AC Recharge Kits Can Damage Your Car!

During the hot summer months, it can be hard to keep cool, and when your car’s air conditioning stops putting out cold air, it can be miserable trying to drive anywhere. It is a pretty common problem for cars to have air conditioning problems, and oftentimes it is a simple fix by a licensed mechanic. But what about AC recharge kits, are they a good solution to the problem? Let us take a closer look at common causes of air conditioning failure in cars as well as how recharge kits work.

Causes of Warm Air

The most common cause of air conditioning not working in a car is a leak of the refrigerant. This leak can happen anywhere within the air conditioning system, and different leaks will have different methods of repair. Finding the source of the leak is an important part of diagnosing the problem and correcting it.

How do Recharge Kits Work?

AC recharge kits work by refilling the refrigerant that has leaked as well as sealing any leaks in the system. The refrigerant has a sealing agent added to it, so it can plug any leaks as the system runs the refrigerant through. The problem with this method of fixing the leak is that the sealing agent can also easily clog up the whole system. In addition, recharge kits also make it easy for car owners to overfill the cooling system with refrigerant, causing major problems.

A Better Solution

Even though recharge kits are inexpensive and “DIY” they could end up costing you thousands in the long run. Rather than trying to fix your air conditioning yourself, it is important to take your car into a mechanic to have it accurately diagnosed and fixed. A licensed mechanic will visually inspect the cooling system for a leak, and if that does not work, they will run a fluorescent dye through to more easily see where the leak is coming from.

Once the leak has been found a professional can seal the leak or replace the part that is causing the leak. Only after the leak has been fixed can the system be refilled with refrigerant.

Using an AC recharge kit can be tempting because it seems like an inexpensive, easy fix to an annoying problem. Using these kits can end up causing more damage to your car in the long run, and more money out of your pocket. If you need car AC repair in Los Angeles, CA call us at Westside Transmission & Automotive today! We can get you back on the road in full air conditioning fast!

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