How does freon work in a car

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UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as automotive technicians. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as service writer, smog inspector and parts manager. North Carolina salary information: The U. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, viewed June 2, UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as welding technicians.

Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as certified inspector and quality control. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, viewed June 2, UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as collision repair technicians. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as appraiser, estimator and inspector.

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Some MMI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as equipment maintenance, inspector and parts associate. Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians, viewed June 2, For details, contact the program representative at the campus you are interested in attending. UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as CNC machining technicians. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as CNC operator, apprentice machinist, and machined parts inspector.

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Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 61, job openings between and Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 43, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 24, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 13, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 11, job openings between and Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics will be , by Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Automotive Body and Related Repairers will be , by Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers will be , by There are three main parts to the system -- the compressor , condenser , and evaporator -- that achieve this, plus a few other parts to keep the system running smoothly.

Let's take a look at each. All automotive air conditioning systems are nearly closed loops with a high-pressure side and low-pressure side. We'll start with the high-pressure side as it leads from the engine to the passenger compartment:.

Compressor: The compressor is a pump driven by a belt attached to the engine's crankshaft. When the refrigerant is drawn into the compressor, it is in a low-pressure gaseous form. Once the gas is inside the pump, the compressor lives up to its name. The belt drives the pump, which puts the gas under pressure and forces it out to the condenser. Compressors cannot compress liquids, only gasses.

You'll see as we go through the system that there are other parts whose job it is to capture any water that accidentally makes into the AC loop. Condenser: The condenser is basically a radiator, and it serves the same purpose as the one in your car: to radiate heat out of the system. The refrigerant enters the condenser as a pressurized gas from the compressor. The process of pressurizing the gas and moving it to the condenser creates heat, but air flowing around the twisting tubes of the condenser cool the refrigerant down until it forms a liquid again.

Imagine steam cooling down and condensing back into water, and you've got the idea. The liquid refrigerant is now a high-pressure liquid and nearly ready to cool the car. Receiver-Dryer: But first, the refrigerant needs to be prepped for the evaporator. As it moves out of the condenser, the liquid goes through a little reservoir installed in the line. This receiver-dryer contains desiccants , small granules that attract water.

You've seen packets of desiccants in shoeboxes, where they do the same thing: attract water from the air to keep new shoes fresh and ready for your feet. They're usually labeled "Do not eat. If the water is allowed to remain and possibly form ice crystals, it can damage the air conditioning system.

If you were to touch this part of the system, you'd feel it change from hot to cold. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows from the receiver-dryer through the expansion valve, where it is allowed to expand. This expansion reduces the pressure on the refrigerant, so it can move into the evaporator.

The valve senses pressure and regulates the flow of refrigerant, which allows the system to operate steadily, but the moving parts of the valve can wear out and sometimes require replacement. Some vehicles have an orifice tube rather than an expansion valve, but it serves the same purpose in allowing the refrigerant to expand and the pressure to be lowered before the liquid enters the evaporator.

The orifice tube allows refrigerant to flow at a constant rate and has no moving parts, but it can become clogged with debris over time. Systems with an orifice tube automatically turn the AC system on and off to regulate the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator.

Evaporator: This is where the magic happens. While all the other parts of the system are located in the engine compartment, this one is in the cabin, usually above the footwell on the passenger side.

It also looks like a radiator, with its coil of tubes and fins, but its job is to absorb heat rather than dissipate it. Refrigerant enters the evaporator coil as a cold, low-pressure liquid, ideally at 32 degrees Fahrenheit 0 degrees Celsius , which is why you don't want any water in the system. The refrigerant doesn't freeze at this temperature, but it does have a very low boiling point. The heat in the cabin of the car is enough to make the Ra in the evaporator boil and become a gas again, just like water turning back to steam.

In its gaseous form, refrigerant can absorb a lot of heat. The performance of your car's air conditioning system will consequently weaken until it fails altogether. One of the most obvious symptoms of low Freon levels is if your air conditioner is blowing warm or room temperature air. As we discussed, the air conditioning system in your vehicle operates by circulating this pressurized refrigerant.

When the amount drops too low, it eventually affects performance. When you turn on your vehicle's air conditioner, if you listen closely, you will hear a 'click' which signifies the clutch engaging. If the Freon levels are too low, the clutch will fail to engage which means there's not enough refrigerant for the compressor to pressurize.

In other words, your air conditioning system has nothing to work with! Another more serious symptom of low Freon levels is visible leaking. If you notice a leak, you will know it's Freon if it appears as a 'thin' greasy substance. These leaks often appear under the hood around the compressor, inside the cabin, or leaking under your vehicle.