How the condenser in car AC systems works

Having your car's air conditioning stop working in the middle of summer is the worst thing that could happen. If your air conditioning doesn't work, you and your passengers will have some very hot rides. AC systems for cars and trucks have many of the same parts as AC systems for homes. The condenser is one of the crucial parts of the machine. If the condenser breaks, your car's air conditioning system will also stop working.

What is a condenser?

The condenser is a coil-based part of an air conditioner that can lower the temperature of the refrigerant. Usually, it's close to the radiator. The condenser can be found either in front of or behind the radiator of your car. As the coolant moves through the condenser, it gets cooler.

The Condenser and How It Works

The air conditioner in a car uses refrigerant to make cool air. Refrigerant is not the same thing as coolant. It is a substance that changes between a liquid and a gas state.

The AC system in your car will be filled with refrigerant. The temperature will rise as it moves through the evaporator coil. The heat is thus absorbed by the refrigerant at this part, and then it will go to the condenser. The heat will be given off by the refrigerant in the condenser. The temperature of the refrigerant will go down as a fan blows over the condenser.

Common Condenser Problems

Some condensers break. All-aluminum condensers are now used in most cars. Aluminum doesn't rust or corrode very easily, but it can still crack when it's put under physical stress. If you hit a curb while driving, for example, the condenser in your car may break.

The AC system in your car only needs a tiny crack for the refrigerant to leak out. Like AC systems in homes, AC systems in cars are pressurized. If a crack appears in the condenser, the refrigerant will leak out. Even if the condenser in your car is broken, the air conditioner may still work. But it won't blow cold air if it's out of refrigerant or almost out of it.

Condensers can break and leak, but they can also get clogged. Condensers look like radiators. They have a number of fins and tubes. If road debris gets stuck in the condenser, it will not work as well.

Condensers are heat exchangers — just like radiators. If the condenser is clogged, the hot refrigerant will not be able to get out. It won't send as much heat to the condenser, which could cause the air conditioner to stop working. Try to make it a habit to clean your car's condenser at least once every few months to keep it from getting clogged.