Mechanics Tool Supply

Any professional service shop specializing in air condition recovery and charging will go through a great deal of refrigerant before this summer turns into fall.  The large tanks left behind are often discarded in order to save space for new refrigerant, wasting perfectly good storage tanks.  If your shop makes use of air tools and other air-powered equipment, this translates into a missed opportunity.

One money-saving option you can take advantage of is to turn those used refrigerant tanks into useful air tanks.  The process of doing so is perfectly safe and takes only minutes to perform.  Purchasing this S & G Tool Aid SG94650 Refrigerant Tank Conversion Kit is a great first step towards recycling used tanks into money-saving, convenient air tanks for use within your service shop.

Air condition recovery and charging take expert knowledge and attention from experienced mechanics.  The processes also take the right tools and equipment.  Look no further than Mechanics Tool Supply for all the materials you need to get the job done right.   Our name-brand selection is sure to have something you can use to help make your life easier when repairing and servicing automotive air conditioners.

The proper measure of refrigerant is an essential part of air condition recovery and charging an inadequate air conditioning system.  In years past, the procedure for determining refrigerant levels was not nearly as streamlined and accessible as today’s methods.  Onboard diagnostics and digital mechanics tools have given way to newer, easier ways to perform air conditioning procedures on cars and trucks.

If your shop regularly performs air condition recovery, charging, and other air conditioning service procedures, you should consider purchasing this TIF TIF9030 Economy Digital Refrigerant Scale from Mechanics Tool Supply.  Its molded plastic design and easy to carry form will allow you to easily add it to your shop inventory without additional storage or organizational changes.  It operates using 9-volt battery power and comes with a one year warranty.

Mechanics Tool Supply provides a large assortment of mechanics tools used to perform air conditioning service jobs.  With our equipment in hand, you can feel confident you are performing quality work using tools and accessories made to get the job done.  Our personable service and online shipping tools will make your shopping experience a pleasant one.  Look through our inventory today to see if we can provide something that will ease your workday in more ways than one.

Automotive air conditioners often go unchecked during the winter months.  Getting caught in the summer heat can leave drivers more than a little hot.  Make sure to have your air conditioning serviced before you hit the road this summer.

During air conditioning service, your mechanic may perform an air condition recovery using a special tool used to evacuate air conditioning refrigerant.  Because of the potentially toxic nature of automotive air conditioning chemicals, recovery is performed to ensure the chemicals are removed properly.  After the unit is evacuated, new refrigerant may be added to ensure proper function.

Mechanics Tool Supply provides top of the line air condition recovery tools and equipment.  Browse our inventory today.

Since 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency has enacted various laws that limit and completely restrict some transactions of air condition refrigerant.  These laws were put into place in order to reduce the negative effects that some practices at that time had on the ozone layer, as well as to deter irresponsible behaviors in regards to the sale of refrigerant.

The original law that the EPA put into place at the end of 1994 was specific to refrigerants that were contained within cylinders, drums and pre-charged parts.  Then, in 2003, limits were placed on the sale of ozone depleting refrigerants, making it so only 608 technicians were allowed to purchase these. 

In theory, wholesalers are responsible under the law to refrain from selling refrigerants to anyone not covered under the restrictions.  Unfortunately, specific precautionary measures are not outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency.  However, the recommendations are that wholesalers obtain a statement signed by the purchaser guaranteeing they will only sell it to a certified technician.  Wholesalers must, however, keep records of the refrigerant that is being sold through the use of invoices.  These invoices should have on them: the purchaser, the date and how much refrigerant was bought. 

Here we are back at Monday again!  Am I the only one who thinks the weekend goes way too fast?  Either way, it is back. 

I thought this week we could look at various air condition system issues, as well as troubleshooting the problems that could arise when it comes to the air conditioning.  I think it never fails - it is the hottest day of summer, you get into your car after a long day at work, turn on the air condition to get some nice, cool relief, and what happens?  Nothing.  That anticipated relief is instead met by, if anything, a blast of warm, stuffy air.  Realistically speaking, the problem has been going on for a while, possibly off and on, but it never fails to completely die on what seems like the hottest day of the year.

Air conditioners do get low or completely run out of refrigerant after continued use, and this is probably your most likely culprit.  This could be due to many various reasons that we will look at throughout the week.  One possible reason, a refrigerant leak, could cause the refrigerant to escape from the condenser or the evaporator via a hole as small as a pin. 

Another issue that you may find yourself troubleshooting when it comes to your air conditioning system is odor.  Take that same scenario above of the “hottest day of the year,” turn on your car that has been sitting in the blaring sun all day, and you may find a not so pleasant smell emitting from the vents.  Not exactly how you had planned to spend the car ride home. 

We will look at both issues this week and hopefully give you some good knowledge to go on when you set to the task of troubleshooting and repair these common air condition issues.  Stay tuned throughout the week in order to get all applicable information for each issue!

For the past couple of posts we have been looking at the steps that you need to take in order to recharge your air condition system.  When we left off yesterday, we had just started the engine and turned the air up to the maximum setting.  The engine either ran the cool air on its own, or you had to manually run it by running the power to the clutch. 

The next thing you will want to do is get the vapor moving to the air condition system from the can of refrigerant.  You do this by opening the valve on the service hose.  Give it at least 10 minutes for each can that you will be using to empty into the system. 

Watch the manifold gauge during this process.  The LOW pressure gauge should read between 25 and 40 PSI - if it goes over 50 PSI, too much refrigerant has entered the system and it is overcharged.  Once it gets to appropriate level of pressure, stop the procedure.  On the other hand, the HIGH pressure gauge should read between 200 and 225 PSI.  You should also check the specifications that the manufacturer has laid out to get the pressure reading that is specific for the vehicle you are recharging.

Next, close the valve on the service hose and disconnect it from the empty can.  If you need to use another can to fill the system more, follow the above steps again.  If not, turn the engine off and close the valve on the refrigerant can.  Disconnect the service hose from the LOW pressure fitting.  There will likely be more refrigerant left if you use a second can.  If this is the case, keep the service hose connected to the can with the valve closed so you do not leak any leftover refrigerant from the can between this service and the next time you use it again.  Replace the plastic caps over the service fittings.

And that’s pretty much it.  Over the last 3 posts you have learned how to recharge the system of your vehicle.  Hope this was helpful to some or all.

Because they are basically the “circuit boards” of the air condition system, compressors work extremely hard.  Their job is to maintain the flow of the refrigerant throughout the system.  They do all of this with just a minimal amount of lubricant.  Therefore, when that small amount becomes even smaller due to leaks, a breakdown begins to occur within the compressor.

Refrigerant leaks can occur in several different places within the system.  These leaks most commonly occur within the hoses, in the hose and pipe connections, in the evaporator, the condenser, or in the compressor shaft seal.  Whether you use a leak detector or dye to find the leak, it must be repaired to prevent further damage to the compressor.  In addition to leaks, if the orifice tube or expansion valve is restricted, oil is unable to circulate with the refrigerant, causing the compressor to become dry that way. 

If you hear metallic or bearing noises within the system, it is generally a sign that the compressor will not last much longer.  If the compressor has become worn out due to aging and use, pressure will not be maintained even with a full charge of refrigerant.  You can determine this by using a manifold gauge set.

It is practical, though, not to “jump the gun” and attempt to replace the compressor just on the symptom of improper cooling.  Because this could also be caused by faulty sensors and an array of other reasons, a full diagnostic troubleshooting is important to do.

As I said in yesterday’s post, I thought it may be helpful for some to have some common and not so common air condition-related terms defined.  Today we’ll continue with that thought.

• High Side - Section of an air conditioning system in which refrigerant is under high pressure
• Leak Detector - Device used to locate refrigerant leaks in an air condition system
• Leaking Heater Core - Rusted or cracked tube in core, allowing coolant to escape
• Liquid Backup in the Condensor - A backup of liquid in the condensor due to restricted orifice size, causing a subcooling of the liquid
• Low Pressure Cutout Switch - One that precuts compressor operation and possible damage if air conditioning pressure drops below a set point
• Low Side - Section of an air conditioning system in which refrigerant is under low pressure
• Magnetic Clutch - Device used to engage and disengage the compressor of an air conditioning system
• Oil Streaked Sight Glass - A sign that the air conditioning system is low on refrigerant and allowing excess oil to circulate
• Performance Test - A measurement of air conditioning system performance made with the vehicle engine running
• Pressure Gauge (Manifold Assembly) - A combination of pressure gauges, valves, and hoses used to check air conditioning system pressures and remove or add refrigerant
• R12 Frostbite - Injury resulting from contact with extremely cold refrigerant
• Receiver/Drier - Air conditioning system component that removes moisture and stores extra refrigerant
• Refrigerant - Substance with a very low boiling point that can be used to absorb heat
• Refrigerant Oil - Lubricant used in the compressor of an air conditioning system
• Schrader Valve - A spring-loaded valve used in air conditioning systems
• Service Valves - Points at which pressures in air conditioning system can be checked, and refrigerant removed or replaced
• Static Pressure Charge - A reading made with the engine off to determine whether a system has an adequate refrigerant charge
• Superheat Switch - One that shuts down an air conditioning system if refrigerant or oil levels are low
• Thermostatic Switch - Electrical component that shuts of an air conditioning compressor when the evaporator temperature approaches the freezing point
• Valves in Receiver - Expansion and POA valves enclosed within the receiver drier of an air conditioning system
• WOT Switch - Device that shuts off an air conditioning compressor