How Long Does Freon Last In A Car

Does a Automobile'south A/C Freon Eventually Run Out?

by Tom Male monarch

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Nigh machine owners simply accept the fact that the Freon™ in their automobile's air-conditioning system will accept to be recharged periodically, every bit though this were an inevitability. Many drivers assume their air conditioning organisation consumes coolant oil much as the engine uses fuel. Actually, a car'due south air-conditioning organization can run for years without recharging if properly maintained.

Freon

Freon is the brand name of a type of air-workout refrigerant gas manufactured by DuPont Chemicals. Other brands of R-22 refrigerant gas are made past other manufacturers. Over the years the chemic structure of these refrigerant gases similar R-12 or R-14 have been replaced in general usage in response to environmental regulations by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Refrigerant Gas

Your car'south air-conditioning system compresses refrigerant gases into a liquid, then releases the gas through a radiator-like evaporator coil. The sudden expansion of the gas chills the evaporator coils. This draws rut from air passing over the coils and out through the air-conditioner vents inside the automobile, cooling the interior of the vehicle. Refrigerant gas does not "wear out" similar oil nor is it used up similar fuel. In a properly sealed organisation the gas can continue beingness compressed and released over and over, so long as information technology doesn't leak out.

Causes of Gas Loss

The within of an engine compartment, where the air-workout system operates, subjects the hoses and connections of the arrangement to extremes of temperature and vibration, too every bit contact with pollution, road crud, fuel, oil, and annoying and corrosive substances. Over time, these factors intermission downward the hoses and connections, causing the pressurized refrigerant gas to leak out.

Symptoms of Gas Loss

Y'all volition likely first notice refrigerant gas loss when your air conditioner stops cooling equally well as information technology should. At depression levels, the evaporator coils tin water ice up. Refrigerant gas ofttimes has a dye tag that may testify up effectually hoses and connections equally a red fluid. Chronic low levels of refrigerant gas tin cause the air-conditioner compressor to heat up and harm it permanently.

Maintenance

A relatively small loss of refrigerant gas tin reduce the efficiency of your air-workout system dramatically. A 10-pct loss of refrigerant gas tin reduce the efficacy of your air conditioner by 20 percentage or more. You lot can prevent this loss past having your system checked annually prior to the commencement of hot weather. Take lost refrigerant gas replaced by professionals. Overcharging the system can be every bit damaging as chronic refrigerant gas loss. Some auto Ac professionals recommend evacuating the organisation and refilling it every three to four years in guild to test for leaks.

Legality

Acquit in mind that federal -- and many state -- laws prohibit the knowing release of Freon into the temper. If your auto has a leak, you lot are legally obligated to have the leak repaired earlier recharging the system.

References

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