Common AC Issues
Most AC problems can be traced to moisture entering your AC system in one way or another. When this occurs, so do many AC problems, such as:
Weird smells: When too much moisture gets into your AC system, it can cause mold growth. If this fungus gets started, you can get a burst of awful smells in your face. It can occur from a damp or dirty cabin air filter or a clogged drain in your evaporator case.
Little or no airflow: As with the funny smells from a moldy filter, moisture in the evaporator core of your AC system can facilitate mold growth or the accumulation of dust or other debris in this crucial component. These foreign substances can block airflow to your vents. Other problems stemming from this can be a restriction of airflow in the evaporator core itself, or it can also mean a failure in the blower motor.
Full of hot air: If your cool arctic blast of air is more like the warm Santa Ana Winds, then you may have a major problem related to water in the system. When water gets into the AC system, it can combine with the refrigerant and produce a strong acid that, over time, will begin to dissolve certain components in the AC system, like the rubber seals that prevent the refrigerant from leaking out. If leakage occurs, it will inhibit your AC’s ability to cool your vehicle’s cabin.
As stated above, if you are experiencing problems with your AC system, it is most likely related to moisture in the system that has accumulated under certain conditions. In the same vein, if your AC is working well, you probably want to keep it that way, and the best way to ensure that it continues to function is with regular maintenance. Over time, as in any system in your vehicle, the components of your AC system will begin to wear out, O-rings get stretched out, fittings loosen, seals and hoses deteriorate, and you no longer feel that refreshing icy blast of air on an oppressive and humid day.
How Often Should I Have AC Service?
Like all systems in your vehicle, your owner’s manual will provide a recommended schedule for AC maintenance according to manufacturer recommendations. If you lost your manual, ALM Hyundai West recommends that you have the AC inspected at least once a year to prevent issues. If your AC is not properly maintained, it can lead to some very expensive repairs later, like low refrigerant levels that can damage your AC compressor and require replacement.
