Why do air condition systems fail

About Car air condition systems:

How can a small freon leak cause a domino effect that goes from hundreds to thousands of dollars?

In short, the air condition system in a vehicle gets used to it's environment. And around Ventura, the weather is pretty much ideal most of the time. As such, air condition systems in those vehicles become lazy. That's right, Lazy!
But then you take them up the Conejo grade and it all changes,


Let me explain, the most common problem with automotive air condition systems is leaks. But that is only the beginning. The oil that lubricates the system is carried and moved around by the freon. So, as the freon leaks out,  the system starves of lubricants , and additional failures ensue.

The first item to go is the compressor, all the internal valves are made from Teflon and they fall apart quickly without lubrication. The debris from the valves tends to plug the expansion valve and frequently the tubes in the evaporator and the condenser (the ports are very small, typically in the thousands of an inch) . Since you have to open up the system, you should replace the dehydrator receiver as they become saturated with moisture. Let's not forget that a thorough cleaning of the lines should be performed in order to avoid  a repeat failure.

We get a lot of vehicles that come to us from clients who were at other shops for this. They only had the compressor replaced and it worked okay for a short period of time. The other shop replaced the compressor again, for a second time when it failed, (called it a parts failure) and the system again worked for a short period of time.
By the third time, the vehicle owner had lost his patience and no longer trusted the shop. They either felt the shop didn't know what they were doing or their choice of parts was not up to par.

By the time we got the vehicle here, usually the contamination was massive and the amount of clean up work was overwhelming.

A little explanation about freon leaks. The pressure of freon inside the working system is proportional to the outside temperature and environmental conditions. The system has to work a lot harder when the temperatures rise and when there is a high moisture content. Typically, when the ambient air temperature is around 70 degrees, the internal pressure for the air condition system would be around 140-180 psi. But when the temperature rises to lets say 85 degrees, the internal pressure will exceed above 200 psi and could go as high as 230-280 psi  So, leaks that wouldn't occur at lower pressures, will show up once the heat is on.

Let's face it, over the last month, it's been hot and therefore we've had a lot more calls about air condition systems failing in cars.
Give me my old weather back! Even if it means less work.

I have a "Subaru" Outback and would like to know what is due at 30000 mile service?
Also, I'd like to know who does this "Subaru repairs near me"

Dear Subaru owner,
The manufacturer of your vehicle requires a certain amount of inspection work along with a few other items they deem very importance to call them "required"
As for the required items:

The air filter, they would like it replaced every 10,000 miles
The brake fluid exchanged
The engine oil
The engine oil filter
Tire rotation

As for the items to be inspected and left to the discretion of the mechanic, they are:

Inspect,
Transmission fluid (CTV) trans only
Axle shaft boots
Brake lines and cables
Brake linings
Clutch operation (manual trans only)
Cooling system hoses and clamps
Differential fluid (front and rear differentials)
Disc brake pads and rotors
Drive belts
Fuel lines and connections
Manual transaxle fluid
Parking brake
Steering system
Suspension system
Timing belt

As you can see, you can't trust someone who just does oil changes to guide you through the more complex inspection work. You need someone with a great deal of experience and traning. Call us for an appointment, we'll be glad to go over your Subaru needs.

Where is the oil leak in my Subaru?

The day started innocently enough, just like any other day. I got to the shop around 8 a.m. and one of my service advisers was on the phone with a client.
I always like to listen in and critique my advisers performance as I feel this would only improve how we communicate with our clients.
Isaac, our service adviser was asked by the other person on the phone to provide a free quote for the replacement of the front crank seal on his Subaru Forester.
Client, How much to replace the front crankshaft seal on my 2008 Subaru Forester?

the obvious thing here is WHY ON EARTH ARE YOU GIVING A QUOTE OVER THE PHONE?.

Well, there is a new reality, go back 10 years ago and we used to take one of those calls once every other week. Back then, we could take the time to educated the consumer and let them know about the added value we bring to the table, our training, our attention to detail, etc. And also why they are better off doing business with us than they would be at another place.
Today we get those calls easily 10  times a day. Frankly, we don't always have the time to go through the educational process. Sometimes is just easier to give them what they think they want.

After getting the information on the year, make and model (2008 Subaru Forester), Isaac gave the caller a price to get the job completed.

Client,  Is that where the oil leak is coming from?
(mind you, this is an over the phone quote on a vehicle we didn't inspect nor have never seen)

Isaac, Sir, you asked me for a price on the replacement of the front crank seal on your Subaru, I have never seen your vehicle so I don't know where the leak is. We'll be happy to inspect it for you and corroborate the diagnosis if necessary.

Client,  Right! all you want is to get the car into your shop so once there I won't have a choice right?

Isaac, No sir, we would like to give you the answer with no strings attached. Fact is, we would bring the vehicle up in the air, remove whatever is necessary to properly identify the leak and give you the answer. Just to make it clear, I'm going to decline any paying work on your vehicle so you won't think there is any conflict of interest. My goal it to restore your trust in humanity, that's all!
In the end, the client couldn't believe someone would go that far to help him with no strings attached. Didn't bring his Subaru for us to check the oil leak and I'm sure, kept calling other places with the same question.
#subaru,#oilleaks#repairquote#freequote

Best auto repair shop

Once again, we are the "best auto repair shop near me", the "best auto mechanic near me", the "best brake repair shop".
But who is the best shop for Subaru; ABC Auto Care. Best for your Toyota or Lexus, you guessed it, ABC Auto Care. What about Infinity or Hyundai, of course it is ABC Auto Care! Who is the best for European vehicles? The best repair shop for BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, and we might as well throw in Jaguar and Land Rover.
How can you not love the internet when you are an advertiser?
You can make any claims or statements, yet do not have to offer any factual evidence. Many people believe, if it is on the internet, it must be true, right?
Want proof? Here we have it, two years in a row!

https://awards.citybeatnews.com/Abc-Auto-Care-Ventura-CA?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=%3C%3CInfo%5cStarPageURL%3E%3E&utm_campaign=October-OF&utm_content=October-OF

For the paltry sum of just a few hundred dollars, I can boast all of these claims and this company will back them up. Are they real?  They are on the internet, what other proof do you need?
Ask them how they rate, their research, tabulations, vote counting and all of that sort, you will get nowhere with it. But it sure looks impressive!

Bottom line is you pay and you are number one with them. If you are wondering, no, I did not sign up for the Best of the Spectrum Awards. I will not fall for it because I know it's bogus, although I am pretty sure a lot of others will run to sign up and claim they are the "Best Of".
Not all that glitters is gold, and most of the internet is filled with factually unchecked claims. Caveat emptor!

#bestautorepair,#bestcarrepair,#bestautomechanic,#bestmechanic