What Causes the Hissing Sound of Air Leakage in Car Air Conditioning?
2 Answers
Car air conditioning produces a hissing sound of air leakage due to: 1. Aging of the air conditioning belt with severe surface oxidation; 2. Wear of the belt pulley. The functions of car air conditioning are: 1. Achieving a cooling effect through the continuous phase change cycle of the refrigerant; 2. Removing dust, odors, smoke, and toxic gases from the car's interior air to make it fresher, and humidifying the interior air to increase its relative humidity. Methods for maintaining car air conditioning include: 1. Avoid setting the temperature too low; 2. Adjust the direction of the air vents; 3. Do not use it for extended periods; 4. Occasionally turn on high airflow; 5. Turn off the air conditioning when driving at low speeds.
Last time I encountered a hissing sound from the AC, it was quite frustrating because it meant the refrigerant was leaking. The car's air conditioning system is tightly sealed, but if there are cracks in the pipes, softened or aged connections, or a faulty compressor seal, high-pressure gas can slowly leak out, making a hissing sound like a punctured tire. If left untreated, the cooling performance will deteriorate, making driving uncomfortably hot, and it could even lead to the entire system failing. When checking for leaks, always turn off the AC first to prevent further refrigerant loss. You can apply soapy water to the pipes to see where bubbles form—common leak points are near the condenser or high-pressure lines. Regular maintenance is crucial; have a technician perform a pressure test and leak check before each summer and top up the refrigerant if needed. A friend of mine ignored the issue, and it later cost him over a thousand dollars to replace parts—totally not worth it.
