One of the most common reasons your car AC is blowing hot air is because of a refrigerant issue—specifically, a loss of refrigerant. This loss of refrigerant can occur either due to a leak or because your car's refrigerant levels are too low.
It could be a number of issues, such as refrigerant leaks, faulty compressor or compressor clutch, blocked air vents, faulty thermostat, broken cooling fans, a blown fuse, electrical problems, a broken condenser and blower motor issues. All of these issues can cause your AC unit to stop operating properly.
An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.
One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs a Freon recharge is that your vehicle will be blowing warm air, even after your vehicle has been running for some time. If your refrigerant gets too low, there will simply not be enough “coolant” to cool the air as it is passed through your evaporator coil.
AC repair costs can vary widely, depending on the cause of the problem and the type of vehicle. On average, car AC repair costs run between about $430 and $520. However, if you need a new compressor, you can expect to spend $1,300 to $2,500 or more.
A condenser unit that isn't working as it should can't provide the cooling needed, so the result is warm air blowing out of the events. That scenario can happen when your condenser unit loses power, often due to a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
When your car's AC is blowing hot air, it likely means both you and your car need a bit of a refresher. One of the most common reasons your car AC is blowing hot air is because of a refrigerant issue—specifically, a loss of refrigerant.
One of the solutions to HVAC blowing hot air would be to turn off your unit, clean the condensation drain, and allow the coils to defrost before turning the system back on.
Likewise, there are some A/C repairs that the average person should leave to the pros. However, in many cases you—yes, even you—can figure out what's wrong with your car's air conditioner and fix the problem yourself, all for less than the diagnosis alone would cost at most auto repair shops.
What is the average cost of a car AC recharge? The average cost of a car AC recharge can range from $100 to $300, depending on the vehicle and location.
If there's a refrigerant leak or insufficient levels, the AC won't be able to generate cold air effectively. To fix this issue, you'll need to locate and repair the leak and then recharge the AC system with the right amount of refrigerant.
Warm Air from the Vents
If the compressor is fine, it will push cold air into the cabin of your vehicle. If you begin to notice warm or even hot air coming out of the vents, this is a clear indication that the compressor is not functioning properly.
The actual leak repair depends on the component that's leaking. A simple O-ring can cost just a few dollars plus labour, but a new air conditioning line or condenser can cost hundreds of dollars. All-in, you can expect to pay $150 to $1,000 or more for a leak repair.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
Many car owners often wonder, “Does a car AC take a while to get cold?” The answer depends on several factors, but generally, a car's air conditioning (AC) system should take around 3–5 minutes to start cooling the cabin effectively.
Cabin air filters can capture dust, bugs, leaves, and other various types of debris. A dirty air filter can certainly impede your air conditioner's ability to cool and after time could cause unnecessary strain on the entire system. Another common potential reason is that your compressor has failed.
The good news is that recharging your air conditioning system is a relatively simple process — but it's essential to do this regularly. It's recommended that you recharge the air conditioning in your car every two years, to keep the cooling power at its highest. This keeps the refrigerant loss to around 14%.
Freon is contained within your vehicle's AC system, as in completely confined within, so Freon's loss isn't through consumption but through leaks that eventually develop within hoses and connections.
In modern cars there is no real way to check the level. To get the most accurate level or amount, you have to have a recovery machine remove all the freon and measure the amount removed then compare that to what is supposed to be in the system.