Why does the car's air conditioning not cool after passing through a puddle?
3 Answers
It may be due to excessive refrigerant, leading to a decrease in cooling efficiency. If the refrigerant and refrigeration oil contain too many impurities, minor blockages can occur, resulting in insufficient cooling capacity. Here is some related information: Introduction: Freon is a common refrigerant with many types, including R22, R32, R134a, etc. Freon is generally a gas at room temperature and pressure, with a slight aromatic odor. Under low temperature and high pressure, it appears as a transparent liquid. It can mix with halogenated hydrocarbons, monohydric alcohols, or other organic solvents in any proportion, and different Freon refrigerants can also dissolve each other. Due to its strong chemical stability, thermal stability, low surface tension, easy phase change between gas and liquid, non-toxicity, oil affinity, and low cost, Freon is widely used in industries such as refrigeration, foaming, solvents, sprays, and cleaning electronic components. Classification: Freon is broadly divided into three categories, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Last time I drove through a puddle, the air conditioning stopped cooling. Most likely, the dirty mud from the puddle clogged the front condenser, which is responsible for heat dissipation. Once blocked, the air can't cool down. Another possibility is that the fan got short-circuited by splashing water and won't turn on, or the compressor got water inside, causing internal parts to rust and seize up. It's best to carefully inspect it. After parking, you can try cleaning the surface dirt from the radiator fins yourself, but be careful not to damage any electronic components. If that doesn't work, take it to a shop for a full check-up. Remember to slow down and avoid puddles in the future—this can extend the AC's lifespan several times over. Protecting your car is crucial.
I've encountered this situation several times where the AC stops cooling after driving through puddles. The main reason is that accumulated water brings in mud and sand, clogging the cooling system and affecting the fan operation or compressor function. For a simple self-check, you can stop the car and see if the fan is running. If it's not moving, there might be a short circuit in the wiring, so try drying it with a dry cloth. Driving through water poses significant risks and can also corrode metal parts, so it's recommended to rinse the condenser area as soon as possible. If left untreated for a long time, the risk of refrigerant leakage increases, leading to costly repairs. Keeping the vehicle dry is the most important thing.
