Auto expert warned about the danger of "artisanal" refueling of air conditioners

With the onset of the summer season, many car owners are faced with the need to maintain the climate systems in their cars. However, attempts to save money on this procedure can lead to serious problems. Konstantin Yershov, a technologist at the international network of FIT SERVICE car services, told Izvestia about this on June 25.

The main danger of "garage" repairs, according to the expert, is the use of unsuitable refrigerants. Instead of the prescribed freon, unscrupulous craftsmen often pump propane or other dangerous mixtures into the system, which not only disables an expensive compressor, which can cost 200-300 thousand rubles to repair, but also creates a risk of fire.

Professional air conditioner maintenance includes several mandatory steps — pumping out the old refrigerant, checking the tightness of the system, diagnosing the condition of the oil and radiators.

"Many drivers don't know that the air conditioner needs to be turned on even in winter at least once a month to keep the O—rings lubricated," says Ershov.

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The specialist pays special attention to the importance of comprehensive diagnostics. Before refueling, it is necessary to check the pressure in the system, the condition of the cabin filter, and add a special dye to detect microcracks. The equipment must take into account not only the type of freon, but also the specifics of the oil for a particular car brand. A mistake in the selection can kill the compressor in a few weeks.

Yershov cites natural wear, clogging of radiators and the consequences of unprofessional maintenance as the main causes of climate system failures.

"Sometimes one incorrectly selected oil is enough to permanently disable the system," he explained.

A separate problem is the environmental consequences of artisanal repairs. Leaks of improperly charged refrigerant damage the ozone layer, and some gases, such as R134a, persist in the atmosphere for up to 13 years.

"Saving on professional maintenance is a lottery where the safety and performance of your car are at stake. Trust the climate system only to certified specialists, otherwise you risk paying twice: first to the garage foreman, and then for serious repairs," the expert concluded.

On May 23, the head of Rolf Avtogarant, Alexey Kryukov, warned that in summer the temperature in a car in direct sunlight could reach +70 degrees. According to him, in this regard, it is unsafe to leave chargers, phones and other equipment in the car.