Category: Q&A
Beginning in the mid-2010s, automotive and light-duty vehicle air conditioning systems began transitioning from R-134a to R-1234yf refrigerant. By MY 2021, the transition was complete. While yf, as we call it in the industry, is more environmentally friendly than prior refrigerants, it has historically been exponentially more expensive than its predecessors. This cost differential has
The next time you buy some refrigerant, be sure to check the expiration date on the can or cylinder. What? You can’t find one? That’s because refrigerant simply does not go bad or expire. As long as the cylinder or can is fully sealed (no leaks) and the valve is not open or broken, refrigerant
Beginning in the mid-2010s, automotive and light-duty vehicle air conditioning systems began transitioning from R-134a to R-1234yf refrigerant. By MY 2021, the transition was complete. While yf, as we call it in the industry, is more environmentally friendly than prior refrigerants, it has historically been exponentially more expensive than its predecessors. This cost differential has
Before you service your automotive air conditioning system, you should look for the vehicle’s A/C safety sticker. Under your vehicle’s hood, you will locate a sticker which contains relevant details specific to the refrigerant requirements of your vehicle. The label indicates refrigerant type and amount as well as information about compressor lubricant. The location and
For a mobile air-conditioning system to run efficiently, the correct amount of refrigerant must be installed in the system. Both an under– or over-charge will affect efficiency, and the latter could even damage the system. But how does one hit the proverbial “sweet spot” when charging? START BY KNOWING SYSTEM CAPACITY The type of refrigerant
Everyone appreciates that regulations stemming from environmental concerns has been steering the direction of automotive A/C refrigerants for the past twenty-five years or so. In the 1990s we moved away from R-12, a CFC, in favor of R-134a, an HFC, to help mend the damage the former was doing to the Ozone Layer. Later, in
R-1234yf absorbs slightly less energy per unit of flow in a refrigerant cycle compared to R-134a. In order to compensate for that differential, yf systems utilize an Internal Heat Exchanger (IHX). The IHX (sometimes called a Suction Line Heat Exchanger ( or SLHX )), helps to increase the performance level of yf systems to match
All automotive air conditioning systems are self-contained structures which cool the cabin of a vehicle by changing the phase of refrigerant from gas to liquid and back again by applying and releasing pressure on it. The ability of refrigerant gas to change its physical properties as it is compressed and cooled is what makes the
When your air conditioning system has been open to the atmosphere for a period of time, it is susceptible to contamination by moisture or foreign particulate. It is important that the moisture be removed from the system, as it can be extremely harmful to the system components and to the A/C system operation. In addition,
A safety data sheet (SDS), (previously called a “material safety data sheet” (MSDS)), is a document which lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. Unlike the MSDS, the new SDS sheets follow an internationally standardized format. SDS sheets are a component of the Globally Harmonized System
So your AC is blowing warm, and you know you need a refrigerant charge, but how much should you buy? And considering that both too much and too little refrigerant will make the system not work properly, how much should you add to your system? That’s a loaded question. Most cars hold between 28 and
Due to requirements under the 2015 SNAP program (section of the Clean Air Act), to reduce ozone-depleting substances and replace them with more environmentally sustainable alternatives, USA law required elimination of R-134a in all 2021 and later model year cars. Rules also affect Medium/Heavy Duty vehicles (includes Medium Duty trucks, 250-350or 2500-3500 pick-ups, and Heavy-Duty
(1) Is it bad to run an automotive air conditioner when it’s cold out? Running the a/c in the winter months does not cause any harm to the car’s heating and cooling system. In fact, there are many benefits to running the car’s air conditioning in the winter: it helps dehumidify the air, reducing window fog
It’s easy to assume your automotive A/C is performing poorly due to a compressor failure, however, it’s quite possible the culprit might be your belt. It’s good practice to first check your entire drive system for wear and proper tenson before moving on to more difficult and more expensive solutions. Over time, automotive belts ,
An A/C filter, or cabin air filter, is a simple but important element of a mobile A/C system. The filter helps maintain air quality within the vehicle cabin. It does this by removing contaminants such as dust, dirt, smoke, pollen, mold and bacteria as the air flows into the cabin. As is typical with filters,
No. No, it’s not. A properly functioning vehicle air conditioning system is absolutely crucial to maintaining a cool and comfortable interior cabin, especially during the heat of summer. That’s why when things start to go wrong, we are so impatient to get it back to peak performance. Unfortunately, the A/C is often a “forgotten system”
Hot temperatures outside generally means cranking up your car’s A/C, but what if you do that and a rattling noise accompanies the cool flowing air? Hearing any sort of rattling noise from your car can cause stress and concern. A rattling sound can mean your A/C is starting to deteriorate and/or some of its parts
It may seem counter-intuitive to run your mobile A/C when the weather’s cool, or even freezing, however running the A/C in the winter not only does not do any harm to your heating/cooling system, it may in fact, offer benefits. Simply put, running the A/C and heater will dehumidify and remove moisture from the air.
For an A/C tech, a quality set of manifold gauges is an important diagnosis and service tool. We’ve referenced the issue of brass vs aluminum within the text of a previous blog, but since we’re still receiving questions about it, we’ve decided to dedicate an article exclusively to this question: What is the preferred material
Wait one second! Stop right there! Unlike most components under your hood, an air conditioning system does not require a regular service or maintenance charging schedule. In fact, your vehicle’s A/C might NEVER need to be recharged unless you’ve been in a collision and damaged its metal components, or if its tiny rubber components have
Fogged up, “unclear” windows are not just an inconvenience, they present a “clear” driving danger. When the air temperature inside a vehicle is warmer than the temperature outside, the water molecules inside the cabin can go through a process of condensation and collect on the windshield and windows, where the dueling temperatures collide. This causes
I admit it. When I started working for FJC a couple years ago I questioned their printed catalog strategy. “We have the INTERNET nowadays,” I argued, “We don’t need to pay to design, print and mail out physical catalogs!” It became a personal mission to bring our digital presence up to date – so today
A/C systems operate by utilizing a compressor which pressurizes and circulates refrigerant and oil through the system, producing cold air through refrigerant phase changes. The refrigerant starts out as a gas in the low-pressure side, and is converted into a liquid by the pressure in the high side. The cycle of refrigerant through the different
We should all try to conserve fuel, whether for the environment or our pocketbooks—or both. It is with this notion in mind that we address an age-old question: Is it more fuel efficient to drive with the A/C running, or with the windows rolled down? We’ve all heard the arguments: “Opening the windows increases aerodynamic
In general, “Spark Free” tools are made of materials that do not contain iron and which utilize manufacturing processes which reduce the risk of a spark being created while the tool is in use . They protect against both fire and explosion in environments that may contain flammable liquids, vapors, dusts or residues. When working
Quite simply, yes! FJC has been providing quality air conditioning products, tools, equipment and refrigerants for over 25 years, and while we love to help DYIers save money, we would be negligent in our duty if we didn’t advise that there are certainly times an A/C tech is a preferred option. In most cases we
As part of his strategy against the Chinese “Made in China 2025” industrial policy, In July 2018 the Trump Administration placed $34 billion in tariffs on goods coming from China, prompting the Asian powerhouse to retaliate with an equal amount of tariffs on American imports. The rationale was to stop China from stealing Intellectual Property
You may have noticed that FJC uses the term “backflow preventer” when describing our refrigerant dispensing tools—can taps, U-charge hoses and Hoses with gauge. You may have also noticed that our competitors might use the term when discussing R-134a tools, but not when discussing R-1234yf tools. That’s because our R-1234yf tools are patented with this
Attention all automotive tradespeople: For three days in early November the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, NV will once again open its doors to targeted vendors and buyers from around the world. From November 5-7. take some time to visit AAPEX, a trade-only event that is the penultimate International Exhibition for the Automotive Industry.. AAPEX is co-owned
Car windows fog up when the temperatures inside and outside the car are very different. In other words, in the summer it happens when a windshield, cooled by cabin A/C, meets hot outside air. In the winter, by contrast, it happens when a windshield, heated by the cabin heater, meets the cold outside air. Therefore,
Short answer: No. Long answer: There is a reason FJC has never sold propane, ammonia, butane, or blends of them to use as refrigerants—because they are not safe. Propane , Butane, and Ammonia are highly flammable hydrocarbons. Here are several reasons to NEVER use highly flammable refrigerants in your vehicle: They’re illegal under the EPA’s
A question we hear often is, “How do I know how much refrigerant to add to my car’s A/C?” Stated simply, it depends. (1) It depends on the car. Most cars will hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant (or about 2-3 12oz cans), however larger vehicles and those with rear A/C will likely
If you haven’t had to recharge your automotive A/C in a while, you might be surprised to notice that your old can taps, hose and gauges, and other dispensing equipment don’t work on your new refrigerant can. No, this is not a plot by the A/C industry to force you to make additional purchases….in fact,
When you’re in the A/C business (like we are) the distinction between coolants (antifreeze) and refrigerants is abundantly clear. However, so many people ask us to distinguish between them that we’ve decided to set the record straight once and for all. While both systems utilize aspects of heat transfer, and both are involved in the heating,
Manifold Gauge Set Q & A What is an A/C manifold gauge set? An A/C manifold gauge set is a service tool which enables techs to keep a close eye on the pressure in an air conditioning system and regulate the refrigerant pressure flow. It is used to diagnose and correct an air conditioning unit
It’s tough to get away from the daily grind sometimes, but that doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial to our businesses or careers. We all know Trade Shows are great places to network and meet up with potential clients and vendors. However, many shows also offer a unique opportunity to learn and grow as an automotive
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FJC
101 Commercial Drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
FJC is a manufacturer and worldwide distributor of quality automotive air conditioning parts and service accessories.
