Car Air Conditioning Service
Automotive Air Conditioning Service
A/C systems may seem simple from the outside, but creating cool air to keep your car pleasant and comfortable is a fairly complicated process. Our competence, training and innovation has kept McKenna Automotive Services a leader in automotive air conditioning repair and service.
Competence – We understand how the old and the new systems work, what goes wrong with them, how to test them, and how to make them work again.
Training – Training and more training. In order to stay on top of the new systems, tools, and procedures, we train constantly, 2 weeks (80 hours) per year is not uncommon. We maintain the latest testing and service equipment, as well as repair, service data, and specifications information systems.
Innovation – If you have a van or SUV with rear air conditioning you know how nice it is on those hot days. If the air conditioning line(s) going to the rear A/c system leak, you’re looking at a large bill to replace them. McKenna Automotive designed a procedure, found the proper parts, and engineered a way to permanently repair those lines for a lot less.
With over 40 years of experience, we can get to the root cause of any issues you’re having.
FAQs:
Q. Hey! What’s all this stuff I keep hearing about – R12, R134A, R123YF what’s it all mean?
A. These numbers pertain to the type of refrigerant used in a specific vehicle. R12 is no longer used due to its ozone depleting characteristics. R134A replaced R12, but now R134A is being phased out and replaced by R1234YF. We made the investment in the equipment, tools, training, and parts so we can handle all three types.
Q. My car has the new R1234YF refrigerant, and it is not cooling as well as it used to. Why can’t it just be topped off?
A. It’s not that it can’t be topped off, it’s just not a smart thing to do. First you have no way of knowing how much to put in (Pressures help but are not accurate enough.) Second, R1234YF refrigerant is very sensitive to charge level. Even a slight over or under charge of ½ once can affect the A/c performance. Lastly, if your car is 4 or so years old, the refrigerant went some place it’s too new to be low from normal leakage.
Q. R1234YF refrigerant is really expensive, why can’t I just add another type of refrigerant?
A. The first reason is that it is illegal to do so. Federal law prohibits the introduction of any refrigerant into a system that has not been designed and specified for it. Plus, using a different refrigerant is detrimental to your designed A/c system and can damage it severely.
Q. OK, what if I took all the R1234YF out and replaced it with something else?
A. It is still illegal and detrimental to your A/c system. Also, it is illegal to vent and or release any refrigerant. It MUST be reclaimed and recycled according to EPA rules. Plus, the connections to your vehicle are specifically designed for only R1234YF and its characteristics.
Signs you should have your Air Conditioning serviced.
If you feel warm or hot air from the A/c vents, or the temperature gets warmer after driving for a few minutes, an issue exists within the system. Have your vehicle checked.
Things to remember:
When it’s 95 Deg. F. outside and you’re driving with the sun beating down on you, your vehicle will NOT get to 50 degrees. The sun is simply too much for the A/c to overcome.
You may have noticed there is water dripping out of the underside of your car when the A/c is running. This is a good thing. What is happening is the cold A/c evaporator is pulling the moisture out of the air. Effectively dehumidifying the air in the passenger compartment. If you don’t see water and it’s a humid day, your A/c is not working properly, or the system is not draining properly. Have your system checked before issues arise.
Any and all refrigerants MUST be reclaimed, recycled or disposed of in the proper manner. Refrigerant must NEVER be vented in the air. To do so is a violation of federal law.
A Few Do’s and Don’ts.
1. Don’t EVER put or allow anyone to put “sealer” into your air conditioning system. It can damage your system and do more harm than good. Also, in the future when you must get the A/c serviced for whatever reason, it’s going to cost a lot more. Furthermore, it most likely will not work. Believe me, we have seen it more than once.
2. Don’t ignore your A/c if it starts acting up. The longer you wait and run the A/c, the more it will cost to repair. Premature wear can onset quickly.
3. Don’t just have the air conditioning “topped off”. When refrigerant leaks out, so does the oil that is needed to protect the system and must be replaced with the proper type and amount. Make sure the repair shop uses the proper oil. R134A uses a different oil than R1234YF.
4. Do have the radiator and condensers cleaned at least once a year, preferably at the beginning of the summer. The dirt they hold can restrict air flow and hinder A/c and engine cooling operation.
What our customers are saying:
I was traveling to see my son graduate and the AC went out on our van. Their expertise found the issue of a leaking rear ac line and replaced it. Their pricing is very competitive and worth every penny.
