Pickup Trucks

Archive for the ‘used auto parts’ tag

Common Questions About A Car's Air Conditioner

without comments

During the winter, your vehicle's A/C takes is a lower priority. When the weather becomes warmer, problems in the system can make driving a challenge. Moreover, issues that are left unresolved will worsen and promise larger repair bills down the road.

Your car's air conditioning system consists of several parts and hoses. Like all auto parts, these components suffer wear and tear; they can fail with time and use. Despite the A/C’s importance to your driving comfort, few motorists understand how it works or the problems that can occur. In this article, I’ll address several of the most common questions people ask about their vehicle’s A/C.

“Does The System Need To Be Recharged?”

Many drivers immediately think problems with their car's air conditioner are because to a low level of freon (or R134 refrigerant) within the system. In reality, that is rarely the root cause – but, it can be a symptom of another issue.

The refrigerant in your vehicle should not leak. If it does, the leak must be identified and fixed to prevent similar problems. If the root cause of the leakage is not resolved, recharging your A/C will only be a temporary solution; the newly-added refrigerant will leak again.

If the freon is low, have it replenished. But, realize that a leak probably exists in the system and needs to be repaired.

“What Is Wrong With My Car’s Air Conditioner?”

This question brings to mind an important point about diagnosing and fixing problems with the A/C. The symptoms you experience will help your mechanic narrow down the culprit. For example, if the volume of air coming from the vents is lower than normal, that suggests a blockage somewhere within the duct system. On the other hand, if the air coming from your vents is warm, that suggests a leak, a malfunctioning compressor, or another parts-related failure.

Your mechanic is going to ask you to describe what you are experiencing when you run your car’s air conditioner. Be prepared with a detailed answer. That will help him find and fix the issue.

"What Happens If I Don't Repair The System?”

If you neglect to have problems repaired, you can expect the system to fail in the future. Unfortunately, the longer you wait, the greater likelihood your repair bill will be higher. Small issues are relatively easy and inexpensive to fix. When those issues cause a failure, addressing them becomes far more costly.

“What Can Go Wrong With My Car’s Air Conditioner?”

There are a limited number of factors that can cause your A/C to have trouble cooling your vehicle’s cabin. Refrigerant leaks can starve your compressor of oil. That may eventually cause the component to malfunction. Dirt and debris can also lead to issues. Not only will they cause the refrigerant to break down, but they can also affect the expansion valve and compressor.

A blockage within the system can starve the moving parts of lubrication, causing heat and pressure to rise. That leads to deterioration of the hoses, bearings, and other components. Eventually, it can cause a system failure (similar to an overheated engine).

You’ll notice that all of the factors described above gradually contribute to a systemic failure. That’s the reason you should have a mechanic repair any problems quickly.

Chances are, you rarely think about your vehicle’s air conditioner until it shows signs of trouble. The secret to reducing your repair bill is to avoid letting problems persist. If the issue is related to a leak, it costs very little to recharge the refrigerant and replace a ruptured hose. If that leak eventually causes the entire A/C system to fail, you can expect to pay much more to have it fixed.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Written by Guest

March 20th, 2010 at 3:39 pm

How Does an Auto Salvage Yard Work?

without comments

The auto salvage yard is a very interesting place. It sort of resembles a graveyard for automobiles because they are in pieces and don?t look too good. However, there are some viable parts on these old broken down vehicles that can work perfectly on a functional vehicle. The salvage yard is literally the “gold mine of auto parts.” That explains how they are able to survive financially the way that they do.

What makes them work is the fact that these junk yards areas possess auto parts that may not be found in local auto parts stores. This is because there are certain vehicles that are made in other countries that require their parts to be ordered. There are also some cars that are so old the parts cannot be found just anywhere. That is another instance in which the part may need to be ordered from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, that can be extremely expensive.

Their availability

Every town has at least one junk yard, which it is commonly called an auto salvage yard because they salvage the parts. Some parts on these vehicles are not functional, but even the most dilapidated vehicles have something that is useful on the inside or outside.

If you find that you are in need of a hard to find part, it pays to check out the auto salvage yard. Many individuals will search several junk yards before they find the part they need, but it beats having to order a part that is no longer made. The price difference is considerable and the ease of acquiring the part is significant.

The best way to find the part you need is to call the junk yard first. Ask them if they have the part and give them an opportunity to look. If they do have it, they will tell you. They assess vehicles when they receive them to see what parts are in good shape and which ones are not. They will collect both the internal and external parts that are in great shape. They will even collect new or used tires that can go a while longer. Whatever it is you need, just ask.

When you arrive at the salvage yard, they will let you see the part and you can decide whether or not to purchase it. If you do, you simply carry out the transaction right there and it is done.

Other services

For parts that are large, some auto salvage yards will haul them for you. This is something to ask when you make the phone call. Some people will buy the entire vehicle in order to scrap it themselves. Other parts such as trunk lids, hoods, door panels, and roofs can be too large for some to haul as well. If you need them to haul it for you, ask them how much they will do it for. Make sure that you comparison shop if you feel the price is too steep. If no one else can do any better or they don?t have the part, you can always call them back and tell them you will be there to make the purchase. You are not obligated the moment you make the phone call.

As you can see, the junk yard is a great place to find those hard to get auto parts. They might be used car parts, but many parts will still last the life of the vehicle. Even if it needs replacing in the future, the cost of replacing it again still won?t exceed the cost of having to order parts. Even if you don?t have to order parts, you will still find them cheaper at the auto salvage yard.

About the Author:
 Mail this post

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Written by Amy Nutt

November 28th, 2008 at 7:15 am