Cobra Motors are well placed to take care all of your Car Air Conditioner Re-gas, Repair, Service or Inspection needs.

You should take your car to a reputable workshop such as Cobra Motors (AU37150) on a regular basis to ensure the air conditioner system continues performing at its best as well as having the mechanics evaluate the condition of the entire car.

Repco Authorised Service mechanics perform a 65 point Vehicle Inspection with every service and are often able to provide a warning about any items that may need renewal in the near future or those that are already worn beyond repair.

Cobra Motors care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation (AU37150) to reliably and responsibly conduct automotive air conditioning service in and around Sunshine North and the surrounding areas.

A car air conditioning system can be classified into four basic parts - the compressor, a belt driven pump to compress and circulate refrigerant gas, a radiator like unit known as a condenser to release heat and condense gas to a liquid, an expansion device, which could be a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube (dependent on the type of air-con system used). Systems using orifice tubes also have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator to perform the same crucial task. Both the accumulator and receiver-drier are also used to store refrigerant.

A vehicle air conditioner system is designed to absorb heat from the air in the interior of the car and transfer it out of the car, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. Hot air is passed across a gas filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car.

The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to quickly extract the heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the flow of refrigerant going to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the cold fins of the evaporator produces the cold air being blown into the car and the entire process then begins all over again.

A typical air conditioner service may include some of the following items;

• Air vent temperature inspection
• Check condenser temperature correct
• Ensure suction line temperature correct
• Corrections of drive belt and pulley
• Check that valves and thermostats are operating correctly
• Clean the condenser fins
• Ensure good condition of hoses and components
• Evacuation and recharge of refrigerant (where required)
• Electronically inspect system lines and components for leaks

Checking or changing the oil level in the refrigerant helps protect the compressor and stop it from seizing up. If the air filters are obstructed with dirt and bacteria it will affect the performance of the entire system and it can even cause it to quit working completely. Along with reducing air conditioner performance, dirty air filters can cause all kinds of health problems too.

A car air conditioning system needs to be checked for problems annually for any signs of decay of the seals, hoses and connections to make sure refrigerant is not being lost over time. Regularly servicing your car air conditioner keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard and this in turn protects the system from damage and results in a reduction of fuel consumed.

A vehicle air conditioner system is designed to absorb heat from the air in the interior of the car out of the car, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid.

Being exposed to the elements and very stressful operating conditions and being used occasionally rather than being 'Always On' can cause issues with the connections, hoses and seals. Your air conditioning system should be examined on a regular basis to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points.

Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the filters of the air con get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time and should be recharged where required to keep the air con system in peak running condition.

Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to be able to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where regas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.

Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if handled incorrectly. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.

The core of the evaporator can be the perfect breeding ground for microbes, bacteria and even fungus due to the moist conditions found there. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Newer type evaporator units tend to be more efficient, yet have increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.

Cobra Motors mechanics can use specialised ultrasonic technology to ensure the destruction of any micro-organisms that may cause unpleasant smells or health concerns.

Just ask about our MIST service, which will kill any bacteria that may be lurking in your car's air system. These bacteria can cause odours and even make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. A MIST service doesn't just make your car smell better - it makes it healthier for you and your family.