How to Deal with Leaking Air Conditioner Valve Core in Cars?
2 Answers
Here are the solutions for a leaking valve core in car air conditioners: 1. Carbon deposits or burns between the valve and valve seat: The remedy involves removing carbon deposits and performing grinding. For severe cases, it's necessary to resurface the valve and repair the valve seat before grinding. 2. Incorrect clearance between the valve and valve guide: Excessive clearance causes the valve to wobble, leading to misalignment and poor sealing when closing; insufficient clearance results in the valve sticking in the guide, preventing proper closure. In such cases, identify the cause of the abnormal clearance and replace the affected guide or valve. 3. Insufficient or broken valve spring tension: This prevents the valve from closing properly. The solution is to replace the valve spring. Additionally, if components like the valve stem have no room for thermal expansion, they may not seal properly. Adjust the valve clearance as required.
When the car's air conditioning valve core leaks, I rely on experience to first turn off the AC to prevent more severe leakage. Then, I spray soapy water around the valve and look for bubbles to confirm the leak location. If it's just loose, I try to gently tighten it with a wrench, but I avoid forcing it to prevent damage. Most of the time, the valve core is aged or corroded and needs replacement. I’ve replaced it myself before, but I recommend going to a professional repair shop for safety—they have the tools and proper procedures. After replacement, the refrigerant must be refilled to ensure the system runs efficiently. During regular maintenance, I always ask the technician to check these small connections to avoid accumulated issues leading to major repairs, saving both hassle and costs. Remember, small problems left unattended can become big ones—timely handling keeps the AC more durable.
