Category: ac system flush
Most automotive manufacturers recommend closed loop flushing with air conditioning refrigerant as a flushing agent. A benefit of this type of flushing is there is no danger of flush contamination , since the flush agent being used is the correct refrigerant for the A/C system.
Avoid this type of auto ac system flushing
Over the years many different liquids have been used as non-approved flushes for a/c systems. The more common are:
- Alcohol
- Brake cleaner
- Carburetor cleaner
- Mineral Spirits
- Penetrating oil
- R-11, R-12, R-113
- Gasoline
The use of unapproved chemical flushes can result in damage to rubber components in sealing washers, auto ac compressor shaft seals, O-rings and hoses.
At no time should these products be used as a flush agent. If a compressor failure is caused by non-approved flushing agent being left behind in the a/c system, it can void the compressor warranty.
How often should you flush your auto AC system?
When an auto A/C system has become contaminated with air, moisture, flushing agents, the automotive ac compressor oil is contaminated with an incorrect type of oil or from debris from an internal auto ac component failure , or the system has been overcharged with oil, dye, it must be flushed.
What happens if you don’t flush the AC system in your auto?
The debris created from internal auto ac compressor failure can accumulate and become trapped in the various a/c system components , and restrict the flow of refrigerant and oil. When used in a quantity beyond what the dye manufacturer recommends, dye can modify the viscosity of the ac compressor oil and becomes contaminant. Air as a contaminant may cause decreased auto ac cooling performance, create car ac compressor noise, or increase system pressures. Contaminated auto a/c systems may cause hvac compressor failure, air conditioning hose and line damage due to excessive heat and high pressure and overall automotive a/c system performance decrease.
Do you need assistance Flushing your auto a/c system ?
Call Us today ! Our ASE certified mechanics perform all types of auto a/c repairs. We have auto a/c mechanics near you.
Most vehicle manufacturers recommend closed loop flushing with air conditioning refrigerant as a flushing agent. A benefit of this type of flushing is there is no danger of flush contamination, since the flush agent being used is the correct refrigerant for the automotive A/C system.
Non-Approved Automotive AC flushes
Non-Approved flushes : Over the years many different liquids have been used as a non-approved flushes for A/C systems. The more common items are:
- Alcohol
- Brake cleaner
- Carburetor cleaner
- Mineral spirits
- Penetrating oil
- R-11, R-22, R-113
- Gasoline
Automotive AC system contamination with liquid flush agents
The use of unapproved chemical flushes can result in damage to rubber components in sealing washers , compressor shaft seals , O-rings and hoses.
Automotive A/C compressor internal damage
Unapproved chemical flushes when mixed with the auto ac compressor oil , it will alter the viscosity of the oil as well. Any material left behind in the a/c system after flushing will dilute the lubricant and cause performance issues , increased compressor noise and premature compressor failure. If compressor failure is caused by non-approved flushing agent being left behind in the a/c system it can void the compressor warranty.
Do you need assistance Flushing your automotive a/c system ?
Call Us today ! Our ASE certified mechanics perform all types of auto a/c repairs. We have auto a/c mechanics near you.
In the early years of auto A/C repair, system contamination was associated with debris from an internal auto ac compressor failure. Over the years, the types of auto air conditioning contamination have expanded. This would include items such as:
- Metal and Teflon
- Sealant
- Moisture
- Compressor lubricant
- Leak detection dye
- Air
- Refrigerant
- Solvent-based flush agent
- Lubricant additives
- Non-approved flushes
Auto A/C system contamination
Metal and Teflon :Metal debris can be created from any metal component inside the compressor self-destructing , and Teflon can come from the Teflon seals on the a/c compressor pistons.
Sealant: Refrigerant sealers have been used in automotive applications for years. Sealants can act as a stop-leak for auto ac refrigerant lines, or they can act as a conditioner for automotive ac O-rings. When sealant is added to an automotive air conditioning refrigerant system , it remains in solution and when the leak is found , the sealant reacts to moisture in the atmosphere, filling the hole. If air or moisture is present in the auto ac system, the sealant will gel. Sealant can plug an orifice tube, TXV, and tubes in an auto ac condenser or evaporator.
SEALANT USE HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY ANY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR A/C COMPONENT MANUFACTURER. WHEN AN AUTOMOTIVE AC COMPONENT FAILS UNDER WARRANTY, THE WARRANTY COULD BE VOID IF IT IS DETERMINED THE SEALANT CAUSED THE PART TO FAIL.
Moisture: Moisture can enter the auto a/c refrigerant system from three sources- the atmosphere ,contaminated PAG oil or contaminated Refrigerant.
Compressor Lubricant : Automotive a/c Compressor lubricant becomes a contaminant when an incorrect type or a non-approved lubricant is used. Mixing two or more different types of car a/c compressor oils can also create a contamination situation.
Leak detection Dye: When used in a quantity beyond what the dye manufacturer recommends, dye can modify the viscosity of the auto ac compressor oil and becomes a contaminant.
Air: Air can enter the automotive ac refrigerant system from a leak or when an insufficient vacuum is pulled during the refrigerant recharge process. Air can also be introduced into the system through the use of recycled refrigerant that contains air in it.
Refrigerant :Auto A/C Blend refrigerants are not approved by vehicle manufacturers as a replacement for R-12 or R-134a.
Lubricant additives : Unless recommended by the vehicle OEM , careful consideration should be given to the use of any of these products . While some additives may not harm an A/C system, others may have a negative impact on them.
Do you need assistance Flushing your auto a/c system ?
Call Us today ! Our ASE certified mechanics perform all types of auto a/c repairs. We have auto a/c mechanics near you.