Auto Repair in Longmont for Air Conditioning Black Death
When air conditioning problems arise in a car, they’re generally obvious as airflow can become weak, warm, or non-existent. If reduced airflow is found early on, auto repair in Longmont can help prevent what is known as the “black death”. This doesn’t mean that a virus from 14th-century Europe will harm the air conditioning; it means that a car air conditioner has already gone through a process that has damaged the A/C system majorly.
What Exactly Is the Black Death?
This term happens when the refrigerant breaks down. A refrigerant is used as lubrication for the engine, and when this is gone, it targets the compressor first. After this has worn down on the compressor, mucky particles then find it’s way through the system to target the air conditioner. Instead of producing a weak airflow constantly, this will completely break down the system and cause it to completely stop working.
It is named “black death” because the color of the grime and crud that fuses itself to the system components. Flush machines are unable to remove this nasty coating on the metals of the components. When an air conditioning unit is properly maintained in a vehicle, the original compressor can stand the test of time and never have to be replaced. Unfortunately, when the “black death” hits, this is no longer the case, and the car air conditioning unit must be exchanged.
What Causes Weak Airflow?
A car air conditioner that is displaying weak airflow will show signs by producing a lack of cool air. While this is obvious, there are many causes of this weak airflow.
Since car air conditioners produce an excess of cool air, mold and mildew can accumulate over time. This typically happens in the evaporator core and will prevent solid airflow from reaching the vents. When this isn’t taken care of, over time the refrigerant will break down causing the compressor to accumulate grime. This is a main cause for the air conditioner issue, “black death”.
Another way weak airflow can occur within a car a/c unit is through a hose coming loose. When reattaching this hose, solid airflow is restored. While this is a simple fix, if not found early on, it could damage the a/c unit.
When there’s a leak in the condenser or the evaporator, this can cause refrigerant to leave the unit. If this happens, that means moisture will make its way into the unit and cause mold and mildew. This is one of the many ways the Black Death begins because of a lack of airflow and an underlying issue. Maintenance auto repair in Longmont can help prevent problems before they turn into expensive headaches.
Last, but not least, the seals on each unit can become open. These seals can be found in the core case, evaporator core, and the blower house. When these open up, direct airflow is not blowing, and once these seals are unfastened, the entire system becomes weakened and damaged.
The Black Death is a life-ending sentence for cars and their air conditioning units. Any type of moisture contamination can begin this process, including having bad refrigerant.
