A broken air conditioner on a hot Texas summer day is not a pleasant thing. Let’s face it, in this climate, air conditioning is sometimes more than just a comfort feature.
When it stops performing properly, then it is time to have us check it out. We have state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and expertly trained technicians ready to pinpoint why your vehicle's A/C system is not working – regardless of the manufacturer. We were one of the very first shops in Austin to offer Frigic, a lower ozone, less volatile depleteing freon, We offer R134-A in addition to FR12.
UGH! THAT dreaded leak.
With the high pressure and temperatures of freon, external conditions, and normal wear, the AC will eventually leak.
When freon leaks out, pressure is lost. Then air and moisture contaminate the system. Like the weakest link in the chain, one major leak fixed can put additional strain on smaller, susceptible spots.
HOW IT WORKS-The VERY basic Thermodynamics of AC
You probably already know all of this but have never really thought about it.
Heat is energy, and cold is the absence of heat (energy).
Molecules are never static, so everything contains heat. (Scientists calculate -459.67 degrees F to be absolute zero, but have yet to been able to achieve this theoretical state.)
Heat always moves from a warmer object to a colder object.
When you put ice cubes in your drink, the liquid do not pick up coldness from the ice. Instead, the heat that the liquid contains travels into the ice so that the drink loses heat and the ice gains it.
Heat can be created by a temperature differential between two objects or substances. Energy (that’s heat, remember?) will travel from the warm object into the cold one until both their temperatures are equal.
Cold does not emit from the evaporator of your air conditioner. The heat in the air inside the car travels through the evaporator into the refrigerant, which carries it to the condenser where it dissipates its energy (heat) to up the atmosphere.
"It just needs a little freon..."
CHARGE, RE-CHARGE
Because freon cools (or removes heat) by the circulation through the AC system, if there is a lack of refrigerant, there can only be one reason: a leak. All freons are ozone depleting chemicals governed by local and federal mandates.
Charging a system can only be done after it has been evacuated and leak-tested:
1. Charging a leaky system is akin to filling up a leaky gas tank: it’s simply irrational.
2. Evacuation is necessary to remove contamination of air and moisture.
3. It is the law.
AUTO AC
Automobiles generally have two types of AC — expansion valve or orifice tube type, but they work pretty much the same…
The COMPRESSOR, mounted on the engine, compresses the freon from a gas state into liquid and pumps the refrigerant to the compressor and beyond. This is the most important and expensive component of the A/C system. From there the freon goes to the condenser. It is lubricated with special oil and is equipped with safety switches to prevent internal damage.
The CONDENSER transfers heat removed from the passenger compartment to the outside air. It condenses freon from the gas-state back to the liquid state. The condenser is a radiator-like (often located in front of the radiator, just behind the front grille of the vehicle.) unit made up of coils. Freon then travels on to the Expansion/Orifice Valve and then into the Evaporator.
The EXPANSION VALVE (aka ORIFICE TUBE) limits the current of the high pressure liquid freon metering the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator as a lower pressure liquid. Found in the evaporator inlet pipe (liquid line), it often has a mesh screen to trap metal particles that break loose from the compressor or other components.
The EVAPORATOR, located near the dash or firewall, transfers the passenger compartment heat to the refrigerant, which transfers it to the condenser.
The ACCUMULATOR, aka DRYER (alt. spelled DRIER), RECEIVER-DRIER absorbs excess moisture from the refrigerant. This component should be replaced whenever the A/C structure is opened. Should moisture mix with freon, it will create acid, wreaking havoc throughout your system.
FITTINGS - HOSES - SEALS
These parts are specifically designed to control liquid and gas at high pressures and temperatures. The hoses are usually flexible and terminated with special metal fittings at the ends that prevent leaks and provide a seal and connection between components. Because of the high pressure, each of these components is a potential source for leaks and needs to be inspected regularly. Special lubricants, specific to their refrigerant are also added. These lubricants add life to your AC by lubricating the compressor and deterring damage to seals and hoses.
FLUSH
During repair of A/C systems, the system should be prior to the Evacuation and charge with new freon. This state is critical to the viability of the repair. Flushing removes contamination such as particles of rubber or metal that could foul the system. .
1. Charging a leaky system is akin to filling up 
