If you’ve noticed that your air conditioning unit has been on the fritz lately, we understand that it can sometimes be hard to properly diagnose the issue.

Is the fan broken, are you out of refrigerant, or is something else going on?

One part of the unit that many people neglect to understand as the source of an issue is the AC accumulator.

In this post, we’ll teach you four of the most obvious signs that there’s a problem within your accumulator air conditioning system.

We’ll also let you know where you can go online to shop for high-quality and affordable replacement parts and repair services so you can get things fixed before the problem becomes worse.

What is an Air Conditioning Accumulator?

Before we discuss the signs of a faulty AC accumulator, let’s make sure you know what the part does.

After all, you want to be certain that the problem is indeed with the car AC accumulator, and not with another aspect of the unit.

Essentially, the job of an air conditioning accumulator is to collect the coolant once it travels out of the evaporator in the AC unit as a whole. Once the refrigerant is inside the AC accumulator, it will then turn it into a gas.

Then, it will send it over to the compressor within the unit. Your accumulator also holds a special type of moisture, known as a desiccant. The desiccant is what quicken the overall conversion of the refrigerant into gas.

So, where can you find it within the unit itself?

Usually, the accumulator is right between the compressor and the evaporator — making it the “middle man” of your car’s AC unit. It will always be found on the side of your unit that handles the suction.

1. The AC Smells Awful

You’re ready to hit the road, you’ve created the perfect playlist, and your car’s passenger seat is filled with snacks for the ride.

The only problem?

You’ve noticed that your AC unit seriously stinks. In fact, it smells a whole lot like rotten eggs, or even just moldy bread.

In addition to this being a sign that there’s a problem with your AC accumulator, it’s also a potential health risks.

If, along with the smell, you’ve noticed an increase in coughing, watery eyes, and more when you get in the car and blast the AC?

You may be dealing with mold growth.

This means that your accumulator has stopped properly getting the moisture out of the AC unit and turning it into gas. Instead, that moisture turns into mildew and mold that has built up within your unit as a whole.

You may need to get in touch with a professional to make sure that you handle this issue properly and completely.

Your health may be at risk, as well as the overall functionality of your car’s AC.

2. You’ve Noticed Leaks

Of course, one of the most obvious signs that there’s a serious issue with your accumulator AC system is if you notice visible leaks, or even just pools of water on the flooring of your car.

If you suspect that this might be an issue, then you’ll need to take a look up underneath the car. You should also be sure to check within your engine bay for even more signs of coolant leakage.

If you know you have a leak on your hands, you’ll need to be sure to act quickly.

If you don’t, over time, the leak will empty out all of your coolant, and your air conditioning will stop working altogether.

3. You Hear Rattling Noises

Whenever you turn on the AC unit in your car, does it start to make loud and obnoxious rattling noises after only a few minutes of use?

If so, then it’s probably a sign that something isn’t quite right within your accumulator air conditioning system.

The likely culprit?

There’s too much corrosion on your accumulator, so much so that it’s actually caused the interior of the mechanism to stop working effectively.

In some cases, this noise could also indicate that a hose or even a fitting has gotten too lose. It could mean that the fitting are just worn out and in need of replacement.

4. Your AC just isn’t Working

Do you feel like that, no matter how high you crank up the air conditioning in your car, it’s still boiling hot?

If so, then it’s likely that a problem with your car AC accumulator could be at fault.

This is something that you need to take care of for many reasons. First and most obviously, you don’t want to be uncomfortable during long car rides on hot days.

But more importantly, a faulty accumulator means that your car will burn through gas much more quickly than usual. This is because your AC unit will need to use twice as much power to accomplish half as much.

This also wears down the overall AC unit much faster than is normal. This can lead to costly repairs or even replacements in the near future.

Need to Replace your AC Accumulator?

We hope that this post has helped you to recognize the four major signs of a faulty AC accumulator.

Remember that a rotten smell, a system that doesn’t work, rattling noises, or leaks are all indications that you need to repair or replace the accumulator system in your vehicle.

Looking for reliable replacement parts at a fair price?

We’ve got you covered.

With over 30 years of experience, we’re experts at helping you to find exactly what you need. We also offer free shipping.

Check out our online shop to start getting your car on the road to recovery today.

 

One of the most vital working parts of any motor vehicle is the radiator. Some may even say it’s the most important working part of your entire car.

While this may be debatable, it’s certainly responsible for the proper functioning of your car’s engine. Without it, your engine would overheat and your car would be useless.

With this in mind, proper maintenance of your car’s radiator is absolutely necessary to ensure your car runs at its most efficient.

In order to keep your car radiator in tip-top condition, checks and maintenance should be done at least twice a year.

But how do you know when it’s time for a new radiator? In this blog, we highlight the 6 signs to look out for.

Top Signs it’s Time for a New Radiator

So, how does a car radiator work and why is it so important to the proper functioning of your car?

Basically, a radiator is used to keep your car engine’s temperature under control.

Due to the heat generated by the engine’s pistons, its temperature can rise extremely quickly.

Your radiator passes coolant through the engine block to absorb the excessive heat and keep your engine at a cool, working temperature.

If your engine becomes too hot, it will overheat and can ultimately cause damage to your car. This is an expensive headache which can be easily avoided.

Look out for these signals that its time for a new radiator before expensive damage is done to your car.

1. Visibly Leaking Coolant

Coolant is a vital part of the radiator system and is a key component in keeping your engine at a functioning temperature.

However, if you notice visibly leaking coolant spilling out onto the ground beneath your car, there is a problem with your radiator.

You may notice coolant leaking out onto the floor when you are parked or while driving.

But to definitively identify the issue within your radiator, you must take your car to a qualified mechanic.

A pressurized, colored dye test will be conducted and run through your radiator’s cooling system.

If the colored dye leaks out, then your radiator is most likely cracked and you may need a new radiator.

2. An Overheating Vehicle

If your car is persistently overheating, even if you aren’t driving a very long distance, this means there is an underlying issue with your radiator.

The good news is that this type of issue can usually be nipped-in-the-bud early enough before expensive issues arise.

The first or second time your car overheats, it’s important to address the cause immediately. Take your car to a professional mechanic who will be able to pinpoint the issue.

If this issue is left unattended for some time, this can only cause further damage and you may need a completely new radiator.

3. Discolored Coolant or Radiator Sludge

Typically, most radiator coolants are yellow, green or red in color. As your radiator ages, the coolant can discolor and turn a rusty color, eventually turning into a thick sludge.

This thick sludge is highly detrimental to your radiator as it will not drain correctly and eventually clogs the entire system. Radiator sludge is caused by either a lack of radiator maintenance or the mixing of transmission fluid and coolant.

A professional mechanic should be able to identify the cause and replace the coolant.

If this sludge manages to accumulate within your radiator, you will eventually need a new radiator and your engine could also become extensively damaged.

4. Low Coolant Levels

Typically, you shouldn’t have to change or top-off your radiator coolant levels at all if your car is relatively new. Most models of cars require a coolant change after the first 60,000 miles, then at 30,000-mile intervals after that.

If your coolant levels are unusually low and your coolant light is on more often than it should be, it’s high-time for a radiator check-up.

Try not to avoid this issue and have a professional assess the cause before it’s too late and you need a new radiator.

5. Radiator Rust Accumulation

Most components of a radiator are made from metal and are therefore susceptible to rust over time.

Modern radiators may feature a plastic top, however, the rest of the unit is comprised of metal. Over time, these internal metal parts can rust due to the constant exposure to moisture.

When doing your car maintenance, make sure to check the color of your coolant for signs of rust. If it’s a brownish color, you may have a rust accumulation throughout your cooling system.

You will need to take your car to a mechanic to have your radiator flushed to remove the rust build-up.

Make sure to use high-quality coolant and distilled water when refilling your radiator to avoid failure of your radiator and car engine.

6. A Faulty Thermostat

If your car is consistently overheating, another cause could be a faulty thermostat within your radiator system.

In fact, a faulty thermostat is known as one of the most common causes of radiator overheating.

The radiator thermostat acts as a valve which controls the level and flow of the coolant throughout the radiator. If this thermostat fails, your radiator coolant levels can go haywire.

Take your car to a mechanic if you suspect a faulty thermostat and ensure this component is replaced before you need a new radiator altogether!

Common Causes of Radiator Replacement

Just some of these scenarios are likely to cause issues with your radiator, so keep these in mind when assessing the cause of your radiator faults:

1. A Recent Car Accident

Have you recently been involved in a front-end or head-on collision? If so, your radiator is highly susceptible to damage or replacement.

Even side-on accidents are a common cause for concern when it comes to radiator damage. Try not to have your current radiator repaired and rather opt for a full replacement.

Radiator repair is a lengthy, expensive task and often doesn’t include a new warranty. Purchasing a new radiator will work out cheaper and you will have a warranty to fall back on.

2. Unchecked Overheating

Leaving your car to repeatedly overheat spells death for your radiator. If you don’t assess and repair the cause of your radiator overheating, it will eventually need to be completely replaced.

Very often it involves a simple repair such as cooling replacement or sealing a crack. But if this is avoided for too long, your radiator will completely pack in and need to be replaced.

3. A Defective Pressure Cap

The pressure cap of your radiator is extremely important in signaling when your radiator is under too much pressure.

If the pressure cap is not functioning at 100%, there will be no way for you to know your radiator needs a break. This can cause your radiator to completely burn out, destroying the radiator unit and damaging your car engine.

4. Worn Down Soldering

The joints of your radiator are made by a process of soldering. When these soldered joints become worn down and weakened, this can lead to leaks and cracks forming in your radiator.

Additionally, an accumulation of rust can also lead to worn soldering which can create further leakage throughout your radiator.

Replace Your Radiator With Us

If you’re looking for a world-class online retailer of radiators and automotive cooling distribution, we are your answer.

With close to 30 years of industry experience, we offer the expertise, high-quality import/export products and the services you need.

View our impressive range here.