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Your car's air conditioning system is divided into two
sides, known as the high side and the low side. |
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The compressor, beginning at the high side, functions like
a pump, moving the refrigerant through the system. |
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The expansion valve, which begins at the low side,
restricts the refrigerant flow, creating the pressure
differential the system needs to ensure the increase and
decrease in temperature and boiling point. |
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Climate Control |
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Inspection
Process
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Your A/C system consists of four major
parts which provide cooling for the passenger compartment.
The industry generally has two different system designs.
These designs are identified as expansion valve or orifice
tube type.
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The
compressor,
mounted on the engine, is the pump which circulates the
refrigerant through the system, transferring the heat
from the passenger compartment to the outside. The
compressor is the most important and expensive component
of the A/C system.
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The
condenser
transfers heat removed from the passenger compartment to
the outside air. It is located in front of the radiator,
just behind the front grille of the vehicle.
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The
evaporator,
located near the dash or firewall, transfers the
passenger compartment heat to the refrigerant so it can
be sent to the condenser.
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The
dryer
absorbs any excess moisture from the refrigerant.
Flexible hoses transfer the refrigerant
both to and from the engine-mounted compressor and other
system parts which are mounted on the vehicle body. The
flexible hoses can be a major refrigerant leak source. The
system also has many connections which require rubber
seals which need to be checked for leaks. |
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