first parasitic draw test, to many other tests and helped me better understand how vehicles work. I very much appreciate that you're doing these videos, and hope you'll continue. I'm currently in auto heating and air and this is exactly what we're currently going over, and aside from leaving out the accumulator as an optional component in place of the receiver/drier, it's spot on. once again, thank you for your awesome videos, they've truely helped a lot.

[@ericthecarguy]

@shoja30 Sounds like a restriction in the system, I recommend taking it to a professional.

[@ericthecarguy]

@00Kaporal That does sound like a possible heater core issue which is something you might want to address before the weather gets cold.

[@jay1232000]

Thanks for taking time to create such informative video and sharing your knowledge with the world.

[@mohandasu43]

Sir, your instructions helped my son a lot to save money by doing service by him on his car : 1) A/C , 2) Brake jobs, 3) Oil change , 3) Ignition system service etc, etc , etc. Thank You Mr. ERIC THE CAR GUY. May God Bless you and your Family for the free public educational service given by you.

[@cocoritemassiveify]

Hey Eric i know this is an old post but here goes. I'm putting together a land rover defender-parts from different vehicles. I purchased the ECU, key fob, speedo, main and chassis wiring loom from a donor car that was not ac equipped. Then I purchased the engine and tranny from another donor car that was ac equipped-comes with the compressor. The engine loom fits the ECU. I think my question is after I figure-out the wiring of the ac will I have to download software into the ECU to run the system?

[@ericthecarguy]

@punce777 It could be the recirculate door is not closing properly and allowing outside air to enter the cabin, there could also be an air leak elsewhere but if you don't hear wind noise I would not think that to be likely.

[@MrWhaatay]

The only problem with taking it to a professional is that they will charge you $800 to $1500 no matter what is wrong and it may still not work right. The auto repair business, and especially AC repair is one of the biggest consumer scams and rip offs.

[@garylculver9596]

Cool Eric, thx !

[@cesar7879]

Whatatay T amen

[@Ediburrito]

You have obviously had bad experiences with auto repair shops, but don't label all of us as scam artists.

[@MrWhaatay]

Give me a break. the auto mechanic who doesn't rip you off is the exception and not the rule. some are just dumb especially when it comes to electronics and computers.

[@morrigan99999]

What you can do is to bring it to an AC specialist for them to diagnose what the exact issue is (you DO NOT actually have to actually go ahead with the work they suggest...most wont be offended if you say no thanks and take your car home). Unless you are concerned that the shop is going to intentionally damage something that isn't damaged when you brought it in (I guess it's possible but that really would take a real ass of a shop), at least you'll know what the issues could be. If you feel that the diagnosis is questionable you can bring it to another shop and see what they say. If the 2nd shop says the same thing then chances are it is what it is. NOTE: you can usually find coupons for AC diagnostics service for pretty cheap (i just saw a $9.99 ac diagnostics coupon for Firestone). Once you know what the issue is you can then decide on what to do (with AC's you're kind of stuck unless you live in Alaska or something since you will need it). If it's something like the compressor motor (expensive) you could mitigate the cost by actually shop around online to find a cheaper compressor motor (you want to make sure that you call them personally and give them all the details of your car..year, make, model, trim, engine, auto/manual, etc. so that it's the right part) and then just have the shop do the labor. Could save you anywhere from a $100-$400 right there. The labor probably will still be hefty but at least it's more reasonable if you can save on the part. The shop may have an issue with installing a part you brought in but you can ask the shop if they are ok with that. At the end of the day, they will be making money off the labor so I would be surprised if too many shops would not take on the labor only work.

[@ericthecarguy]

@whoyadady Like with most AC problems you have a leak and you need to address that before you can fill the system again. In addition if it's been empty for a while you need to put a receiver dryer on it as well as vacuum down the system before charging.

[@hed420]

Let's say I wanted to make an ac system using car parts and a 12v electric motor connected to a solar panel for using inside a van while the engine is not running. All I would have to do is mount the condenser outside on top of the roof (with a fan?), and place the rest of the parts inside?

[@bobotkajanjan7243]

hed420 and the fan is not enough to make the condenser cool bcuz your condenser is in the roof haahah sunlight create a lot of heat hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahah

[@SamnissArandeen]

hed420 Some hybrid vehicles run their A/C compressor electrically, from their battery pack. One of those compressors could be your answer. The catch is that you can't use normal A/C lubricant. You have to use a special non-conductive lubricant with an electric compressor. There are also ways to charge your car's battery from a solar panel, and the "engine not running mode" of your system could simply run the existing condenser fan. TL;DR: Your idea's best implementation would be a complete rebuild of your entire A/C system.

[@publicmail2]

+Justin This would never work, it is made to cool a cubic foot highly insulated box like a mini fridge, these junctions are very inefficient as well.

[@dannycool59x49]

it will be only work so long as ram air was hitting the condensor or if you are constantly moving the vehicle

[@marcs3982]

hed420 you would need several horse power to turn the compressor. one horse power equals 745 watts. point is, youll never do it. at least not easily. buy a small used rv system and install that. power it with a generator. good luck

[@ericthecarguy]

@whoyadady I have no idea of the cost but the receiver dryer is a part not a procedure, the evacuation process is the procedure and is done to remove moisture from the system, the receiver dryer also helps control moisture in the system. Moisture in an AC system will ruin it, care must be taken not to introduce any moisture into the system for proper performance and longevity of the AC system.

[@qusayiratrac]

Hi , thanks for video does covering for low pressure pipe after the evaporator to the compressor with thermal insulation material can increase the efficiency of the system

[@fred8945]

Qusay Al-Nassir I second this question. will insulating either hi or lo pressure pipes help the ac run cooler, by keeping the heat from the engine off the pipes?

[@JoeCdaYT]

Qusay Al-Nassir Yes, The side that you would want to cover is where you see condensate(moisture) collecting on the low side pipes. I own a 1992 Buick Park Ave and they put what is called an orifice tube in the low side from the condenser. This is what replaced the expansion valve. Covering the high side lines will not help due to the fact that you are only making the compressed refrigerant that is heated up to stay heated all the way to the condenser. Hope this answers your question. Also R152a is a good replacement for r12. Just do your homework when considering the change.

[@ericthecarguy]

@SuperDriver101 It depends on the heat load an humidity, the rule of thumb is that it should cool about 25º-30º from ambient temp. I covered that in the AC performance test video.

[@renatotodesco]

Hi Eric I have a question for you. I have a honda civic 2008, my air stop working so I went to a auto part and got me a can of coolant but when I tried to service the system would take the fluid. so I took to an ac tech and he told me that is a small leak on the compressor and want to charge me 975 bucks to fix or replaemt of the componant I just toth that the price was incene a 180 buck part. i was just woundering if you could give me or opinion on it. I am an aircraft mechanic and I know I can do the work. thank you

[@530solarpanelcleaning]

+mr42ndstblvd that's illegal, you moron.

[@bobjohnson1587]

+Jose Servin Trump will change that! Lol

[@177SCmaro]

Jose Servin What isn't illegal these days? Besides, you only get in trouble if you get caught.

[@mrfrankcastle083]

An illiterate aircraft mechanic...great.

[@andycheatle1732]

mrfrankcastle083 Worse than an illiterate President?

[@ericthecarguy]

@sn8kecowboy84 It's really just another evaporator set up that is used to cool the rear of the vehicle, they share the same condenser however. The evaporators are like 2 separate units that can operate independently of each other.

[@raycruz383]

Hey Eric explain why you are showing these A/C video on charging your system, when you are constantly telling us to don't work on it and take it to an A/C professional. So are we just watch the video and then let someone else do the work. They can't be for professional because they wouldn't need them. So do we learn how to do with these videos or do we just forget about them and just take our cars to a mechanic.

[@Milkmans_Son]

Maybe so you have some idea of what the hell you're talking about when you take your car in for repair? Ignorance may be bliss, but it's also expensive. Or liability reasons? Or 700,000 views, so maybe the knowledge, capability, and skill set of his audience varies quite a bit? Should I keep going?

[@raycruz383]

Your barking up the wrong yet tree I wasn't knocking on the video just some the comments that he made. In one sentence he is telling you you how to do it

[@raycruz383]

And on the other he telling to leave to the professionals.

[@Milkmans_Son]

And I'm saying there is value in knowing how it's done even if you don't do it yourself. If you're going in for surgery, you want to know all you can about the procedure, right? Will you ever do it yourself? Probably not...

[@weechie357pit6]

Ray Cruz were is the orfice tube on 2005 Buick ."."".?diagram showing it b helpful since it looks it can b anywhere in line

[@ericthecarguy]

@MrKidd1551 Glad I could help, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@smartiegirl59 That is actually a normal condition during high humidity conditions so I would not be concerned, I suspect the smell was from outside the car and just got into the HVAC.

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm glad you liked it, I hope this helped you. To do AC work accurately and responsibly, you really need one of them there 4 thousand dollar machines. I'm going to post a video on common AC problems in the not too distant future as well as a couple of AC "tip" videos. ETCG

[@ericthecarguy]

@MARCOZR1 It's probably mildew on the evaporator. They make products to spray into the vents to help with this, they work for the most part but if you have a persistent problem you would need to remove the evaporator and clean it with soap and water as well as clean the inside of the HVAC system.

[@ericthecarguy]

@foton24 AC problems are often more complicated than people think and require special tools to diagnose therefore I recommend taking it to a specialist to have it diagnosed and repaired.

[@ericthecarguy]

@airmoth Without looking at the pressures I have no idea, in order for it to cool effectively it will need to have the proper pressures and if they are not correct the cause must be found and fixed, you would then recheck your vent temps.

[@ericthecarguy]

@stikOplus63 I'm happy to help, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@crudeoilsystems Glad you like it, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@YTBYTBTB Glad you liked it, thanks for your comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@mrshabazz1 No videos on that yet sorry. If it runs I would say you did it right. I of all people know that there is more than one way to do something, I'm sure you did fine.

[@justliketolook]

First of all I want to say thank you for being here for us. A months ago I had a new condenser installed in my 1997 lexus lx450 . The mechanic used the die colored refrigerant . When I got home I took a look under the truck and I could see some green die liquid dripping from the bottom of the receiver dryer .I wiped it up and could tell it was coming from the top . He said wait till it stopped getting cold in side the truck and bring it back. I took about 1 month for the refrig to leak out .

[@ericthecarguy]

@Usernamebreh Once you have evacuated the system of any left over refrigerant you quite simply remove the components, if you wish to remove the evaporator you will need to remove the dash and the HVAC assembly however.

[@ericthecarguy]

@5000Engineer I'm glad you like the video and my explanation, I consider myself a 'simple' person that needs a 'simple' explanation to understand things so making these videos seems to come easy to me. Thanks very much for your comment.

[@TJjeeper69]

I noticed on the diagram of the ac system during the first 2 minutes you identified the orifice tube, and then the receiver dryer. Orifice tube systems use an accumulator, and thermal expansion valve systems use a receiver dryer. Just to clarify for the viewers so they don't get confused, the accumulator is located on the low side of the system on an OT system. The receiver dryer is on the high side with the TXV located right before the evaporator. Just trying to help out Eric.

[@ericthecarguy]

@spelunkerd At the moment I don't have a recovery machine and as a result I take it to a friends shop for evacuation if I need to. I'm not sure what you would need besides what you described for recovery but I know that recovery machines also have filters in them as well. When working at the dealer we actually reused some of the R134 and I don't recall them ever emptying the tank. With this in mind you might consider the machine to save on the cost of refrigerant.

[@ericthecarguy]

@lrossi888 I don't think it's moisture in the system as the components for heat and AC are sealed units inside of HVAC ducting, perhaps you have a leaking heater core causing you to fog up or your AC is not working properly. Check them both and see what you come up with.

[@ericthecarguy]

@lenzposa Thanks for the comment and good luck on your test.

[@ericthecarguy]

@mtlh05 Sorry I don't have a video on that. Things like that can be a pain and sometimes require the removal of the HVAC from the dash to do.

[@ericthecarguy]

@eltigre2169 Sounds like you might have a leaking heater core. See if your coolant is low and check to see if the passenger carpet is wet, if it is a leaking heater core is a good possibility. Since we are getting into the warmer months you might be able to bypass it by routing the inlet and outlet hoses together at the firewall until you can get it fixed.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Zpe3ddyGonzalexx In principal it is simple but there are many things that come into play during it's operation, any one of those things could cause the system not to work properly. It could be mechanical, pressure, electronic, or pressure related not to mention that some HVAC problems are inside the dash and it's controls. You also have to take into account the specialized equipment needed to service AC systems properly.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Moralvorstellung7 The service manual has that information as it varies according to manufacturer, normally you only need oil after replacing a major component. You can't by R12 anymore and even if you could you would need a license to buy it.

[@brianviney9396]

Thanks ~ very clearly explained , showing the principal using an aerosol can - could relate to that 👍 - (same thing happens inflating a bike 🚴‍♂️ tyre using a CO 2 cannister)

[@ericthecarguy]

@jsdhesmith2011 I'm glad you liked the video, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@ENRIQUEGOITIA Use it well. Thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@409cuin Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@ericthecarguy]

@am2r You may have 2 problems, one could be the cooling fans, make sure they work when the AC is on and the other could be a problem with the idle circuit on the engine. Good luck.

[@ericthecarguy]

@MARCOZR1 Not a clue, in fact I honestly don't understand the question since AC can only flow in one direction. When you say 'actuator' are you referring to the AC compressor clutch? If so it could be a low charge or a problem with the clutch itself. I don't recommend AC work for the DIY as it involves more than most people think.

[@65rdp]

You make good videos.....you get to the point and don't bore the viewers in the process with unnecessary chatter - good work! Thank you...

[@ericthecarguy]

@jiujitsukiller9 I'm very happy to be your study guide. I'm actually working on making more like this too to cover electricity and engine performance issues. Thanks for the comment and good luck in school.

[@ericthecarguy]

@aiyista1988 Yes because AC uses up the engine's power, think of it like going up a hill where the engine needs to use more power to maintain it's speed.

[@ericthecarguy]

This video really wasn't meant to cover much beyond basic AC operation,I wanted to keep it sort. I think I will make one or two in the future about some problems associated with AC to cover topics like fan operation. I love your comments Les, it's like your my editor. :D

[@johnnynoche1387]

I'm in an AC class right now and your method of teaching is very helpful

[@mrafigh]

You rock! I am studying for my liscensing exam and refrigeration of buildings is one part of it. Your analogies and showing parts really helped me understand the components and what they do. Thanks!

[@ericthecarguy]

@nsman06 I've actually shot some AC videos that I have never posted mostly because I don't feel the average person should be working on AC systems because of equipment issues, without the proper equipment your completely in the dark. I do hope to revise the video that I have shot to incorporate the proper methods of AC diagnosis at some point but I want to get my hands on that equipment myself so that I can show the procedure properly.

[@frustrateduser666]

This explanation was perfectly clear. I have been trying to understand the difference between the condenser and evaporator for a while now. Thanks a lot.

[@ottomendez2404]

WHAT A LECTURE, COLLEGE LEVEL . I CAN'T UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT. I TOOK HVAC CLASSES IN COLLEGE SOME YEARS AGO I JUST NEED TO TAKE MY EPA TEST TO BE CERTIFIED, BUT I HAVE NOT DONE IT BECUASE MY JOB PROVIDES ME WITH A DECENT SALARY AND SECURED RETIREMENT, BUT SURE TAKE IT BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. THANKS A TRILLION.

[@ericthecarguy]

@greenlight2600 Not really no. Roll the windows down, if you have a 4 door roll the rear windows down and open the dash vents and it will draw air through without messing up your hair too much.

[@ericthecarguy]

@nijeshps Thanks for the comment.

[@MrTeltel06]

Always appreciate your advice, Eric. I was thinking about taking on this project, but changed my mind after seeing this video. Thanks.

[@ericthecarguy]

@WhiteMargarine It was, you're only suppose to charge on the low side.

[@JPN850R]

LOL good opening. The major reason of A/C failure is not using it during cold seasons. This leads to dried up seals/O-rings, which releases refrigerant (intentional release is illegal in many states). Newer cars probably don't have this trouble as much, since DEFROST automatically turns on the compressor. Some recharge kits are available, but I still recommend having it done by a shop.

[@Rongy3710]

Great video,Just subscribed! just bought a used 2004 Chrysler town and country as a daily driver to and from work. I had planned to add to the low side with a 134A refrigerant kit and I decided to take a look at the condition of the AC system before I started. I found that after the low pressure fill port the line was terminated and ty-wrapped to another terminated line. I have a trusted mechanic and I will now leave this to him to do this job. This is a warning to the DIY's who might try to add refrigerant to their system. WEAR SAFETY GEAR, Glasses and gloves, You can get frostbite from the refrigerant. If I was not able to see that the connection was open and started to do the fill I could have been injured.

[@ronb4332]

Great A/C video's, You've answered a lot of questions others have not taken the time to explain. I hope sometime you show how to replace leaking Schrader Valve's. Great job!

[@ericthecarguy]

This response may prompt me to do another video on AC performance testing, in fact I could probably do an entire series on AC stuff. In this case the "special tool" runs about $4000.

[@da959]

Good video with a lot of useful info.I agree that this is one area that's best left to the pro's.It's way to easy for things to go wrong and turn bad and if you're not ready for it you can get into a world of trouble.That is not the way to spend a weekend.I've been a tech for 35 years and I admire someone who does there own repairs,but some things are best left alone unless you have all the right equipment to do it safely.

[@kylesa1323]

Your videos are great something I would be interested in seeing in the future is how the ecm/pcm reads engine sensors and adjusts gas flow timing etc also a video about transmissions like this one of the a/c it was fantastic with the diagrams and actual parts Thanks

[@bowlingballout]

It was helpful. My Honda CRV (110K) air conditioning is at about 30-40% efficient/cold. My Saturn (125K) is still near 80% of it's coldest. Glad to know that I should let a shop do this. Damn those special tools. :D So many people make a mess of things when they think they "do not" need special tools.

[@johngordon5354]

I'm putting a heater core in my wife's dodge D150, decided to put in a new evaporator since I already had everything apart. thank you, very helpful!!

[@Cullinane2010]

hey uh, my a/c spits our some nasty air when it starts running and the metal parts in my dash are rusting a bit. now i remember you saying something about that and said youd put a video up for that. this would help me out a lot. seriously. your my go to guy when it comes to cars

[@rickwingle5077]

Have always found your videos both interesting and informative.And you cane up the HARD way,just as I once did. Good to see that you have now managed to become quite the celebrity guy,but more important is that you have not allowed this to cause your head to swell and become disgusting. Stay humble buddy and wish your much more success along your path in this life. Keep up the good work,since there are many of U.S. out here that need to hang on to as much as we can and don't mind staying Dirty.

[@GeoffreyAllison0326]

Lots of helpful unknown basics of how ac system works, and other videos of trouble shooting to recharging! What are the symptoms of either the "Expansion Valve (or Orfice Tube)" or "Receiver Dryer" not working? Your video got my ac going in 103 degree weather today! Now my girlfriend wants hers done. Had R14 put in w/ correct pressure, compressor didn't kick on til another Pro vented a bit, cool for a moment but never since. Process of Elimination is what I'm after if you have a sec. Thanks!!!!!

[@Bobherry]

I found myself coming back to this video after 10 years. I am now in HVAC school partly because of this video.

[@ericthecarguy]

@khyber5000 Hard to say really, it could be an issue with the AC system or the idle circuit.

[@ericthecarguy]

First, am I to understand that your AC is not working at all, or is it just not performing well? The #1 problem with AC is leaks that cause refrigerant loss. You can buy a kit that has dye that you put into the system that will help you find leaks. Also, when you reassemble AC components it's a good idea to lubricate the 'o' rings with a little AC refrigerant oil to prevent damage to them.

[@ericthecarguy]

@cxrodformrx Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@Vettejocke]

very good advice and explanation, its true if your not a professional dont touch your system components because you can not only damage your system or the enviroment but you could also hurt yourself . and also as soon as you open the system moisture contamination becomes a big issue as the oils used with the refrigerant act something like silica gel . it absorbs a bitchload of moisture. im an HVAC student gonna get certified in december.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Zpe3ddyGonzalexx AC problems are often more complicated than people expect, as there are many things that can cause poor AC performance besides low refrigerant, I can't offer an opinion without getting a look at it for myself unfortunately.

[@ericthecarguy]

@joli78363 Not on chains but I have a few on replacing timing belts.

[@5000Engineer]

Thanks a lot for this video. I studied mechanical engineering for 5 years and I got 3-5 courses but I can not explain it as simple as you simplified it in the sprayer example.

[@Otilia71]

Awesome video. This is the kind of information worth the time we spend on You Tube. Thanks.

[@ericthecarguy]

@derek032784 To be honest there are so many things that can go wrong with AC it's impossible to say really. I recommend you take it to a professional to have it looked at for a diagnosis.

[@NOBOX7]

hey eric just to expound on the subject of moisture in a ac system what actually happens is the moisture freezes at the expansion valve and clog's it completely closed , this is a common problem in all high pressure applications , nail guns for example have metal hose couplings that do this in winter

[@melfrank8379]

The receiver drier also stores liquid refrigerant for higher heat load conditions, it holds a supply of liquid refrigerant for times when the metering device throttles more refrigerant to the evaporator .

[@johnpro2847]

The expansion valve drops the pressure from a high pressure liquid refrigerant to low pressure liquid refrigerant. In the evaporator the liquid refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas as it absorbs heat from the interior of the car.

[@KoalaBrawler]

Your analogy with the duster can made so much sense.

[@CrashCarson14]

I replaced my compressor, dryer (accumulator) and the condenser last summer. It was a lot of work especially with the condenser and getting the vacuum pump and gauges to refill the system. Wouldn’t recommend but it did go from $1000 that a shop told me to like $350 after I returned the things I rented. I hadn’t ever done it before, and now I feel like I can do about anything car related but all I can say is to take your time and read up on how to do it if you choose. Plan to spend more than it looks.

[@mckoylach1622]

Great video. I remember,I saw a little light bulb mounted on the evaporator,if im not mistaken. What does it do?

[@MrKcarlosk]

Enjoyed your matter of fact approach to solutions Eric. Not sure if you are familiar with the 98 lumina... as it has the ability to rock the engine forward to access the spark plugs in the back near firewall(3.1 engine.) Can using this rocking motion cause a leak in the AC? This is the first question. Next, I have an issue that I have not been able to find a solution on any forum and I challenge your expertise.

[@348frank348]

excellent video Mr Eric the car guy. But you got one little teeny weeny part of the expansion valve wrong. when you press the button on that pressurized can, the liquid inside evaporates and thus wants to absorb heat. the same thing happens when the refrigerant passes through that thermostatic expansion valve at the inlet of the evaporator coil

[@idlecalvin83]

Your videos are very insightful. I just started working in parts and I'm needing to understand a lot of the basics. Thanks bro!!!

[@ReaccionEx]

Wow! Thanks Eric! There are so many videos about AC system. But, this is so easy to understand and well detailed! Thanks!

[@m92singh]

From my limited knowledge, yes the thermostat has a lot to do with it, it's linked with the condenser and the evaporator I believe. So you may want to check it out. All the best and good luck!

[@leethax26]

Check the tension on the drive belt for your A/C compressor. If you have a manual tensioner, adjust accordingly. If you have an automatic tensioner, it may need to be replaced.

[@musicforpeople7452]

3 years ago today, you uploaded a video to help me on this day. Awesome.

[@youruglybuddy]

it depends on the system. you will find a label under the hood indicating correct refrigerant amount and type of oil to use. i'd look up proper service information regarding amount as sometimes there are new technical service bulletins that supercede the amount labeled on the sticker. insufficient oil can cause lack of lubrication to the compressor resulting in failure. too much oil can heavily coat the interior linings of heat exchangers resulting in loss of performance.

[@saturnthefox3971]

great video. i have watched many videos about AC and so far i have found two that tell you using a heat sensor gun to find out where the blockage is located(great) however no videos on how to remove the refrigerant to a container because it can be reused once the blockage is fixed. like whatatay T said they charge you an arm and a leg and still does not work properly, next is the dealer and those guys are expensive. I like to learn so i will do it myself. thanks for your advice though.

[@Trey4x4]

check your txv(orfice) for moisture build up. the txv can freeze water around the orfice and cause a blockage, which in return makes the evaporater heat up and blow hot air. so the (professional) probably didnt take out the moisture while he reacharged ur system. hope this helps

[@shodanxx]

The dust blowing can gets colder because the liquid inside is evaporating, if the can was filled with just a high pressure gas is would not get colder. When you let the gas out of the can, the pressure inside the can is lowered. This new pressure is below the liquid's vapor pressure that room temperature so the rate evaporation is increased. When you close the valve on the can, evaporation continues and pressure rises until it reaches the vapor pressure.

[@bottomline99]

just one note, liquid does not take heat with it when going from high to low pressure, it has to change phase to give or take whats called latent heat. e.g changing liquid to gas requires heat (taken from car), condensing gas to liquid releases heat (given to outside car). the change in pressure forces this action, as the refridgerant cannot remain as liquid in the low pressure evaoporator, or the butane/solvent in your can you have there cannot remain as liquid at atmospheric pressure.

[@dukeman7595]

EricTheCarGuy: Hi I'm a new subscriber. Have a question, My compressor clutch will not engage, i attempted to put Freon in it , however, the system would not take the Freon. Does the clutch have to be engaged to accept Freon ? Thank you.