AC COOLING & HEATING

Without the heating and air conditioning systems in today’s modern vehicles, we would all be miserable driving to our destinations. We take for granted the heat that keeps us warm in the winter months, and the cool air that refreshes in the summer time. Let’s take a look at how both systems work to keep us comfortable all year round.

The heater in your car is basically a smaller version of your cooling systems radiator. Hot engine coolant is circulated through a small radiator, often times called a heater core. A fan is positioned in front of the heater core to blow cold outside air over the fins. As this air travels over the heater core, it heats up and becomes the hot air which blows out your heater vents.

Like your engines cooling system radiator, the heater core can suffer some of the same issues. If the heater core becomes clogged with rust or sludge, you will no longer have heat. Also leaks can cause a cabin full of white steam and really mess up your windows. If you smell the sweet aroma of coolant when your heater is on, chances are, you have a small leak in the heater core. Often times the heater core is buried under the dashboard, and replacing it, is a major job.

The air conditioning system in your car is comprised of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. If you have ever used a can of compressed air to clean computer components, you will know that the bottle gets very cold in a short amount of time. This is due to the rapid expansion of the compressed gas. The same thing happens in your car’s air conditioning system. Refrigerant (AKA Freon) is compressed in the compressor and turns into a hot gas. In the condenser, this hot gas is cooled to a liquid state and travels to the expansion valve. As the Freon goes through the expansion valve it returns to a low-pressure gas and rapidly cools in the evaporator. A fan blows over the evaporator and cools the air that eventually blows out your vents.

You vehicle will need service if…

• If your air conditioning blows only slightly cooler air compared to the exterior air
• Air that blows in smells damp, musty, or like mildew and mold
• Your cabin does not warm up in cold weather, or is just a little warmer than outside
• The defroster takes longer than typical to operate, or does not operate
• Your heater or A/C only functions when driving, not when idling, or quits blowing when the car is stationary
• Your heating system blows cold air, or the air conditioning blows warm air
• Low airflow even at the highest fan setting.

A comprehensive evaluation of heating and A/C system includes:

• Examining the internal controls and blower
• Checking radiator coolant operating temperature, hoses, pressure radiator cap and thermostat
• Inspecting the compressor belt
• Inspecting system and seals for leaks or various other damages.
• A cooling system pressure test
• Verifying the A/C pressure meets manufacturer specifications
• Measuring the interior vent air temperature.

Our repair and maintenance services include:

Air Conditioning

Have you been sweltering in your vehicle lately? Perhaps your car’s air conditioner isn’t functioning properly. At Vince Iocone’s we have qualified service professionals who can fix your air conditioner. To have an air conditioning system serviced, repaired, or replaced by experts consider visiting us. You can also call us at 215-639-9851 with any questions relating to your vehicle’s air conditioner.

Belts

A fan belt, also known as a drive belt, is a belt connecting your car’s engine to the front mounted accessories. The fan belt rotates the water pump and engine fan, which maintains a cool environment for the engine and its components. Sooner or later, your vehicle’s fan belts will dry out and crack. When you are ready for a replacement you can count on Steve’s Automotive & Collision Center for all your vehicle’s repair needs.

You not only have to get the belts replaced with quality ones but you should have the work done by experts. To have the belts replaced by auto cooling and heating experts – and get your car driving right – visit Steve’s Automotive & Collision Center today. The mechanics at Steve’s Automotive & Collision Center will thoroughly inspect your car’s belts; replace all worn belts; and adjust the installed belts.

Radiators

Radiators are heat exchangers for cooling your car’s internal combustion engine. A radiator cools the engine by circulating an engine coolant through the engine block – it then loses the heat to the atmosphere through radiation. A radiator has a set of tubes through which the engine coolant flows. Fins surround these tubes. When the radiator fails, the excess heat produced by the engine could damage the engine components. To prevent this from happening, have your radiator serviced regularly. To have your radiator needs handled by experts, visit Steve’s Automotive & Collision Center today.