5 Signs It Needs Service Before It Fails

When you live in Northeast Ohio, summer often arrives without warning. One day you’re wearing boots and warming up the car before work, and the next day you break out the shorts and turn on the A/C.

If you haven’t been paying attention to the A/C system all winter, you could be in for a sweaty surprise if it stops working. It’s better to keep an eye on it, so you can spot early warning signs that tell you your A/C is going out. Otherwise, what could have been a simple service appointment turns into an air compressor replacement and you’re stuck waiting for an appointment with your mechanic.

At Tire Source Neighborhood Car Care, we don’t just do tires. We look out for your entire vehicle, so you can keep it in good working condition. Here are five signs your A/C is working overtime and needs your attention before the really hot weather hits.

Weak Airflow, Even on High

Next time you’re in the driver’s seat, turn on your A/C and open the vents all the way. How’s the airflow? If the output is weak, it could be one of the first signs your cooling system needs service.

The cause could be a clogged cabin filter. The cabin air filter cleans the air that circulates through the cabin of your vehicle. It can get clogged with road dust, smoke particles, or pollen, making it so air can’t get through.

Other possible causes of weak airflow:

• Blower motor is failing
• Hose is blocked
• A seal is cracked or leaking

What to watch for:

• Noticeably low output from all vents, no matter the fan setting
• Some vents blowing out more strongly than others
• A fan that sounds like an engine taking off, but doesn’t affect air flow

Air Comes Out Warm

One of the most common signs your A/C could be on the fritz is when the air just doesn’t come out cold enough. You’ve given the car more than enough time to “cool down,” but what’s coming out of the vents is still warm. That might fly in April, but a July day in Canton? Nope.

Warm air coming out even with the A/C turned on could mean you have a refrigerant leak. Without repairs, a refrigerant leak can cause the air compressor to fail, which can be an expensive fix.

Repairs will require testing your system to find the source of the leak, replacing and reconnecting the bad parts, vacuuming out the system and recharging the refrigerant.

What to watch for:

• Air that never feels truly cold
• Cooling that works OK at highway speeds but not idling
• A/C that works fine some days, but not others

Strange Smells

You slide behind the driver’s seat and sniff an unusual smell. It’s not your air freshener, the kids’ old french fries, or the hockey bag in the backseat. It could be caused by your air conditioning system.

Bad or weird smells in your car could come from several different things that indicate your A/C should be serviced. Pay close attention to the odor, because different scent profiles could mean different things.

What to watch for:

• Mildewy smell: Mold or bacteria may be building up on the evaporator core due to condensation. More mold spores floating around the cabin could cause allergies to get worse, too.
• Sweet or chemical-y smell: This could be a refrigerant leak. Don’t wait around to have it looked at.
• Bitter, burning smell: If you smell this when the A/C is running, it could point to electrical problems or a belt that’s overheating.

Weird Noises

It’s normal to hear the fan humming when the A/C is on, and a slight whoosh as the air blows out of the vents. But if you hear new sounds when you switch the A/C on, it could mean something isn’t right.

What to watch for:

• Clicking: If you hear clicking when you first switch the system on, it could mean the blend door is worn or its actuator has stripped.
• Rattling or banging: More of a rattling sound could indicate a component has come loose or there’s debris inside the system.
• Grinding or squealing: This could mean the compressor is under stress, possibly from a leak or internal wear.

Moisture or Leaks

If you’ve ever noticed soggy carpeting in the footwell or other moisture inside the car where it shouldn’t be, the culprit could be your car’s air conditioner.

Moisture inside the vehicle, like the on the floors or the dash, could mean there’s a clog in your A/C drainage system. It can go along with moldy smells, as we mentioned earlier, and could cause damage to the interior, wiring or insulation. Another clue is a greasy, oily spot under your car when it’s parked. That’s not normal condensation; it could be a refrigerant leak.

What to watch for:

• Wet carpets
• Damp floorboards
• Musty smells
• Oily patch beneath the car

Servicing Your A/C Can Prevent Bigger Problems

Your car’s air conditioning system is connected to many other important parts of your car. Hoses and belts can wear down or sustain damage, which can put more load on your engine. Refrigerant leaks left  unrepaired can eventually damage your car’s air compressor, which can be an expensive repair. And if a cracked line is leaking into your engine compartment, you could have electrical problems down the road.

Keeping your system in good working order now helps prevent complicated and pricey repairs in the future. And by servicing your A/C before the humidity really gets going means you’ll be much more comfortable driving around Canton, Akron and Cleveland this summer.

Tire Source can help you diagnose what’s wrong with your vehicle and get it fixed up fast. We can inspect your system, check refrigerant levels, test cooling performance and identify any worn or leaking components before the hot weather hits.

Schedule air conditioning service